Do you need to wash dates before eating: how are they treated to extend their shelf life?

Dates are a healthy product that contains a lot of vitamins and microelements that remain in the composition even after long-term transportation and storage. However, if prepared and washed incorrectly, all the benefits may evaporate. And many people, in principle, do not wash dates if they buy them in their original packaging.

We will tell you how to properly prepare this product for serving.

Do I need to rinse dried dates?

Dried fruits go through a very long journey before reaching our table, during which few people monitor the purity of the fruits. In addition, we should not forget how the dates themselves are prepared: they are removed from the trees and dried. And in order to extend the shelf life of the product, after all the manipulations, the dates are additionally treated with edible wax, sugar syrup and sulfur dioxide.

That is why it is important to wash fruits thoroughly, otherwise healthy dates can become dangerous to our health.

Transportation of products

Since dates do not grow in Russia, they are imported for sale from abroad. The fresh shelf life is short, so they come to us in dried form. Since the product is supplied on a production scale, the drying process was accelerated. Proper preparation of dried fruits is carried out at a temperature of +35 degrees. In production, the delicacy is exposed to very high temperature conditions, as a result of which the presentation suffers, not to mention the decrease in beneficial properties.

To restore an attractive and appetizing appearance, dates are processed:

1. Soak in glucose solution and sugar syrup.
2. Treated with sulfur gas.
3. Edible wax and fat are applied, as a result of which the fruits acquire shine.

Attention! Since germs stick to sweets, it is important to wash the fruits properly.

Rules for processing dates before serving

The peculiarity of some dried fruits is that they absorb water and, as a result, lose their taste and appearance. It is for this reason that dates cannot be treated with boiling water: because of this, the skin cracks and the pulp “cooks”. As a result, dates lose their taste and benefits.

Rules for processing dried fruits:

1. Carefully sort the fruits, removing overdried, spoiled, damaged ones. And this is important to do even when purchasing dried fruits in original packaging.
2. Take a colander and a bowl of cold, clean water.
3. Rinse the dates as quickly as possible, in small volumes. Wash shiny dried fruits especially carefully, as this indicates waxing.

   
   You can also soak the dates for a couple of minutes (Photo: therealhealthything.com)

4. Place the washed dried fruits in a colander and rinse again in cold water.
5. Take a paper towel, spread the dates in one layer, cover with a paper napkin on top and leave for at least 12 hours.

Before serving, it is advisable to immediately remove seeds from the fruit. At the same time, you will check and sort those fruits that are infested with pests.

Washed and dried dates can be stored in hermetically sealed containers (preferably glass), placing them in a cool, dark place.

In what form are they sold?

Very rarely do dates arrive at the warehouse in packaging. Most often, deliveries are carried out in large quantities, and packaging into boxes is carried out on site. Dirt is not the only problem with dried fruits that go on sale. As a result of heat treatment and soaking in syrup, practically no beneficial properties remain. In addition, dates become overly sweet and there can be no talk of any low calorie content.

How to choose the right dates

Of course, it is important to wash dried fruits before eating, but you also need to choose them correctly for eating:

1. It is recommended to buy fruits with seeds, as they are subject to less heat treatment.
2. Ripe dates have a dark brown tint, uniform color, and no defects.
3. A high-quality product will be dry, since there is no moisture in dates. But if you see dried fruits sticking together, it means that the soaking in syrup was too long.
4. The fruits should not be hard or too soft, but must be whole. It is better to choose dates with a matte surface. If they shine, it means they have been treated with wax or fat.
5. If the product has been dried naturally, it will definitely be dry and slightly translucent.
6. A little stickiness is allowed as this is a release of natural sugar. If excessive stickiness is observed, this indicates that the product has begun to deteriorate and has been additionally treated with syrup.
7. If the fruit is wrinkled, then its shelf life was very long or it was not dried well enough.
8. The presence of white crystals indicates violated storage and transportation conditions.

Important! As you can see, the appearance of a product can say a lot about storage, preparation, and transportation.

To store clean fruits, use a paper bag, from which you take out the required amount before eating. Despite the attractiveness of dried fruits in the store, washing them is not only possible, but also necessary. It is enough to spend a little time and effort, and you will be sure that you have consumed a tasty, healthy and safe dried fruit.

Salad with red cabbage, dates and cheese

Ingredients:

• Red cabbage – 400 g
• Dates – 100 g
• Cheese cheese – 150 g
• Parsley – 0.25-0.5 bunch (to taste)
• Olive oil – 3 tbsp.
• Roasted sesame – 2 tbsp.
• Lemon juice – 1-2 tbsp.
• Salt - to taste
• Ground black pepper - to taste

Preparation:

1. Finely chop the red cabbage.
2. Remove the pits from the dates and chop the pulp
3. Place cabbage in a salad bowl. Mix well and mash with your hands so that the cabbage releases its juice.
4. Add 1 tbsp. lemon juice
5. Add diced cheese, dates, sesame seeds and finely chopped parsley
6. Add salt and pepper to taste
7. Add olive oil and mix everything
8. Salad with dates, red cabbage and cheese is ready.
9. You can let the salad brew, this will only make it tastier.

What are we buying?

Upon crossing the border, in accordance with sanitary regulations, the cargo is again treated with strong chemicals against biological threats. Then the goods are sent to food depots, where the first stage of pre-sale preparation is carried out.

