What kind of dates do you use?

[Linda1970]

Hello,

For most of your recipes, what kind of dates do you use? Medjool, Deglet, Halawi, Khadrawi, there are so many varieties....

[Cinnamon]

I use Medjool dates, they are so caramel like! I find their softness and rich flavor perfect for all the desserts I make. Although I've not tried any other types of dates, well I did get Deglet one time but found them to be a bit on the dry side. I don't know if they are always like that though.

[Eilene]

I always use Medjool. In my opinion...they are the best!

[Rawkinlocs]

Medjool...always soft and delicious!

[Nini]

I prefer Medjools. But if I am making a recipe that calls for a large amount I use whatever date is the cheapest at that time!

[Rawkinlocs]

I prefer Medjools. But if I am making a recipe that calls for a large amount I use whatever date is the cheapest at that time!

Yeah, me too Nini...I do prefer Medjool, but sometimes the budget calls for something a little lighter on the pocket!

[exurb]

...I do prefer Medjool, but sometimes the budget calls for something a little lighter on the pocket!

Rawkinlocs, I don't know if they carry these in the U.S. or if they're just in Canada, but we have these dates, Parnoosh brand, they come in a small or large tub, available at the most average of grocery stores. They are not medjool per se, but they have the most amazing taste and softness just like the medjool, but they look more like the brown dates (I forget what they're called). They're great, and very inexpensive.

The reason I'm thinking you might not have them there is that they're product of Iran, so I'm thinking that along with those yummy Cuban cigars I enjoy here maybe they're something that politics prevents south of the border? maybe not? The importer is in Ontario, so maybe it's an east coast thing also.

They work out just less than $2 a pound Canadian on the large tub. If you see them I totally recommend them. Always soft and delicious too, just like those medjools! They're so amazingly fresh, I've never had medjools that fresh. I actually stopped buying medjools because I prefer the Parnoosh.

[Sarah Elizabeth]

Medjool all the way! Mmmm, they're soft and yummy...great in all the recipes I've tried with them, too :D

[maryonherway]

I've been buying my medjool dates at Whole Foods, but have noticed that 1/4 to 1/2 of them have worms in them (glad I check 'em before eating!) Do you guys have that problem too, or is it just my store with the problem? At the price of medjools, I hate throwing out so many of them....

[Queen Shelley]

The season is just starting now. The dates are covered with huge brown paper cones as they finish ripening. So the store bought ones are from long time storage. I get deglit noir at our grocery, $2.32 lb. But hoping to get some soon from daughter in law who lives in Palm Springs...she cleans house for a date farmer! Yahoo. At the swap meet there they have PILES of dates on the tables, several kinds. Some are called 'Blondies'. There are moist, dry and in between. I soak about 25 in a jar and keep them in the frige ready to use.

Oh, ya....it will be citrus season soon too. Prices drop and the great stuff will be available soon! :rolleyes:

[Linda1970]

I've been buying my medjool dates at Whole Foods, but have noticed that 1/4 to 1/2 of them have worms in them (glad I check 'em before eating!) Do you guys have that problem too, or is it just my store with the problem? At the price of medjools, I hate throwing out so many of them....

Are you serious? I just ate 10 medjool dates from Whole Foods without checking.

[Coriander74]

I usually get organic california dates (I think ) at Sprouts... but this time I picked up Deglet.

I'm so used to them being pitted that I put them straight into the processor. LOL. 'Nuff said. Talk about a racket and a good two cups of wasted dates.

[rawpriestess]

I use medjool, I've tasted many others, and they each have a different taste, but I prefere medjool, big soft, sweet, chewy, gooey, datey.


I will use the honey ones in a pinch, but I prefere the medjools.

I have never had any of them have worms or bugs in them, definitely take them back, and get a refund, the manager will want to know about this.

[Linda1970]

Thanks everyone for your input. I want to know this so I know what kind of dates to order to make recipes such as RP's brownies.

[faith4u]

I use the Halawi. Mine taste just as soft and sweet as the Medjool and they are cheaper to boot. :D

[allgirls]

Rawkinlocs, I don't know if they carry these in the U.S. or if they're just in Canada, but we have these dates, Parnoosh brand, they come in a small or large tub, available at the most average of grocery stores. They are not medjool per se, but they have the most amazing taste and softness just like the medjool, but they look more like the brown dates (I forget what they're called). They're great, and very inexpensive.

The reason I'm thinking you might not have them there is that they're product of Iran, so I'm thinking that along with those yummy Cuban cigars I enjoy here maybe they're something that politics prevents south of the border? maybe not? The importer is in Ontario, so maybe it's an east coast thing also.

They work out just less than $2 a pound Canadian on the large tub. If you see them I totally recommend them. Always soft and delicious too, just like those medjools! They're so amazingly fresh, I've never had medjools that fresh. I actually stopped buying medjools because I prefer the Parnoosh.

They are honey dates...I too prefer them :D

[Shona]

One of my local grocery stores currently has Medjool dates for .99 a package. I'll have to buy some the next time I go shopping. :)

[maryonherway]

maryonherway, granted I don't buy them often. However I have never gotten worms in them. I always split them and remove the pit so am sure I'd notice that. Sounds to me like they are old or have been open in the store to flys. You really should tell the manager at the Whole Foods where you got them. That way they can remove them from stock.

Teri S
I was at Whole Foods today and told the manager about the dates (couldn't return them, as they were long-gone into the garbage disposal). He confirmed there should be no bugs, gave me a container of dates to take home and test. I'm supposed to check them out, then get back to him if I find bugs. In the meantime, they are advising the vendor. He said the store goes through their supply pretty quickly, so he suspects the suppliers product may be old. Thanks for your advice Teri!

[eatyourbroccoli]

medjool..

yummmyyy! :D

[mandarin honey]

I've only used medjools because that's what I had access to. I would like to try other types.



I've been buying my medjool dates at Whole Foods, but have noticed that 1/4 to 1/2 of them have worms in them (glad I check 'em before eating!) Do you guys have that problem too, or is it just my store with the problem? At the price of medjools, I hate throwing out so many of them....

I've found bugs in mine also. I always cut them open before I use them and I've found the bugs in a small amount of them. :eek: