People ate dates over 4,000 years ago. With their high carbohydrate content, they are an excellent source of healthy energy. When you think of dates, you probably think of dried fruit. But you can also eat fresh dates.
Due to the lower water content, the ingredients are much more concentrated in dried dates. Knowing the difference between fresh & dried dates can help you choose the right dates for your recipes.
The Difference
Fresh dates come in three different levels: extra soft, soft, and medium soft or medium dry. However, a medium-dry fresh date is not the same as a dried date. If you store fresh dates airtight and, in the refrigerator, they will last up to 8 months, in the fridge for over a year.
On the other hand, a dried date has been dehydrated through a drying process and has a lower water content than fresh dates. Dried dates last longer than fresh dates: in the refrigerator, hermetically sealed, up to a year, and in the cooler for up to 5 years.
Do Dry Dates Have More Calories?
Dried dates have more calories than fresh dates. 100g of dry dates have around 284 calories, and fresh dates have about 142 calories. Fresh dates are a better choice if you want to control your weight as they fill you up faster.
Fresh dates differ in their composition. Even if only slightly, they are lower in carbohydrates and fiber. 100g fresh dates contain approximately: 1.8g protein, 1g fat, 37g carbohydrates, and 3.5g fiber, with the same amount of dried dates containing around 2.8g protein, 0.6g fat, 76g carbohydrates, and 5g fiber.
Where fresh dates have a higher proportion of vitamin C, dried dates have higher amounts of calcium and iron in the summer. In comparison, 100g fresh dates have around 34mg calcium, 6mg iron, and 30mg vitamin C. In contrast, dry dates have 81mg calcium, 8mg iron, and 0mg vitamin C. Vitamin C is a volatile substance that is destroyed by heat and storage.
Which Dates Are Better Now?
Dates are probably enriching fruits that we should include in our diet. If you watch your weight, then you better supply your body with fresh dates. They keep you full longer, revitalize your body for a long time with essential nutrients and give you strength for your daily training.
If you want to gain weight, then dried dates that can be gotten at nutstop.com or any store are more beneficial. They have a higher proportion of carbohydrates and calories and help your body build up.
Always choose the variant that is best for you and your lifestyle and enjoy this incredibly delicious & healthy palm fruit!
