Dried Pitted Dates | No Sugar Added

Sold in 14 oz., 2 lb. and 4 lb. Options in Re-Sealable bags.

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Ingredients: Whole Dates (pitted).

Ingredient Country of Origin: Algeria.

Allergen Declaration Statement: Free from; Gluten, Wheat, Legume Family {Peanuts, Soy beans, lentils, chickpeas, and lupin, beans (kidney, black, pinto, navy, string, fava), and peas (green, split, black-eyed), plus others like mung beans, adzuki, and tamarind}, Tree Nuts {almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pistachios, walnuts, brazil nuts, pine nuts, & coconut}, Shellfish aquatic invertebrates (crab, lobster, shrimp, prawns, crayfish), Crustaceans mollusks (clams, mussels, oysters, scallops, squid, octopus, snails), Fish {vertebrates having a backbone} , Sesame, Milk/Dairy, Eggs, Mustard, Sulfur Dioxide, Potassium Sorbate.

Packaging Procedure: Hand Packaged on dedicated Gerbs equipment Johnston, RI.

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Introducing Gerbs Pitted Whole Dates

OVERVIEW

Pitted whole dried dates are sweet, chewy, caramel-flavored fruits with the seeds removed, making them a convenient, naturally sweet snack or ingredient, rich in fiber, potassium, antioxidants, and minerals, ideal for on-the-go energy, baking, smoothies, or as a healthy sugar substitute, often sold without added sugars or preservatives. They are a good source of energy and nutrients, promoting digestive and bone health.

Key Characteristics:

• Flavor & Texture: Naturally sweet with a caramel taste, soft and chewy (especially Medjool) or slightly firmer (like Deglet Noor).
• Convenience: Pits are removed, so they’re ready to eat, chop, or blend.
• Nutritional Value: High in dietary fiber, potassium, magnesium, iron, and antioxidants (flavonoids, carotenoids, phenolic acid).
• Health Benefits: Supports digestion, bone health, provides sustained energy, and may lower risk of chronic diseases.
• Versatility: Use as a snack, in smoothies, yogurt, granola, salads, baking, or as a natural sweetener in recipes.

Common Varieties & Types:

• Deglet Noor: Firmer, lighter, economical.
• Medjool: Larger, softer, juicier, sweeter.

HOW ARE THEY MADE

Pitted dates are made by first harvesting and cleaning ripe dates, then using specialized machines with plungers or blades to quickly and gently push the hard, stone-like pit out, keeping the fruit whole, with some factories adding a light steaming to soften them and manual checks for quality control before sorting and packaging. The process ensures efficiency while preserving the date’s texture and flavor for snacking or further processing into pastes and chopped bits.

The Pitting Process Step-by-Step:

1. Harvest & Clean: Dates are picked from palm trees, then thoroughly cleaned to remove dirt and debris.
2. Soften (Optional): Some facilities lightly steam or heat dates to make the flesh softer and more pliable, reducing tearing during pitting.
3. Pitting:

1. • Machines: Dates move along a conveyor into cups or holders. A series of sharp, precise plungers or blades then quickly push the pit out from the center.

1. • Manual: For delicate or high-value dates, workers might manually remove pits to ensure perfection.

1. Quality Check: Workers visually inspect dates to ensure no pits remain and the fruit is undamaged.
2. Sort & Package: Dates are sorted by size and quality, then packaged as whole pitted dates or prepared for dicing or grinding into other products like date paste.

KEY HEALTH BENEFITS

Dried pitted dates are nutrient-dense, offering fiber for digestion, potassium for heart health, iron for energy, and antioxidants (polyphenols) to fight disease, while also providing minerals like magnesium, copper, manganese, and Vitamin B6, acting as a natural sweetener, boosting brain health, and potentially aiding in late-stage pregnancy and labor, though portion control is key due to their concentrated sugar and calories.

Nutritional Highlights (per 100g)

• Carbs & Fiber: High in natural sugars and fiber, aiding digestion and blood sugar control.
• Minerals: Excellent source of potassium, magnesium, copper, manganese, and iron, supporting bone, nerve, and blood health.
• Vitamins: Contains Vitamin B6.

Key Health Properties

• Digestive Health: Fiber promotes regularity and gut health, preventing constipation.
• Antioxidant Power: Rich in phenolic acids, flavonoids, and carotenoids, which protect cells from damage and reduce chronic disease risk (cancer, heart disease).
• Heart Health: Potassium helps regulate blood pressure; fiber lowers cholesterol.
• Energy Boost: Natural sugars and iron combat fatigue.
• Brain Health: Antioxidants support cognitive function.
• Pregnancy Support: Fiber helps with constipation; some evidence suggests benefits for labor induction.
• Bone Health: Minerals like calcium and magnesium contribute to strong bones.

Considerations

• Calorie Dense: Due to drying, calories and sugar are concentrated, so moderation is important.
• Kidney Health: High potassium may need monitoring for those with kidney issues.

HOW TO COOK & INCORPORATE PITTED DATES INTO YOUR DIET

Enjoy dried pitted dates as a quick snack, natural sweetener in oatmeal/smoothies/baking (muffins, cookies), or stuffed with nuts/cheese for sweet-savory combos, adding caramel flavor; blend them into date paste for sugar replacement or use in savory dishes like chutneys and marinades for depth, enhancing salads with cheese/nuts for a flavor pop.

In Your Diet (Snacks & Breakfast)

• Straight Up: Pop them as is for a fiber-rich, sweet snack.
• Oatmeal/Cereal Topping: Chop and add to hot cereal or overnight oats for natural sweetness.
• Smoothies: Blend soaked dates into smoothies for sweetness without refined sugar.
• Energy Bites: Pulse with oats, nut butter, coconut, and seeds for no-bake snacks.
• Cheese Boards: Pair with salty cheeses or nuts for a balanced bite.

In Cooking (Baking & Savory)

• Baking Sweetener: Use chopped or pureed dates in muffins, cookies, and cakes for moisture and caramel flavor.
• Date Paste: Soak and blend dates into a smooth paste to replace sugar in recipes.
• Savory Dishes: Add chopped dates to salads with arugula, feta, and walnuts, or make chutneys.
• Stuffing: Fill with almond butter, goat cheese, or cream cheese for appetizers.
• Wraps: Wrap dates in prosciutto or bacon for a salty-sweet bite.
• Marinades/Rubs: Blend with spices for rubs on lamb or chicken.

Quick Tips

• Soak for Softness: If dates are dry, soak in hot water for 10-30 mins (or longer if hard) before blending or cooking.
• Flavor Pairings: Dates go well with chocolate, nuts (walnuts, almonds), cheese (feta, goat), coconut, cinnamon, and citrus.

Order now and Taste the Goodness of Gerbs!

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Storage Recommendations

For the best flavor and freshness, we recommend storing your Gerbs in an airtight container in a cool, dark place such as a pantry or kitchen cabinet, away from sunlight and heat sources like the oven.

Each time the container is opened, oxygen sneaks in and can speed up rancidity, so try to keep only about one pound of product accessible at a time.

While Gerbs can be frozen, we don’t recommend it. Freezing and thawing can change the natural cell structure, which may affect texture and taste. Keep them cool, dry, and sealed tight for the best experience!