Unboxed: 9 brands that find natural sweetness with dates
Whether in starring roles or as supporting actors in any number of sweet or savory foods, dates continue to make a sweet impression.
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Made from organic mejool dates grown in the cradle of US date production, this date syrup has only one ingredient, which is why we love it so. We also love the fact that the Kohl family has been cultivating these dates on their USDA-certified organic ranch in California for more than two decades.
This USDA-certified organic plant-based milk has only five whole-food ingredients including organic dates, which lend a hint of sweetness to this toasty sesame and almond milk. With no gums, emulsifiers or added sugars, this non-dairy beverage is about as clean as you can get.
Organic dates are either the first or second ingredient in all seven varieties of these small, nutrient-dense balls, which were created for consumers to either pop into their smoothies or eat plain as a superfood snack. Nuts such as almonds, pecans and walnuts; seeds like chia, hemp and flax; and some functional add-ins such as organic bee pollen, aloe and collagen are a few of the ingredients that you’ll find in these date-rich bombs.
We love these non-GMO, frozen protein balls that boast just a handful of whole-food ingredients and come in three varieties. These PB and Cacao balls are just peanut butter, oats, dates, cacao nibs and unsweetened toasted coconut, turning them into satisfying and tasty morsels that make the perfect snack right out of the freezer.
The hemp division of artisanal chocolate maker Hnina continues to grow, this time with the launch of another high-quality healthy hemp edible. This hazelnut and almond spread is vegan, paleo, fair trade and non-GMO. It also contains 180 mg full-spectrum hemp extract (30 mg per 1 oz serving) and is sweetened with USDA-certified organic dates, one of the first few ingredients on a clean label that also includes functional herbs such as ashwagandha, ginger and chamomile.
Organic date syrup brand D’vash took this natural sweetener to the next level with the launch of a spicy version of its flagship product. Made with 100% USDA-certified organic dates from California, the company recommends trying it as a sauce, marinade or dressing for a dose of natural sweetness with a kick
Although this brand of dairy-free frozen dessert initially launched in 2017, it relaunched this year with a new recipe that removed the cashews, reduced the calorie count and provided an extra dose of creaminess to this nondairy ice cream. One thing that hasn’t changed is the fact that all three flavors (Chocolate, Vanilla and Coffee) are sweetened only with dates—the second ingredient on the label after organic coconut milk.
Dates are the third ingredient in this USDA-certified organic dairy-free creamer, which was created by a family-owned and operated organic food company that sources sustainably and ethically farmed products.
Although only two out of the four new flavor varieties of Country Archer’s grass-fed meat sticks (Chorizo Beef and Pork and Maple Pork) are sweetened with dates, we think they’re a good example of the versatility of this dried fruit. In fact, dates are the only source of sweetness in the Chorizo Beef & Pork variety, which is both paleo- and keto-friendly.
Although only two out of the four new flavor varieties of Country Archer’s grass-fed meat sticks (Chorizo Beef and Pork and Maple Pork) are sweetened with dates, we think they’re a good example of the versatility of this dried fruit. In fact, dates are the only source of sweetness in the Chorizo Beef & Pork variety, which is both paleo- and keto-friendly.
With the growing vilification of sugar in recent years and the popularity of low-sugar diets and lifestyles, it’s no secret that brands continue to search for new and different ways to give consumers their sweet fix—the more natural, the better. Enter dates, the fruit of the palm tree that has been enjoyed for its sweet and yielding flesh since ancient times, and that is once again being embraced not only for its sweetness, but also as a good source of fiber, antioxidants and a range of vitamins and minerals.
Dates put on a strong showing at Expo West this year, both on their own and as ingredients in a variety of formats and products ranging from savory to sweet, as well as in a number of different categories—a trend that we expect will continue to grow at Expo East 2019.
Here are some of the date-ful products that have caught our eye so far this year, and some others that we look forward to tasting in Baltimore next month. Another bonus? Many of the brands we’ve seen use organic dates.
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