I'm sure this has been asked many a time...raw dates?

[ciarac]

How do you know which dates are raw?

I'm living in barcelona and many a shop sells dates but i really don't know which ones are ok to eat and which are not?

Thanks**

[RawVee]

I've found the raw dates to be very sticky/gummy, and have their pits, usually. The non-raw ones (like the ones WF sells) are kind of harder, with almost a sugary shell to them, and are pitted.

[jeannieh99]

I've found the raw dates to be very sticky/gummy, and have their pits, usually. The non-raw ones (like the ones WF sells) are kind of harder, with almost a sugary shell to them, and are pitted.

Interesting, I thought all dates were raw. :eek:
Jeannie

[Veganforlife]

No, some are steamed, but we'd know. They look, shiny, or more like plastic. From what I've heard - we would definitely know if they were steamed.

[ciarac]

ok, so i should be looking for the kind of sticky ones with stones?
Great! They're the cheap ones!

[RawVee]

Lucy nailed it. The WF dates look like plastic. Blech. :)

[Veganforlife]

Yep.....!!!

[barose]

I get mine fresh at the farmers market. They are soft, sticky and gummy so I know they are raw for sure. At the store, they dont even look raw...

I go by feel and taste.

[chilove]

I believe that all dates are usually raw, including the ones at Whole Foods. The best thing to do though, just to be sure, is to ask. :-)

Blessings,

Audrey
www.rawhealing.com

[Antari]

Karen Knowler uses organic Medjool dates...........so I do too! :D

[RowanC]

Dates in Barcelona are most probably raw. They probably import them from the Middle East, and you're lucky because they're probably also organic.

I'd simply ask the grocer. But I bet they're fine.

OH I LOVE BARCELONA!

[RawVee]

I believe that all dates are usually raw, including the ones at Whole Foods. The best thing to do though, just to be sure, is to ask. :-)

Blessings,

Audrey
www.rawhealing.com

I'm quite sure the ones I bought are not. Raw dates maintain a great deal of moisture and soft outer skin. They usually are not pitted. When dates are steamed, they're pitted and the shell hardens and looks plastic or waxy. These dates are most definitely not like the raw Medjools I bought.

[andypdx]

I'm quite sure the ones I bought are not. Raw dates maintain a great deal of moisture and soft outer skin. They usually are not pitted. When dates are steamed, they're pitted and the shell hardens and looks plastic or waxy. These dates are most definitely not like the raw Medjools I bought.

I don't think you can lump all "WF dates" into one bucket. I've seen at least 5 different suppliers being sold at WF over varying time and location.

Some were raw. Some were not.

Don't bother asking WF about the rawness. Always ask the vendor/supplier.

[RawVee]

I don't think you can lump all "WF dates" into one bucket. I've seen at least 5 different suppliers being sold at WF over varying time and location.

Some were raw. Some were not.

Don't bother asking WF about the rawness. Always ask the vendor/supplier.

Good point, Andy. The ones I got were the specific "WF" dates in the bulk section.

[veganman]

Hi Ciarac

Dates can be tricky.

There are two large date sellers that sell to many health food stores that do steam their dates in order to add moisture and soften the sugar.

I buy directly from farmers where I know that they have not been frozen or steamed. Sometimes they are hard and dry (depending on type of date and time in the season) and sometimes they are soft and moist.

As Rawvee said, if they are pitted, they are steamed.

As Andy said, you need to check with the supplier.

Hope this helps! :)

[salsababy]

:confused: So if the dates are steamed, does that mean that they don't have a pit??? I get organic medjool dates at WF because they taste the best BUT they have a pit.

[veganman]

Hi salsababy -

sorry about the confusion.

Dates that are pitted are definitely steamed.

Dates with pits still in might be steamed, depending on the processor.


Does that help?


Drake

[salsababy]

Hi salsababy -

sorry about the confusion.

Dates that are pitted are definitely steamed.

Dates with pits still in might be steamed, depending on the processor.


Does that help?


Drake


Yeah, it does. I may end up looking at the Date People as I tend to use dates a lot. thanks.

[Davylp25]

Oasis Date company is good as well. Date People are out of dates I believe