Dried Pitted Dates | No Sugar Added

Gerbs Dried Pitted Dates with No Sugar Added are naturally candy-sweet, fudge-textured, and one of the most energy-dense whole foods available, with no added sugar ever. Produced in our dedicated 14-allergen-free facility in Johnston, Rhode Island, free from all 14 major allergens. Rich in potassium, magnesium, fiber, and natural energy. The premium choice for allergen-safe natural sweeteners, snacking, and recipe use.

When you’re shopping for dried dates with food allergies in mind, you want assurance that nothing unwanted was introduced during processing. Gerbs Dried Pitted Dates with No Sugar Added are made in our family-owned, dedicated allergen-free facility in Johnston, Rhode Island. Our facility has never handled gluten, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, dairy, eggs, sesame, or any of the 14 major allergens. No co-packers. No shared equipment. Every bag is packed by our own trained staff on equipment dedicated exclusively to non-GMO, vegan, and kosher production. That is the Gerbs Guarantee.

Dates (Phoenix dactylifera) are the fruit of the date palm tree, cultivated for over 5,000 years across the Middle East and North Africa. They are among the most naturally sweet of all fruits, Medjool and Deglet Noor varieties can contain upwards of 60-70% sugar by dry weight, making added sugar entirely unnecessary. Dates have a rich, caramel-like sweetness with notes of honey, brown sugar, and a subtly earthy complexity that makes them uniquely satisfying as a natural sweetener, a direct snack, or a base for dessert preparations.

Dates are pitted for convenience, ready to eat, stuff, blend, or chop into recipes without any prep. Their natural sugar profile makes them a popular choice for energy-dense snacking and as a whole-food sweetener in smoothies and baked goods.

Allergen Declaration

Free From: Gluten, Wheat, Legume Family (Peanuts, Soybeans, Lentils, Chickpeas, Lupin, Kidney Beans, Black Beans, Pinto Beans, Navy Beans, String Beans, Fava Beans, Green Peas, Split Peas, Black-Eyed Peas, Mung Beans, Adzuki Beans, Tamarind), Tree Nuts (Almonds, Cashews, Hazelnuts, Macadamia Nuts, Pecans, Pistachios, Walnuts, Brazil Nuts, Pine Nuts, Coconut), Shellfish (Crustaceans & Mollusks), Fish, Sesame, Milk/Dairy, Eggs, Mustard, Sulfur Dioxide, Potassium Sorbate.

All raw ingredients are processed, packaged, handled, stored, and shipped by trained staff in our family owned & operated facility in Johnston, Rhode Island on dedicated non-GMO, Vegan, and Kosher equipment. No co-packers. No co-manufacturers. For anyone with a mild to severe food allergy or a family with one, we wish to assure you that this is why Gerbs handles all aspects of production & operation. If you have any questions about your allergy and our products, please contact us at [email protected] or (401) 231-5181 before ordering.

What Are Dried Pitted Dates?

Dates are the fruit of the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera), one of the oldest cultivated trees in human history, archaeological evidence of date palm cultivation dates to at least 5,000 BCE in Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley. Dates are classified as drupes (stone fruits) and are among the most naturally sugar-dense foods in the plant kingdom, with common varieties like Medjool and Deglet Noor containing 60-70% sugar by dry weight. “Pitted” simply means the seed (pit) has been removed for convenience. Dates have a rich, caramel-like sweetness with notes of honey, toffee, and a subtle earthiness. They are naturally sweet enough that no added sugar is ever necessary. Today, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Iran are the world’s largest date producers.

Key Health Benefits of Dried Pitted Dates

Natural Sugar Energy: Rapid and Sustained

Dates are among the most energy-dense fruits in the plant kingdom, providing approximately 280 calories per 100g (USDA FoodData Central) from natural sugars, primarily fructose, glucose, and sucrose. This makes them a practical source of rapid, readily available energy. The glucose in dates raises blood glucose quickly, while fructose and fiber moderate the sustained energy curve. Athletes and active individuals have long used dates as a pre-workout or mid-exercise energy source.

Potassium

Dates are an exceptional source of potassium, USDA FoodData Central reports approximately 696 mg per 100g of dried dates, representing roughly 15% of the Daily Value per 100g serving. Potassium supports blood pressure regulation, fluid balance, and normal heart and muscle function. The American Heart Association identifies potassium-rich diets as associated with reduced hypertension and stroke risk.

Magnesium

Dried dates provide approximately 54 mg of magnesium per 100g, roughly 13% of the Daily Value. Magnesium participates in over 300 enzymatic reactions, including those governing energy metabolism, protein synthesis, muscle function, and blood glucose regulation. The NIH identifies magnesium deficiency as common in developed countries.

Dietary Fiber

Dates are an excellent source of dietary fiber, USDA FoodData Central reports approximately 8g of fiber per 100g of dried dates, including both soluble and insoluble fractions. This fiber content supports digestive regularity, promotes satiety, and serves as a prebiotic substrate for gut bacteria. The Mayo Clinic associates high-fiber diets with reduced cardiovascular and metabolic disease risk.

