Are red dates fruits?

Red dates are produced in abundance in many areas of our country. There are many varieties and the tastes are also different. In recent years, the red dates from Xinjiang have been deeply loved by people for their sweetness and large size. Eating red dates every day is a good blood tonic for women. However, are red dates fruits? There are two ways to refer to red dates. The dried ones are called dried fruits, while the fresh red dates are fruits. Regardless of whether they are fruits or not, the nutritional value is relatively high and they are suitable for daily consumption.

Is jujube a fruit or a vegetable?

Jujube is a fruit

Red dates are fruits. Many people are not very clear about whether red dates are fruits or vegetables. In fact, red dates belong to the jujube species and are a type of fruit. It’s just that the red dates we often eat in our lives are dried in the sun, and people usually don’t associate them with fruit when they see shriveled red dates.

Nutrition and Benefits

Red dates have the effects of nourishing the middle and replenishing Qi, nourishing blood and calming the mind, and alleviating the properties of medicine. They are a food with good nourishing effects and are very suitable for people with weak spleen and stomach, diarrhea, fatigue and weakness. Women with bipolar disorder, crying and restlessness can eat red dates to nourish blood and calm the mind, soothe the liver and relieve depression. In addition, red dates are rich in nutrients, including a large amount of protein, fat, sugar, organic acid, multiple vitamins and other nutrients. Eating them can also supplement a lot of nutrition.

How to eat

The most common way to eat red dates is red date and white fungus soup. First, wash the white fungus and red dates with clean water, then soak the white fungus in warm water until soft and tear it into small pieces. Then pour the washed red dates into the pot, add water and bring to a boil, then turn to low heat and simmer for half an hour. Drain the excess water from the soaked white fungus and pour it into the pot and cook it together with the red dates. After the food boils, turn to low heat and continue to cook for about two hours. Finally, add rock sugar for seasoning and it is ready to serve.

At the same time, it has good therapeutic effects on acute and chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, anemia and other diseases.

1. Raw food

Red dates are the same as other fruits. Whether fresh or dried, they can be eaten raw after washing.

Eating red dates raw can preserve the nutrients of red dates completely, and it is also the easiest and most convenient way. However, please note: although some red dates are marked as not to be washed, it is best to wash them. In addition, the date skin is hard and difficult to digest. Some people will have stomach pain after eating red dates raw. Children and the elderly are best to eat them cooked.

2. Make tea

When you drink water every day, wash two or three dates, soak them in a cup of water for a while, and you will get the authentic date tea.

I think there are several advantages to using red dates to make tea: a few dates can be soaked for a whole day, and if you don't want to soak them anymore, just eat them; buy a few dates and soak them for many days. Dates are expensive now, so you can save a little this way.

3. Cooking

Boil the red dates and the hard skin will be easy to peel off. The flesh will also become soft and easy to digest. When cooking red dates, you must pay attention to the heat. If you cook them for too short a time, they will not be cooked; if you cook them for too long a time, they will become overcooked.

I think it is best to put some red dates when cooking porridge, which not only increases the flavor of the porridge, but also allows you to eat the cooked red dates. Then you can mix it with other things, such as wolfberry, white fungus, lily, mung bean, etc., the taste and nutrition of the porridge will be richer.

4. Stew

Many stews, especially meat dishes, such as lamb, pork, and chicken stews, can have a few red dates added to them. After a long period of boiling, the nutrients in the red dates will be completely integrated into the soup, adding a little sweetness to the broth, making the soup taste more mellow.

5. Food and Medicine

Red dates are good for the liver and are a natural medicine. Many traditional Chinese medicines also use red dates. The more common ones are:

Red dates combined with Codonopsis pilosula and Atractylodes macrocephala have the effect of tonifying the middle and replenishing qi;

When used with licorice and wheat, it can calm the nerves.

Used together with Rehmannia glutinosa and Angelica sinensis, it has the effect of nourishing blood and is suitable for the symptoms of blood deficiency and chlorosis;

Chew 6 red dates every day, or make pills with Codonopsis pilosula, Aconite root and Amomum villosum and take them regularly to treat spleen and stomach weakness, vomiting and acid reflux, stomach pain, loss of appetite, fatigue and weakness;

Add ginger and pinellia to make a decoction to treat gastritis caused by improper diet, as well as symptoms such as stomach fullness and severe vomiting;

In summer, you can use red dates, patchouli, and fragrant ru to make a decoction, and drink it regularly to relieve summer heat;

Choose red dates, add Adenophora australis, Glehnia littoralis, and Ophiopogon japonicus to make a decoction and drink it, which has a significant therapeutic effect on those with dry cough without phlegm.

If you have a cold or a speaker with hoarse voice, you can drink the decoction of red dates, puffed seaweed and rock sugar to moisturize your vocal cords.

For those who have trouble sleeping, are weak and have palpitations, you can use jujube with a few scallions, or jujube with Chinese jujube seeds and purple salvia miltiorrhiza, boil them into a soup and drink it 2 hours before going to bed, which is also effective.

Drinking a decoction of jujube, licorice and floating wheat can soothe the liver and relieve depression. It has a tonic effect on women's menopausal symptoms such as sweating, restlessness and difficulty controlling emotions.