Deglet Noor Dates
Estimated Inventory, 15 lbs : 0
Description/Taste
Deglet Noor dates are narrow, elongated, oval shaped fruits that weigh between 6 and 12 grams each. Their skin ranges in color from straw yellow to amber with a slightly translucent exterior. Deglet Noor dates’ texture is semi-dry and often described as having a slight snappy crunch. Their skin feels firm and shriveled but gives way to a flesh that has a soft, chewy, and sticky texture. Compared to Medjool dates, they have less sugar but offer a complex sweetness with a nutty finish likened to browned butter and cashews.
Seasons/Availability
Deglet Noor dates are harvested in the fall and available year-round.
Current Facts
Deglet Noor dates are known botanically as Phoenix dactylifera and are from the Arecaceae, or date palm, family. Of the three classifications of dates, which are dry, semi-dry, and soft, Deglet Noors are of the semi-dry type. This variety originated in Algeria and is one of the most popular varieties in the United States and Tunisia. Within Tunisia, Deglet Noor makes up about 60% of the country's date production. They are often compared to another popular date, the Medjool, but have a smaller size and darker color. The word Deglet comes from the Maghrebi Arabic term for date, while Noor means light or bright. This combination of words refers to the translucent golden hue of the dates and the glow they produce when held up to the light.
Nutritional Value
Deglet Noor dates are a notable source of biotin, which supports healthy skin, hair, and nails, and plays a crucial role in energy metabolism. Thiamin and riboflavin are important for converting food into energy and maintaining proper nerve function. Vitamin B6, found in these dates, is essential for brain health and helps in the production of neurotransmitters and red blood cells. Niacin aids in digestion, helps maintain healthy skin, and supports the nervous system. Additionally, pantothenic acid is involved in synthesizing hormones and cholesterol, as well as in the metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.
Applications
Deglet Noor dates are often used for baking due to their mild sweetness and firm consistency. They may be added to to breads, cookies, and cakes. This variety is also frequently chopped into salads, pilafs, rice bowls, stuffing, oatmeal, and granola. Deglet Noor dates are the preferred variety for manufacturing date sugar, an alternative sweetener for baked goods, coffee, and tea. Complimentary flavors include nuts, chocolate, coffee, goat cheese, maple syrup, cinnamon, coconut, orange, bananas, apricots, brandy, rum, bacon, pork, and poultry. They may be stored for up to ten months.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Deglet Noor is an Arabic date variety that’s frequently produced in Tunisia, the northernmost country in Africa. The primary language of this country is Arabic, but many people also speak French due to its history as a French colony, from which it gained independence in 1956. Within this country, most of the date production takes place in the regions of Kebili and Djerid in Southern Tunisia. Their dates are primarily exported to the United States, Russia, and Malaysia.
Geography/History
Deglet Noor dates are thought to have originated in the 17th century near Touggourt, Algeria in the Sahara. They grow in arid and semi-arid climates with hot summers and mild winters. Deglet Noor dates are a cultivated variety that is not found in the wild but is often cultivated in home gardens and produced on a large commercial scale. This variety was brought to Tunisia in the 16th century and found its way to the United States in the early 1900s when it was introduced into California and Arizona. They are still widely cultivated in these states, where they are available in markets and grocery stores, with Deglet Noor varieties comprising the vast majority of date crops in California.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Deglet Noor Dates. One
is easiest, three is harder.Podcasts
