Veggie & Fruit Guide
Veggie & Fruit- Please select from abc list
Dates
Selection & Storage
Depending on the variety, the dates are long and narrow, long and plump or round shaped. They have a very sweet flavour and shiny, smooth, paper-like skin. Dates are picked when ripe, with a colour that ranges from light to dark brown. Packaged dates are available with seeds, pitted or chopped.
Most supermarkets stock fresh dates in the fresh produce section and dried dates in the dried fruit section (which is also often the baking section). For both types, look for plump, fleshy fruit that are evenly coloured with smoothly wrinkled, unbroken, shiny skins. Avoid fruit that smells bad, looks withered/shrivelled or that have hardened sugar crystals on their skins.
Refrigerate fresh dates in a tightly sealed container for up to eight months. Dried dates can be kept at room temperature for several months although dates kept in the refrigerator last longer. Remember not to store your dates near strongly flavoured items such as garlic as they tend to absorb outside odours.
