Medjool dates, sometimes called the “Cadillac of dates,” were once considered a delicacy. However, they are now also being recognized as healthy, power-packed nutritional nuggets, an easily accessible source of fiber, magnesium, copper, and potassium — pound for pound, more than a banana.
Joolies, a California producer, grows some of the tastiest organic medjool dates out there. Hand-picked on the Kohl Family Farm in Southern California’s Coachella Valley, these fruits may look a little crinkly, but they are fresh, moist, and chewy, with a soft, buttery texture and an irresistible hint of sweet caramel.
In addition to bags and boxes of these low-glycemic snacks, Joolies sells delicious bite-size treats that marry the sweetness of dates with other ingredients, ideal for a grab-and-go situation. The company’s date pops use date paste from their imperfect dates — meaning fruits that weren’t cosmetically pleasing enough to sell on their own — which is one of its many solutions to minimize food waste. (Joolies claims to utilize 100 percent of its harvest, a rarity in agriculture.)
The date pops come in four flavors: Brownie Bite, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Lemon Bar, and Cinnamon Bun. Really tasty, naturally sweet, 100 percent vegan, and gluten-free, the pops are a high-quality snack for any time of day.
Date pops start around $3.99 per 3.5-ounce bag. Widely available online and at Whole Foods, Foodies Markets, Eataly, Market Basket, Target, and other retail outlets.
Karen Campbell can be reached at karencampbell4@rcn.com.