Iron and Copper

Dates provide approximately 0.9 mg of iron and 0.36 mg of copper per 100g (USDA FoodData Central). Both minerals support hemoglobin synthesis and oxygen transport. Copper also plays roles in iron metabolism, antioxidant defense, and connective tissue integrity. As with all foods, individual results may vary. Gerbs makes no medical claims.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 oz (28g) | Calories: 78 | Total Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 1mg | Total Carbohydrate: 21g | Dietary Fiber: 2.3g | Total Sugars: 18g (no added sugar) | Protein: 0.6g | Potassium: 195mg (4% DV) | Magnesium: 15mg (4% DV) | Iron: 0.25mg (1% DV) | Copper: 0.10mg (11% DV)

Values are approximate and based on USDA FoodData Central data for dried pitted dates. Actual values may vary by batch.

Flavor & Texture Profile

Dried pitted dates have a rich, caramel-like sweetness with layered notes of honey, toffee, brown sugar, and a subtle earthiness. The flavor is among the most complex and satisfying of all dried fruits, genuinely dessert-quality sweetness from pure fruit sugar. The texture is soft, yielding, and slightly sticky, almost fudge-like in Medjool varieties, slightly firmer in Deglet Noor. Dates are a premium snacking and cooking ingredient that deliver sweetness without any additions.

Ingredients

Dried Dates.

How to Use Dried Pitted Dates

Natural Sweetener (Blended)

Dates are one of the most effective whole-food natural sweeteners available. Blend soaked pitted dates with water to create date paste, a thick, caramel-sweet paste that substitutes 1:1 for refined sugar in many recipes. Use in energy balls, raw desserts, smoothies, salad dressings, and marinades. Date paste is the foundation of most “raw vegan” dessert preparations.

Direct Snacking

Eat dates directly as a natural candy alternative. Their fudge-like sweetness and satisfying chew are genuinely dessert-quality without any additions. A single large Medjool date contains roughly 18g of natural sugar and 1.5g of fiber, a meaningful snack that requires no preparation and provides a real energy effect.

Stuffed Dates

Slice dates lengthwise and stuff with seed butter (sunflower, pumpkin) for an allergen-free version of the classic stuffed date. Press the halves closed around the filling. The caramel-sweet date and the savory richness of seed butter create a combination that is genuinely confection-quality, an elegant simple snack or party food.

Baking

Chop dates and fold into date-nut-style bars (without nuts, use sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds instead), spice cakes, sticky toffee pudding preparations, and granola bars. Dates add natural sweetness, moisture, and a caramel depth to baked goods that refined sugar alone cannot replicate. Their fiber content also adds body to dense baked goods.

Smoothies

Add 1-2 pitted dates to any smoothie as a natural sweetener in place of honey, maple syrup, or added sugar. The dates blend completely smooth when using a high-powered blender and add a rich, caramel sweetness alongside potassium, magnesium, and fiber. Particularly useful in thick, meal-replacement-style smoothies.

Storage Recommendations

Store Gerbs Dried Pitted Dates in a cool, dry place in an airtight container. Dates are naturally very high in sugar content, which gives them exceptional shelf stability, unopened, they keep for up to 12 months at room temperature, and longer under refrigeration. After opening, dates are best kept refrigerated in an airtight container, where they will stay fresh for 6-12 months. At room temperature after opening, they keep for about 3-4 months. Dates may harden in cold temperatures, bring to room temperature before eating if taken from the refrigerator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Gerbs Dried Pitted Dates safe for people with nut allergies?

Yes. Our facility has never processed tree nuts or peanuts of any kind. Gerbs Dried Pitted Dates are produced in our dedicated allergen-free facility in Johnston, Rhode Island with no co-packers. Dates are stone fruits (related to coconut palm, but not botanical tree nuts under common allergen classifications), if you have any concern about specific plant family sensitivities, contact us at [email protected] before ordering.

Are Gerbs Dried Pitted Dates gluten-free?

Yes. Our facility has never handled gluten or wheat. All production equipment is dedicated gluten-free. Dried dates are appropriate for individuals with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity.

Do Gerbs Dried Pitted Dates contain added sugar?

No. The only ingredient is dried dates. Dates are naturally one of the sweetest fruits in the world, they require no added sugar. The sweetness is entirely from naturally occurring fructose, glucose, and sucrose that concentrates during drying.

Are dates a good option for diabetics?

Dates are very high in natural sugar (approximately 18g per oz serving) and have a high glycemic index for individuals with diabetes or insulin resistance. Gerbs makes no medical claims regarding dates and diabetes management, individuals managing blood glucose should consult their healthcare provider about appropriate portion sizes for high-sugar dried fruits. As with all foods, individual results may vary.

How should I store Gerbs Dried Pitted Dates?

Store in a cool, dry place in an airtight container. Dates are very shelf-stable due to their high natural sugar content. After opening, refrigeration is recommended, refrigerated dates in an airtight container keep for 6-12 months. At room temperature, consume within 3-4 months of opening. Dates may harden in cold temperatures, bring to room temperature before eating if refrigerated.

Are pitted dates convenient for blending and recipe use?

Yes, pitting removes the seed, making dates ready to use without any preparation. For blending into date paste or smoothies, soak in warm water for 10-15 minutes first to soften further. Gerbs pitted dates require no additional prep for most snacking and recipe applications.