The Medjool Date gets a close-up on today's episode of Behind the Greens. Medjools are widely regarded as the most popular premium date currently grown. It is of Arabic origin, and has been been cultivated in the Middle East for the last 6,000 years. The Medjool date is easily recognizable due to its size and texture, as well as its sweet, succulent flavor. Medjool dates have been called the “king of dates” and the “crown jewel of dates.” Like most dates, the fruit is dried prior to being eaten. What really makes Medjools so special is that they are exceptionally large, contain a large amount of “fruit meat,” and are extremely sweet. Each center of the date has an elongated pit, which is easy to remove. In color, medjool dates can vary from a deep brown to a rich dark purple or crimson. Dates have been associated with the holiday season and many people recall the fancy wrapped dates like medjools and other dried fruit available during the holiday. Despite its sweetness, a couple of medjool dates only contain about 90 calories. Fresh Medjool dates come in a variety of packaging, including clamshells and bulk packs. They’re a good source of fiber and have a significant amount of fruit sugar; this can make them a perfect alternative to other forms of dessert. Our favorite? The sticky Medjool Date ball.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
