As if I wasn't enough in love with Medjool dates already.
This blog is chock full of recipes featuring dates, from muffins and bites to smoothies and smoothie bowls. They're my go-to natural sweetener for a variety of reasons. First, they're the perfect little package of 16 vitamins and minerals, naturally-occurring sugar, fiber, potassium (50% more potassium by weight than a banana), and phytonutrients all working symbiotically. Unlike sugary processed snacks that spike your blood sugar like crazy, dates have more slowly-digesting carbohydrates to help power you through your day. Plus, they taste like a chewy little dream!
Being able to experience the majestic date gardens in the Bard Valley of Yuma, Arizona with Natural Delights was a truly unforgettable experience. I got to meet amazing bloggers, eat chef-inspired meals in the date fields under the stars, explore the date groves and packaging plants, paint date trees, and discover the historic town of Yuma. Before this trip, I didn't even know that Medjool dates are actually a fresh fruit! I always thought they were dried like raisins.
Dates are never physically or chemically dried; rather, they dry naturally as part of the aging process. They're about 20% water, double that of raisins. The best part is that they're not perishable so they last for months. To plump them back up, simply put them in warm water, wipe them with a damp towel, or microwave them for five seconds. They'll last even longer if you store them in the refrigerator or freezer.
The growers of Medjool dates are like a big family. I spent a lot of time with Gus, Dave, and Glen, three of the main growers. There are only a handful of them, making the whole process all the more personal. One of the coolest things I learned about growing Medjool dates is that there are never any pesticides or herbicides used on the trees. The groves are actually all farmed organically (they just don't have the USDA organic certification).
The dates start off light green, then turn to yellow, and then turn to brown. There can be up to 2,000 workers at a time thinning the trees (or else the dates would be the size of marbles) and getting them ready for harvest. The trees are only harvested three to four times during the growing season.
They're super moist and incredible right from the tree, and then they dry out a bit as they sit. When I laid mouth on a date fresh from the tree, I said "oh my god" at least six times and then proclaimed that it was the best thing I had ever ate. I was not lying.
There are six original date trees, all of which came from Morocco in 1927. They thrive in the dry heat of Yuma, Arizona, which has a climate similar to the Middle East. Over thousands of years ago, the Colorado river flooded the land, leaving the soil super rich.
Natural Delights will harvest close to 25 million pounds of dates this year! The packaging process was really amazing to see. The dates are graded based on a variety of factors, mainly size. Every package of dates is hand-touched. It was the cleanest, most personal, and precise packaging process I've ever seen.
Watching the workers create the Coconut Date Rolls by hand was unbelievable. If you haven't tried these yet, you're in for a real treat! They have the soft and gooey texture of a brownie and the caramely flavor of date. They only have two ingredients--dates and coconut.
Now when I buy Medjool dates at the store, I will think of them in completely different way. I will think about Gus and Glen and the other growers. I will think about the beautiful trees and the hard-working men and women that harvest them. I will think of the simplicity of this power fruit and the love that goes into harvesting each and every one.
Until next time, Yuma!
Disclosure: I was invited on an expense-paid trip to Arizona by Natural Delights. I was not asked nor compensated to write this post. All opinions are my own.
run 3 says
Great, travel and eat fresh fruit is clean what is equal. Thanks for sharing
Josh @ Whole Fresh Dates says
Living in Yuma for a year now you would never think that just on the other side of the river is Medjool Mecca. Natural Delights is the trademark brand of DatePac. A great company that provides Yumans over 150 jobs and owns over 70% of the market share in the US. In January they put on a Datefestival...very fun
Karen says
Jaffee Brothers in Valley Center has dates and many other organic treats. Indio has the sex life of the date and you can get date shakes; watch a video and experience the date festival.
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
This was so fascinating! I had no idea dates were a fresh fruit either. And I LOVE the fact that they're farmed organically. It's too bad the USDA makes it so expensive and time consuming for farmers to obtain that certification, otherwise I'm sure they would have it.
The whole trip sounds like it was a blast!
Alexis says
It was such a game-changer! True dat about organic farming...it's not fair to the little guys.
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
That sounds like such a fun trip!! I'm glad you enjoyed it 🙂 I love dates, because they're so versatile! Smoothies, protein bars, muffins... love 'em 🙂
Alexis says
It was a pretty unique experience! Now I'm more excited than ever to put them in EVERYTHING.
Lauren says
This looks like such an amazing experience. I had no idea they were a fresh fruit - mind blown. I bet the ones fresh off the tree were ridiculously good!
Alexis says
They nearly took my breath away!! SO good.
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says
Looks like so much fun! You were practically in my backyard. Yuma is just a few hours from me in Phoenix and I had no idea they grew dates there!
Alexis says
It's funny because even people in Yuma didn't know about the dates growing there!
Catherine @ foodiecology says
So jealous! I go through phases, but right now I'm obsessed with dates. Love grabbing one to satisfy my sweet tooth (instead of candy). Sounds like a fantastic trip!
Alexis says
I'm in a permanent date-loving phase 🙂
Kaylin@EnticingHealthyEating says
I had no idea dates dried naturally on their own and that's why they get all wrinkly! They're just like humans in that regard I suppose, ha! I've really started to enjoy more dates over the past year. I never knew how great they were, man was I missing out.
Alexis says
Hahah you're so right--I love the human comparison.
dixya | food, pleasure, and health says
wha a great experience. this makes me want to make something with dates right now,.
Alexis says
It was fascinating!