The date is the fruit of the date palm, a plant belonging to the large family of palm trees (Arecaceae). This fruit tree is particularly cultivated in North Africa and southern Europe.

Dates are highly prized for their sweet, fleshy pulp as well as their nutritional value: rich in carbohydrates, fibre, vitamins and trace elements, they are a source of energy for the body, especially after exercise or when feeling a bit tired.

Used in both savoury and sweet dishes, dates lend themselves very well to drying, allowing for longer preservation and year-round enjoyment of their benefits.

Here are 3 techniques for preserving fresh dates longer and obtaining quality dried dates.

date palm fruit, date palm tree

Phoenix dactylifera

The different varieties of dates for drying

There are said to be over 300 varieties of dates, producing fruits that differ in size, texture (soft or firm) and sugar content.

For drying, opt for the fleshier and sweeter fruits, which contain less water and are easier to dry.

Choose, for example:

  • the deglet nour, originally from Algeria, one of the most popular with its soft amber colour, yielding tender, smooth fruits with a honey-like taste;
  • the medjoul, with its large, fleshy and tender fruits;
  • the khudri, mainly grown in Saudi Arabia, with a crisp skin and firm flesh;
  • the barhi, with a semi-dry, fibrous and crunchy texture;

The date harvest usually takes place between October and December, but, with possible exceptions in Provence, date palms are not cultivated and harvested in France.

However, you can easily find fresh dates in bulk in Middle Eastern grocery stores, markets, organic shops or even online. You can then dry them at home to preserve them longer and enjoy them all year round.

Drying should ideally be done shortly after picking. For optimal drying, select fruits picked as recently as possible, fully ripe, fresh and tender to the touch.

They should look healthy, shiny and free from a white film (sugar gradually rising to the surface as the fruit ages).

Choose dates of similar sizes for more even drying time.

date palm harvest, harvesting dates

Traditional harvesting of fresh dates

Preparing dates for drying

Before drying fresh dates, make sure to prepare them properly:

  • Clean the fruits with clear water and dry them with a cloth or paper towel;
  • Remove the pits by cutting them in half lengthwise;
  • Slice them thinly for faster drying.
pitting dates, preparing dates

Pitting dates

Drying dates in the oven

Oven drying is the simplest method and proves effective for most fruits. It gently removes the water from the food without cooking it.

  • Preheat your oven to a low temperature, ideally 50 to 60°C;
  • Arrange the fruits on baking paper side by side, cut side up, spacing them out so they don’t stick together;
  • Leave to dry for 6 to 12 hours (drying time depends on the fruit variety and oven temperature);
  • At the start of drying, open the oven door regularly to allow condensation to escape;
  • Check the texture of the fruits regularly and turn the dates over for more even drying.

You can also start drying at the end of cooking a dish, to take advantage of the heat already stored in the oven.

Once dried, the dates become firm and darker. Let the fruits cool before storing them.

Drying dates in a dehydrator

A dehydrator is an appliance that dries food at low temperatures and uniformly. More energy-efficient than an oven, it does require an additional investment.

The purchase can be worthwhile if you regularly use drying as a method of preserving fruits and vegetables.

  • Simply place the date slices on the dehydrator trays, without overlapping them;
  • Drying time and temperature vary depending on the appliance: follow the instructions provided in the manual.

Sun-drying dates naturally

In hot, sunny regions, don’t hesitate to try drying dates outdoors. It’s the most natural and economical technique, as it simply uses the heat of the sun’s rays. However, it is more unpredictable and takes longer, depending on weather conditions.

  • Place the date slices on a wooden crate or a rack (the support should allow maximum air circulation) spacing them out so they don’t overlap;
  • Place them in the sun in a warm, dry, ventilated spot, protected from humidity;
  • Protect them from insects and dust by covering them with a mesh or muslin cloth;
  • Turn the fruits regularly for even drying;
  • Bring them indoors at night or in case of bad weather.

Another alternative: use the Espelette pepper drying technique. Pierce the fruits with a needle, string them together with food-safe twine, spacing them out for good air circulation. Then hang them facing south, covered with a fine cloth.

Under good heat and dryness conditions, drying can be complete within 10 days.

drying dates

Traditional sun-drying of dates

Storing homemade dried dates

Dried dates can be stored for 6 months to a year. They should be kept in airtight containers (glass, plastic, metal), in a cool, dry place, away from moisture and light.

You can also grind the dates into a powder using a mortar or blender for storage.

storing dates

Using dried dates in cooking

Enjoy the many nutritional benefits of dried dates in cooking.

Use them:

  • in sweet dishes like cakes, ice creams, compotes, smoothies, granolas, fruit salads;
  • in savoury dishes in Middle Eastern recipes, stuffings, sauces or salads;
  • as they are, for a healthy and energising snack;
  • rehydrated (steamed for a few minutes or soaked in warm water or fruit juice for a few hours).

date-based dish, date recipe

Dates with almond paste and date tagine