Smooth, sweet shakes, tart lemon bars, crunchy slaw and an aromatic chicken braise — these are just a few of the wonderful recipes utilizing the unique sweetness of dates.
When it comes to cooking with dates, not all varieties are created equal. For the most part, you can bank on dates bringing their characteristic murky sweetness to any dish. However, depending on the type, that sweetness can be more or less intense and reminiscent of different styles of sugars.
“Medjools are the king of the dates,” says Gonzalez. “They are big, meaty, creamy and sweet and have a classic, maple syrup flavor. Khadrawy are sweeter than the Medjools but smaller, and they have more of a brown sugar flavor. Halawy dates have a delicate sweetness and a slightly chewy texture, almost like a caramel chew candy. Honey dates have a mysterious molasses flavor reminiscent of roasted sweet potatoes. Deglet Noor is a less sweet date and has a nice nutty flavor.