Medjool Dates – Jordan’s Famous Dates

Medjool dates are the ultimate snack out there, right? They not only taste amazing, but are full of benefits as well. You can easily add them to all kinds of sweet and savory dishes and end up enjoying their amazing taste.

Moreover, did you know there are over 1500 different date varieties all over the world? All of them are grown in warm climates. Dates are well known in the Middle East and are one of the most popular ones due to their incredible size, texture as well as incredible flavor.

These are known to be as a fresh fruit. They are harvested from date palm, and then they are cleaned and packed. The process includes no processing at all and they are never dried physically or even chemically.

When we talk about their taste, they taste like caramel. Moreover, they have a chewy texture as well. These incredible dates are grown in date palm trees and a single tree takes up to 7 years to start producing.

The History of Medjool Dates

These dates originated in Morocco. It is known that about 11 Medjool date plans were brought from Morocco to Nevada in the year 1927. They were planted in Yuma in 1940’s. It is also known they about six of eleven trees are still standing and producing in the Yuma date gardens. Hard to believe, right? These trees are called ‘BIG SIX’.

Why Medjool Dates from Jordanian Farms Are the Best Choice Among Others?

Medjool dates are grown along the western border of Jordan. This is also where the Jordan River is situated. They are grown all the way down to the Wadi Araba. The thing about this place is that the area provides the perfect climate that is needed for Medjools to grow. Not many countries around the world have this climate; this is why Jordanian Medjool dates are known for their original taste.

Moreover, most of the palm date trees in Jordan are of Medjool dates. It is known that Jordan planted about 300,000 trees of Medjool dates in 2015 that ended up providing 15,000 tons of dates. The sizes of the farms consist of hundreds to thousands of trees.

You find the finest Medjool dates in Jordan that come from farms that have unique locations. The perfect location and the climate of the dates give them a great color, texture as well as taste. Jordanian farms are known all over the world for producing some delicious Medjool dates that people love. Foreigners who visit Jordan make sure to purchase these and carry them back to their homeland.

Nutrients Present Inside Medjool Dates

Medjool dates are known to be full of incredible nutrients. 2 dates include:

- Carbs: 36 grams

- Fiber: 3.2 grams

- Calories: 133

- Protein: 0.8 grams

- Sugar: 32 grams

- Fat: 0 grams

- Calcium: 2%

- Iron: 2%

- Potassium: 7%

- Copper: 19%

- Vitamin B6: 7%

- Magnesium: 6%

(Calcium- Magnesium % written of the DV)

What Are the Benefits of Medjool Dates?

Medjool dates are known to be one of the most beneficial dates out there. They come with some incredible health benefits mentioned down below.

• They Protect Your Heart

One of the biggest benefits of Medjool dates is that they end up protecting your heart. This is due to the fiber as well as antioxidants present inside the dates.

Fiber is known for lowering one’s cholesterol and ends up keeping your arteries cleans. This ultimately reduces the risk of heart diseases. Did you know just two Medjool dates contain over 3 grams of fiber? Unbelievable, right?

Moreover, a study also found out that Medjool lowered one’s LDL cholesterol. This is known as the bad cholesterol in one’s body. The study also concluded that it also prevents the buildup of plaque in one’s arteries. The thing about plaque is that it can even block one’s blood flow that leads to a heart attack or a stroke.

Moving on, these dates are also a source of antioxidants. These helps fight any damage that may be caused by the unstable molecules that are known as free radicals. The dates contain phenolic acid as well as carotenoid antioxidants that can-do wonders to ones heart health.

- Great for Digestion

Now, we all know fiber is important for digestion, right? They promote healthy digestion as well as bowel regularity. If you consume a good amount of fiber each and every day, you won’t face constipation. Moreover, it also ends up reducing the risk of digestive diseases. One of the major one includes colorectal cancel.

A study that involved 21 people for 3 weeks found out that the People who ate 7 dates everyday improved their bowel movement frequency, in comparison with people who didn’t eat dates at all.

- They Are Rich in Antioxidants

The thing about these dates is that they have lots of antioxidants. These ends up protecting one’s cells from oxidative damage. This can eventually lead to cancer, heart diseases, brain ailments and more.

Medjool dates include acids like carotenoids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and more. These are known to come with anti cancer, brain protective as well as anti-inflammatory properties. This is what makes these dates even better. When compared with figs and prunes, Medjool dates are known to be the highest in antioxidants.

- Great Source Of Energy

Do you feel tired throughout the day? Don’t feel like doing anything at all? Simply add Medjool dates to your diet. These act as a natural fuel for your body. This is due to the amount of carbs they come with in just a small serving. These carbs act as a source of energy for your body and end up keeping you energized throughout the day.

- Perfect for Bone Health

Medjool dates come with small amount calcium. Moreover, they are also known to be a great source of potassium, manganese, as well as copper. All of these incredible nutrients combined are perfect for one’s bone health. They make sure to keep your bones healthy and smart which hare perfect for you. Great for someone who suffered from a bone injury or anything of that sort!

- They Protect Your Brain Health

Another great benefit of Medjool date is that they protect your brain health. This is due to the fact that they reduce plaque and come with antioxidants that lower levels of inflammatory markers. This is what makes Medjool dates great for brain health and prevent conditions like the Alzheimer’s disease and more.

How to Add Medjool Dates to Your Diet?

These delicious dates are quite versatile and can easily be added to one’s diet. Have a look at some of the most amazing ways down below;

• Ditch Sugar: Ditch sugar and add Medjool dates when baking. They are as sweet as sugar, however form with fewer calories. Moreover, they are rich in fiber, minerals as well as vitamins. This is how they can end up benefiting one a lot.

• Add in Smoothies: Love a fresh smoothie? Add Medjool dates to your diet and blend them in with some bananas, frozen yogurt and enjoy. Strawberry and banana smoothies taste divine; however, adding Medjool dates to them will enhance their taste in no time. Make yourself a smoothie enriched with nutrients with Medjool dates!

• Perfect for Salads: Did you know these dates are perfect for salad? Mix these up with some citrus and make yourself a sweet and sour salad. You can even use them as salad dressing and end up having dirk healthy food that comes with lots of nutrients just for you.

• Snack: Open up the dates, add some jam, cheese or peanut butter and enjoy having a great snack. Moreover, you can even add grains of cooked rice that are a treat for your taste buds.

Perfect for when you have guests over. Your guests will definitely enjoy.

• Desserts: You can make yourself an incredibly delicious desert with Medjool dates. Simply make yourself a cake or even a brownie with Medjool dates. Moreover, you can even use them for no bake deserts such as pie crusts, energy balls, chocolate bars and more.

Simply store your dates in a cool dry place and have them whenever you’re in mood of a great desert. You can even serve them to your guests that your guests will look e for sure. They are a delicious source of daily nutrients that your body requires.

Wrapping It Up

Medjool dates are popular all over the world, especially in Jordan. People love them for their incredible taste and they come with lots of incredible benefits as well. This is due to the fact that they are enriched with all the necessary nutrients a human being needs. You can easily add them to your diet in some of the methods mentioned above. Trust me, they will end up being quite convenient for you and will keep your health intact in numerous ways. 

e-FRESCO is online portal the support Jordanian Farmers to Export Medjool Date. 

written by Ammar Alshami MSC CSME CFA PMP

E-FRESCO founder 

ammar@e-fresco.com