From Date

Yes, your choice really makes a difference. Every purchase of fair trade products provides additional income and support for farmers and their families. Over the past decades, Fair Trade organizations have helped many farming families escape extreme poverty by enabling higher incomes and investments in community projects, such as schools and medical centers.

You'll also put pressure on the market. The more consumers buy fair products, the greater the chance that more companies will change their practices. This way, you contribute to a broader movement toward fairer trade.

Fair-trade dates can be slightly more expensive because the farmer receives a larger share of the price. In conventional trade, a lot of margin goes to middlemen, or the lowest prices are negotiated, often at the expense of labor conditions.

Fair trade means paying a price that includes a living wage, environmentally friendly cultivation, and social security contributions. This is reflected in the retail price. Often, the difference isn't significant, even though you get a lot in return: a better product and the assurance that no one has been exploited. In a sense, regular dates are actually too cheap because the true costs, such as environmental damage and social impacts, aren't reflected in the price.

We believe things can be fairer and still be affordable. That's why we buy directly from the farmer, without any detours. Fewer middlemen means more income for the grower and lower costs for you. The result: honest, fresh dates at a fair price, with provenance and care for people and the environment.

That depends on your taste. Medjool is popular for its large size and soft, sweet texture. Sukkary is extremely sweet and mild. Ajwa is aromatic and less sweet. Our sampler pack is the best way to discover your favorite.

Dates are healthy when eaten in moderation. They contain fiber, minerals, and antioxidants, and no added sugars. They are high in calories due to the natural sugars, so don't eat too many. About 3 to 5 dates a day is a good part of a healthy diet.

Thanks to our resealable, airtight bags, you can simply store the dates in their original packaging after opening, in a cool, dry, and dark place (pantry). This way, they'll stay fresh for weeks. For extra freshness, they can also be stored in the refrigerator; let them come to room temperature before eating for the best flavor.

Check the packaging or product page for quality marks or origin information. For example, look for Fairtrade, Fair for Life, or other sustainable labels. Also read the stories on the brand's website. If it clearly explains which farmers or cooperatives they work with, that's a good sign.

You can also simply ask about the origin. At Van Dadel, we're happy to make it clear that our dates come from small-scale growers with whom we have personal agreements.

Make date paste by pureeing soft dates. Soak hard dates in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes. Drain, reserving the soaking water if necessary, and puree the dates in a food processor until smooth. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Date paste usually keeps for one to two weeks.

Date syrup is made by boiling dates in water, puréeing them, and straining them through a sieve. Then reduce the resulting liquid to a viscous syrup. This takes some time.

That depends on the recipe. Medjool dates are large, soft, and very sweet. They're ideal for smoothies, energy balls, fillings, or fancy baked goods. They're also handy for slicing and adding to cakes, cookies, or casseroles.

For date paste, you can use any soft date. If they're very dry, soak them briefly. In many cases, you can substitute different types; just be aware of the differences in sweetness and moisture content.

You can replace sugar with date paste, date syrup, or date sugar. As a guideline, you can replace 100 grams of sugar with about 100 grams of date paste or 100 milliliters of date syrup.

Do adjust the rest of the recipe. Date paste adds moisture, so use about 1/6 less of the other liquids. It might take a bit of experimentation, but many people love the result: a slightly darker and moister pastry with a light caramel flavor.

Dates contain a lot of natural sugars. People with diabetes should therefore use them with caution. The fiber in dates does cause a slower rise in blood sugar than regular sugar. Diabetics may occasionally enjoy a date or a few pieces in a meal, especially when combined with fiber and fat, but unlimited consumption is not recommended. If in doubt, always consult a doctor or dietitian.

Dates are usually not suitable for a low-carb diet, as even one medium-sized date contains quite a lot of carbohydrates. Dates are a concentrated source of carbohydrates.

Date energy balls can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator. They will keep for one to two weeks. Date bread or cake should be stored well-wrapped in a cool place. The sugar and moisture content will keep them nice and tender for about four to five days.

Store date cookies in a cookie jar at room temperature. They'll keep for about a week. Date paste should be refrigerated and will keep for about two weeks. You can also freeze it in portions. Freezing also works well for energy balls or cake slices, as long as they're sealed airtight.