Date paste will give your cookies and cake a softer, less sugary texture. Date paste can also be used to replace other sweeteners. Date paste can be substituted for maple syrup or honey in recipes that call for it. However, the ratio is 23 cups of date paste to 12 cups of syrup or honey. Dates appear to be one of the most incredible natural sweeteners in sugar-free recipes. They’re high in fiber and nutrients, which aren’t present in refined sweets. Depending on the date, they have a glycemic index rating of 46-55.
Dates are high in antioxidants, which may help people with diabetes. Polyphenols, which are abundant in them, can help to reduce inflammation in the body. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes and accompanying metabolic problems, including obesity and high blood pressure, may be caused by inflammation. Both have a high-calorie level, with honey having a slightly more excellent calorie content. Dates are higher in dietary fiber, protein, potassium, vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium, and iron than honey. Date fruits’ glycemic index is likewise slightly lower than honey’s.
Dates are sold whole or pitted, with or without pits. To avoid removing the pits, I prefer to buy dates that have already been pitted. If you buy dates that aren’t pitted, cut one side of the gate open with a knife to remove the pits. Remove the pit by peeling back the flesh. Your fingers are going to be quite sticky. Dates are high in antioxidants, which may help people with diabetes. Polyphenols, which are abundant in them, can help to reduce inflammation in the body. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes and accompanying metabolic problems, including obesity and high blood pressure, may be caused by inflammation.
What Is Date Paste?
This is precisely what it says on the tin: a date paste produced in a high-powered blender or food processor. The puree that results is silky smooth and suitable to use as a refined sugar substitute or natural sweetener. Even though it is still classified as “sugar,” the puree is a popular unprocessed sweetener due to its outstanding combination of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber that aren’t found in refined sugars. Potassium, copper, calcium, iron, magnesium, B6, and other minerals. The combination of nutrients provides several health benefits. Date paste is a tasty, all-natural sweetener created from nature’s sweets — Dates, and it’s a whole30-approved sugar substitute that’s also vegan and paleo-friendly.
Dates are a highly delicious fruit native to the Middle East. They’re offered fresh on the stem from their palm tree in season, but others are accessible year-round in dried, pitted, and packaged form. In American grocery stores, the most popular dried date variety is Medjool. However, markets specializing in Middle Eastern products sometimes have a more extensive range.
How To Make Date Paste?
Ingredients
- 12 oz. pitted Medjool dates (about 18-20 dates)
- water (see instructions)
Instructions
- Bring 4 cups of water to a low boil. In a 4 cup glass measuring cup, put 12 oz.
- You pitted Medjool dates. Cover the dates with water and set them aside to soften for 10 minutes.
- Drain the dates and save 1.5 cups of the soaking water.
- You’ll use around 1 cup of soaking water. Possibly more, depending on how thick or thin you want your date paste.
- In a high-powered blender, combine the dates with 1 cup of the soaking water and puree until smooth.
- Scrape down the sides of the blender to ensure that everything is well blended.
- Fill a clean storage container halfway with date paste and cover. (Mason jars are fantastic for storing things!) Keep refrigerated for up to three months.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Date?
Antioxidants protect our cells from damaging free radicals and help prevent cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and other diseases (particularly inflammatory-related health issues).
Because of the numerous minerals may also help with bone health (calcium, potassium, magnesium, etc.). They provide a plant-based source of iron – but not in large quantities – which is beneficial to anyone who eats a meat-free diet! Dates are not only good for gut (and colon) health, but they may also help lower cholesterol levels due to their fiber content.
Dates are an excellent natural sweet treat for people with diabetes because they have a low GI, high fiber, and antioxidant content when taken in moderation. Furthermore, fiber aids in the slower absorption of carbohydrates, implying that they won’t produce any substantial glucose spikes (when consumed in moderation!).
How To Store Date Paste?
Make ahead: you can leave the dates to soak for up to two days (in the fridge) before blending.
