More than simply a sweet treat dates are a healthy fruit that has numerous advantages, ranging from improving digestion health to helping prevent chronic illnesses and aiding with the natural process of labor induction.
As per Dietitian registered Katherine Basbaum, “Dates are a nutrient powerhouse, each one packed with natural sugars, dietary fibers, and a battery of antioxidants and essential vitamins and minerals like B6, potassium, and iron.”
The high nutrient content is a great choice for snacks and meals, infusing the food with flavor without introducing excessive calories.
Today, we’re looking at this fruit that is versatile to show what it tastes like, and present ten ways to enjoy dates that will delight your taste buds!
What Do Dates Taste Like?
One of the best ways to appreciate the flavor of dates is to imagine them as natural sweets. Sweet dates are a fresh fruit that has a soft, chewy texture, which makes for an enjoyable mouthfeel.
Medjool or Deglet Noor dates are the two most commonly used types that are available, with Medjool often regarded as one of the top dates to eat due to its size and flavor which earned it the title of”the King” of Dates.
The flavor of a Medjool date is rich and sweet similar to a mixture of caramel, honey cinnamon as well as brown sugar. There is also the scent of vanilla within the taste profile. Some dates might be slightly smokey or nutty flavor. Stuffed dates usually have delicious fillings such as blue cheese for instance that provide a sharp flavor that is sure to please your palates.
A lot of people enjoy having dates for themselves however even if you’re not fond of sweet treats, read on for ideas and recipes about how you can make dates taste better.
Top 10 Drool-Worthy Ways To Eat Fresh Dates
The way you eat the dates depends on personal preference However, certain combinations are distinctive. Below, we offer our top suggestions and recipes to make your meals more flavorful by incorporating dates to create a delicious and mouth-watering taste.
1. Mix in tarts with protein powder to help with recovery
Mix a handful of chopped dates and protein powder in this essential lime pie “recovery” bites recipe for an ideal post-workout meal. Katherine Basbaum agrees, “Dates are high in antioxidants, and including them with protein powder in your recovery bites can help strengthen immune function and protect your cells.”
2. Add them to fruitcakes that are bite-sized
The natural, chewy sweetness of dates will enhance your fruitcake experience! It’s the best thing about it is that you are in control of how sweet it is. You can add just some dates for the hint of caramel or pour a cup of it for a more consistent flavor.
This is a gluten-free, high-fiber Christmas fruitcake recipe that includes chopped dates, which we love.
3. Drizzled over overnight oats that have been soaked in coffee
This coffee-soaked oatmeal recipe topped with a salted caramel date drizzle is among our top recipes. The bitterness of coffee and the overnight oats perfectly match the sweetness of the date which makes this the ideal stand-alone treat or tasty breakfast treat.
4. In your morning smoothie, mix it with
Fresh dates add an aroma of caramel to smoothies, adding sweetness and a smooth texture, without overpowering the taste and helping to ensure that your smoothies are healthy. Mangos and strawberries pair well with dates, however, our favorite is the banana-date smoothie recipe that includes almond milk.
Include an oatmeal breakfast cookie with less than 130 calories in your breakfast smoothie to make it the ultimate reward!
5. As a secret ingredient in salads that are unique
There is nothing that lets you test your culinary possibilities and explore the flavors of a salad as much as a salad. What better way to sway your guests and entice your taste buds than to add dates to your favorite recipes? Sprinkles of dates add an unexpected sweetness and the fruit pairs well with leafy greens for savory dressings.
Dates and cheese are a perfect match. Therefore, salads that have a more intense dairy flavor, like the pear and date and walnut salad topped with blue cheese are a good alternative to include dates as a hidden ingredient.
6. Stuffed with sweet potatoes and other varieties of food items
One of the great aspects of dates is that they can be mashed into a paste, and used to stuff different foods. You are also able to stuff them with various ingredients! Sweet potatoes are a great ingredient to stuff dates with as shown in this recipe that is unique.
7. In your energy bars, you can find it
If you’ve ever made the energy bar by yourself, then you understand why people who make them tend to never return to the store-bought variety.
Apart from the joy of making your own fuel, there’s also the benefit of knowing the amount in each component you’ve added. For instance, this pecan and date recipe is loaded full of energy, and contains 2 grams of fiber to provide energy-efficient fueling, while adding the calories of 92 to your daily calorie intake.
8. Threaded with lamb Kabobs
You’re not aware of the full possibilities of dating if you thought they were just good when served with sweets.
A common ingredient in Middle Eastern cuisine, these lamb kabobs stuffed with dates and apples could be among our top choices. Because the dates and apples caramelize, they go well with the meat and produce the flavor that we describe as orchestral.
9. As a crucial ingredient in wraps
Like salads, what you can put in the wrap is limited only to your own imagination. What better way to spice up your wrap than adding a sprinkle of chopped dates to add some sweetness to your lunch or breakfast wrap?
As an example, add some in this Greek wrapped in roasted red pepper to enhance the flavorful flavors, and add the perfect sweetness and lightness.
10. Mixed in large bowls
If you’re mixing them into the form of a delicious meal bowl for breakfast or a tasty recipe of chickpea dish that includes almond curry sauce and cauliflower eating dates is an excellent method to add flavor and nutrients to your food in a single swipe!
Make larger pieces for an explosion of flavor that offers contrast, or mix them together to create a constant, even flavor. A hint of sweetness can be added to balance the flavors.
FAQs
What do new dates appear like?
You can tell when dates are new by their shiny, plump look and silky skin. Colors range from bright red and yellow to diverse colors of amber. Fresh dates are soft and moist, with a smoky appearance in comparison to dried versions of the tasty fruit.
What does Medjool date have a taste?
Medjool dates have a soft chewy texture, and an intense, caramel-like sweetness. A great way to describe their distinctive flavor is to say that they are a mix of cinnamon, honey, and caramel, with some vanilla or brown sugar.
What is the flavor of dates as a drink?
Incorporating dates into smoothies can bring the natural sweetness and the caramel taste without overpowering other flavors. Due to the natural sugars in dates, they are an excellent choice to add sweetness. They go particularly well with banana or strawberry smoothies.