The Date - A Healthy, Delicious Fruit

The date is a sweet, chewy fruit that has been a staple in Middle Eastern and Northern African cuisines for thousands of years. It can be eaten fresh or dried, or even eaten whole, as a sweet, savory snack or dessert. Dates are used in numerous Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines and are widely available in grocery stores and specialty markets.

The word date is related to the Greek word daktylos, which means finger or toe. Dates have also been associated with decreased risk of neurodegenerative diseases and improved cognitive performance in older adults. They are also known to reduce inflammation in the brain, which is essential in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease.

Dates have a long shelf life and can be stored for a long time. Dried dates contain more than 50 percent sugar, and contain only about two percent protein, fat, and mineral matter. Fresh dates will not lose flavor when they are dried, so they can be used for baking or snacking.

Dates are a healthy and delicious addition to a number of dishes. They have a high sugar content, which makes them ideal for baking, and they become sweeter as they mature. Look for dates that are wrinkled, plump, and have a glossy sheen. In cooking, dates can be used as a replacement for white sugar or honey in recipes.