Store the date paste in the fridge in an airtight container (I keep mine in a glass jar). It should last 3-4 months if you don’t add any water to the date paste. I wouldn’t use it past one month if it contained water. However, I haven’t tried it because I almost always make mine without it. Refrigerate the date paste for 3–4 weeks in an airtight container. I keep mine in a glass jar and use it as needed. It will keep in the freezer for up to a year if stored properly. 15
Freeze- This date paste freezes well and can be kept in the freezer for up to 12 months with water or six months without. In an ice cube tray, measure it out into tablespoon amounts. It also doesn’t completely freeze, so it’s still scoopable straight from the freezer. Refrigerate the date paste for 3–4 weeks in an airtight container. I keep mine in a glass jar and use it as needed. It will keep in the freezer for up to a year if stored properly.
How To Use Date Paste?
You’ll never run out of homemade date paste uses if you have a sweet tooth. Some of my favorite options include:
- Use a spoonful to sweeten hot drinks like coffee, tea, golden milk, and hot cocoa.
- Stir a little into your oatmeal or overnight oats.
- You may also add it to your morning smoothie to sweeten it up.
- Make a nutritious yogurt bowl or parfait using your favorite yogurt (dairy or non-dairy), granola, and fruit.
- Spread on toast, bagels, simit, croissants, and other items. See the recipe notes for my favorite “dating spread” recipe ingredients.
- Use it within dressings and marinades.
- Naturally, sweeten nice cream.
- Use date paste as a pastry filling. For example, combine with cinnamon and use to make healthier cinnamon rolls.
- Use in energy balls and other no-bake snacks (like these turmeric energy balls or these almond cacao bites).
- In sticky date pudding, use date paste.
- To make a healthy vegan salted caramel substitute, combine nut butter (I use peanut butter) and a pinch of sea salt.
- This homemade date paste can be used in many baked products, including cookies, cupcakes, muffins, cakes (like this healthy banana bread), brownies (like these fudgy no-bake brownies), and so on.
What Are The Nutritional Value Of Date Paste?
Dates Puree/ Dates Paste For Babies – Dates are nutritious dry fruit high in critical minerals and nutrients, making them a superfood for infants and children. Dates’ natural sweetness makes them an excellent sweetener for infant food and a healthy sugar substitute. It’s recommended to wait until your infant is 18 months or older before introducing dates and processed bars and snacks that contain them because they’re sticky and high in sugar. Dates should be carefully prepared even beyond 18 months of age to reduce the risk of choking and provided as a treat rather than a daily snack.
Dates are high in nutrients that aid in the growth of newborns, and dates can also assist in alleviating the symptoms of a fever. Dates can be consumed as a purée, smoothie, or juice. Consult your doctor before introducing this nutritious and delicious food to your child. Your kid will get 66 calories, 1.6 grams of fiber, 0.22 milligrams of iron, 15 milligrams of calcium, 167 milligrams of potassium, and trace levels of niacin, vitamin A, and folate from one whole date. To prevent mold growth and extend the shelf life of dates and other dry fruits, sulfates are commonly utilized.
Conclusion
Dates that have been softly roasted for several hours to remove moisture and prevent deterioration are known as dried dates. The fruits can be sun-dried or dehydrated in an oven. They’re incredibly delicious when they’re fresh, and when they’re dried, they’re much sweeter. Contrary to popular belief, dates are not dried or dehydrated, despite their wrinkled look. They can be consumed in various forms, ranging from fresh to slightly dehydrated. If you had to compare a date to another fruit, you’d say it’s like a more extensive, jammier, caramel-y raisin.
They also aid in preserving blood and bone health because they are high in iron and calcium. Dates have nearly seven grams of fiber every three-and-a-half-ounce serving, making them an excellent method to boost your daily fiber intake and promote weight loss. They’re high in fiber and antioxidants, and they’ve also been linked to bettering heart health, pregnancy, and labor. Dates should be consumed in moderation and as part of a diverse diet like any other food. An individual should be able to absorb all of the health benefits dates provide by eating 3 to 6 dates each day.
