Dry Dates

Dates are nuggets of nutrition that satisfy a sweet tooth, making them ideal snacks to stave off hunger. Dates are easily digestible and since they contain simple sugars, they provide instant energy.

Dates are among the most ancient of fruits, cultivated since centuries, from Mesopotamia to pre-historic Egypt. Loaded with fibre, both soluble and insoluble, dates are able to fill you up and keep your bowel habits regular. They are an excellent source of potassium and provide numerous other important vitamins and minerals- quite a powerhouse packed in a tiny, portable package.

True, dates provide more calories than most fruits, but they make a great substitute for processed sweets, like candy, to help you stick to your weight-loss routine. They are a healthy snack low in fats and cholesterol and high in carbohydrates, dietary fibre and minerals. Adding dates to home-baked breads, cakes, muffins, and cookies adds richness and nutrition to otherwise ordinary recipes.

Dried dates can be eaten raw and used in a variety of products like cakes, sweets, marzipans, puddings, bread etc. Dates can even be used in cookies, ice-cream or candy bars. Dates are sometimes used to make pickles as well. Dried dates can be "plumped" with a little warm water, fruit juice, or some wine. To slice or chop dates, chill them first. The colder they are, the easier they are to slice. Chopped or slivered, dates can be sprinkled on many side dishes.