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Dates are dry fruits that have many different health benefits. They have a sweet flavor, which makes them a great alternative to sugar when sweetening your smoothies and desserts. Dates taste best when they are able to retain their moisture, so storing them properly is critical. If you plan to eat your dates within a week, store them in an airtight container in your pantry. You can also use the fridge to store your dates for up to a year. If you bought your dates in bulk, or if you plan to use them at a later date, then store them in the freezer.
Steps
Storing for Immediate Use
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1Place your dates in an airtight container. Glass or plastic tupperware works well. Pack the dates as tightly as you want to in the container.[1]
- Alternatively, place the dates in a resealable plastic bag. Squeeze out the air and seal the bag.
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2Store semi-dry dates at room temperature. Place the dates in the pantry, or on your kitchen counter. Make sure they are out of direct sunlight if you place them on the counter. Store them away from the stove and oven as well.[2]
- Deglet Noor and Zahidi dates are considered semi-dry dates.
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3Place soft dates in the fridge. Unlike semi-dry dates, soft dates are not cured before they are picked. To keep their flavor and freshness, store them in the fridge.[3]
- Medjool, Khadrawy, Halawy, and Barhi are examples of soft dates.
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4Eat the dates within a week for the best flavor. The dates will not go bad after a week. They actually have a very long shelf life, up to 1 month, if stored at room temperature in an airtight container. However, the intensity of their flavor decreases the longer they sit on the shelf.
- As the dates continue to dry, white spots may form on or beneath the skin. These are sugar crystals. You can dissolve the sugar crystals with low heat.
- If you notice a rotten smell, discoloration, or a loss of flavor, then the dates have expired.
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5Store the dates in the fridge for a year. Place your dates in the fridge. You can store dates in the fridge for up to a year if you need to. The fridge will keep your dates tasting fresh for whenever you feel like eating some.
- Semi-dry dates may last longer in the fridge than soft dates.
Freezing Dates for Later Use
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1Place the dates in a freezer bag. Squeeze the air out of the bag before sealing it. Alternatively, use an airtight container like plastic or glass tupperware. When you are packing the dates in the container, leave 1 centimetre (0.39 in) of headspace to allow for expansion once they freeze.[4]
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2Place the bag in the deepest part of the freezer. This way, the dates will freeze faster, locking in their freshness and flavor. Storing dates in the freezer is a great way to go if you plan to use them at a much later date, or if you are unsure when you will be using them.[5]
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3Take the dates out of the freezer 3 hours before using them. This way, the dates will have enough time to thaw before you eat them or use them in a recipe. The dates should taste exactly as they did the day you bought them.[6]
- If you need to use them right away, soak the dates in a bowl of hot water. They should be soft and ready to use within 30 minutes.
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4Store the dates in the freezer for up to 3 years or more. Dried fruits, like dates, can last in the freezer for many years if they are sealed properly. Make sure to store your dates in an airtight container to avoid freezer burn.[7]
- If after taking your dates out of the freezer, you notice discoloration, loss of flavor, or a rotten smell, then they have expired.
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5Finished.
Community Q&A
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QuestionIs there any sodium in dates?
Community AnswerNo, which makes them an ideal snack for people with blood pressure issues. -
QuestionAre dates high in sugar or carbohydrate?
Community AnswerYes, dates are high in sugar and carbohydrates. They are made up of about 30% sugar and each date is about 6% of your daily value of carbohydrates. -
QuestionI am a diabetic and love dates but cannot eat as many as I would care to. Is there a way I could remove the sugar?
KateyKateCommunity AnswerUnfortunately, the sugar in dates is a natural sugar that the date produces as it grows. There is not a way to remove that sort of sugar.
References
- ↑ https://foodal.com/knowledge/things-that-preserve/how-to-store-dates/
- ↑ https://foodal.com/knowledge/things-that-preserve/how-to-store-dates/
- ↑ https://foodal.com/knowledge/things-that-preserve/how-to-store-dates/
- ↑ http://myhalalkitchen.com/know-your-dates-to-enjoy-them-fully/
- ↑ https://foodal.com/knowledge/things-that-preserve/how-to-store-dates/
- ↑ http://myhalalkitchen.com/know-your-dates-to-enjoy-them-fully/
- ↑ https://www.eatbydate.com/fruits/dried-fruit-shelf-life-expiration-date/
- ↑ http://naturalsociety.com/health-benefits-of-dates-7-reasons-eat-date-fruit/
About This Article
The right way to store dates depends on when you plan on eating them. If you want to eat the dates within 1 week, simply place them in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. If the dates are semi-dry, such as the Deglet Noor or Zahidi varieties, keep the container at room temperature and out of direct sunlight. Keep soft dates, such as Medjool dates, in a container in the fridge. If you don’t want to eat the dates straight away or if you have many to store, use a freezer bag and keep them in the freezer for up to 3 years. Simply remove the dates from the freezer 3 hours before you want to eat them so there is enough time for them to thaw. For more information on storing dates, like how to store dates in the fridge for up to 1 year, read on!