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Fruits are exposed to the following types of influence:

• fumigation with sulfur dioxide;
• soaking in a concentrated glucose solution;
• immersion in sugar syrup;
• rubbing with vegetable oil or other fat;
• wax vapor treatment.

The applied substances give the product an attractive shine, but do not improve its quality.
Dirt and infection remain under the new coating. Stored dates become sticky, which contributes to the accumulation of dust, germs and spores during further transportation and sorting. The fruits are sold packaged in bags or by weight. It should be borne in mind that even very beautiful packaging does not guarantee the purity of the product. The only exceptions are products that have an inscription on the packaging stating that the fruits have been sanitized and cleaned.

If dried dates bought in bulk are not washed before use, this can lead to poisoning and disruption of the digestive system. In addition, the sweet substance applied to the skin of fruits disrupts metabolism and contributes to obesity.

For whom are dates contraindicated?

You should not eat dates, especially in large quantities, if you have the following diseases:

• obesity;
• diabetes mellitus type 2;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in the acute stage (especially colitis, diarrhea, flatulence);
• kidney diseases;
• the presence of an inflammatory process in the oral cavity (caries, periodontitis).

Dates should be consumed with caution:

1. Nursing mothers. Products with a high fiber content can cause colic in infants, and sweet dried fruits can provoke allergies.
2. Pregnant women, especially in the 1st trimester. Flatulence due to the consumption of dried fruits can provoke increased tone. However, moderate consumption of dates is very beneficial due to their high folic acid content.

Can dates make you fat?

Of course

, they are sweet and very high in calories. It all depends on how much you eat. If in moderation, then no. Well, of course, it’s not worth it in batches.

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Salad with dates and cabbage

Ingredients:

• White cabbage – 300 g
• Pitted dates - 70 g
• Celery – 2 stalks
• Carrots - 2 pcs.
• Olive oil - 4 tbsp. l.
• Sugar - 1 tbsp. l.
• Ground paprika - 1/2 tsp.
• Green onions - 50 g
• Cilantro - 4 sprigs
• Citric
• juice - from 1/2 pcs.
• Salt, ground black pepper - to taste

Preparation:

1. Finely chop the cabbage, cut the celery into slices, grate the carrots. Heat 2 tablespoons in a frying pan. spoons of butter, lightly brown the carrots, sprinkle with sugar and
2. paprika, mix and simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Cut the dates into rings, chop the onion and cilantro coarsely.
4. To make the sauce, mix the remaining butter with lemon juice, salt and pepper.
5. Mix cabbage, celery, dates, onions and cilantro with carrots. Pour over the prepared sauce and serve.

Harm and contraindications

In case of moderate and severe diabetes, you will have to give up dates, but in case of mild disease, they will be a good sugar substitute. Dried fruits provide energy and stimulate energy metabolism in cells. They can satisfy hunger, and their sugar levels do not rise quickly. If you have diabetes, you can eat no more than 5 pieces per day.

Dates are difficult and slow to digest, another reason to consume them in moderation. Uncontrolled consumption causes bloating, diarrhea, and sometimes allergies.

Pregnant women should eat them with caution. Not recommended in the early stages, dates stimulate the activity of the uterus.

Children can begin to be given pieces of the fruit starting at 2 years old.

Who shouldn't eat dates?

Almost 70% of them consist of sugars, so dates are not recommended for victims of diabetes, overweight and obese people. This is not the best choice for those who suffer from peptic ulcers and gastritis with high acidity. Dates contain coarse fibers that irritate the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines.

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Why are they useful?

Dried dates are a high-fiber, low-fat snack that makes them easy to digest and filling. Dried fruit contains 3 times more calories than fresh fruit. To get all the necessary elements, it is enough for an adult to eat 5-10 pieces a day, and for a child no more than 3 pieces.

Various medicinal properties are attributed to palm fruits:

1. Dates eaten before bed will relieve insomnia.
2. They contain the essential amino acid tryptophan, which is used in the body to produce serotonin. Serotonin is also known as the “happiness hormone”.
3. Soaking fruits in water overnight helps relieve constipation.
4. Strengthens the nervous system.
5. Beta-carotene present in the composition is considered an antioxidant that protects against premature aging.
6. The fiber in the product stimulates digestion and metabolism.
7. Normalizes cholesterol levels.
8. Helps lower blood pressure.

Benefits of dates

Dates have a rich composition. They contain vitamins K, A, folic acid, as well as large amounts of potassium (696 mg per 100 g of product), calcium (64 mg), phosphorus (62 mg) and magnesium (54 mg).

Do you like dates?

Not really

This composition determines the benefits of the fruit:

1. Have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Ensure uninterrupted functioning of the heart muscles. Cleanses blood vessels from cholesterol plaques. Remove excess fluid from the body, relieve swelling. Helps prevent heart attack and stroke.
2. Have a beneficial effect on intestinal function. Softens stools and promotes gentle bowel cleansing. They are a natural cure for constipation. Helps prevent intestinal cancer.
3. Helps strengthen teeth and bones.
4. Normalize the functions of the nervous system. Reduce muscle spasms and cramps. Reduce the manifestations of chronic fatigue, eliminate insomnia.

Dates successfully replace sugar and sugar-containing foods in the diet of those who are losing weight. However, despite the fact that eating dried fruits is healthier than eating industrial sweets, it is necessary to observe the measure due to the high calorie content of dates.

Reference. Eating 5-7 dried fruits daily by women for 2 weeks before menstruation can relieve menstrual pain.