How and how much you can store dates at home

Many people wonder how best to store dates. In order to successfully store this product, it is worth considering its variety. Additionally, the fruits can be sold fresh, dried or squeezed. To keep them cool for an extended period of time, it is worth using a refrigerator or freezer. Humidity and temperature are of great importance.

Date Storage Features

It is allowed to store dried dates at room temperature for a maximum of 2 months. In this case, it is recommended to take into account the following rules:

• wash the product immediately before use;
• store in an airtight jar or tightly closed container;
• protect from direct sunlight.

A cool, dark place will help extend the shelf life of the product. Dried fruits are characterized by a high moisture content. Therefore, it is quite permissible to put them in the refrigerator. In this case, the product must be placed in a glass or plastic container and tightly closed.

Following these recommendations will help prevent chapping of the fruit. In addition, they will not absorb foreign aromas. The optimal temperature regime is 0 degrees. This keeps the dates for 1 year.For a longer period, fruits can be stored in the freezer. At negative temperatures, dried fruits rest for several years. In addition, this method also has a drawback. After thawing, the fruits lose their shape.

Optimal storage conditions

To store dates for a long time, you must observe the temperature and humidity parameters. Storage capacity and lighting are also important.

Temperature

Dried dates can be stored at a temperature of + 5-20 degrees. In hot weather, soft fruits will begin to ferment and hard fruits will acquire a pit consistency.

The storage temperature of fresh dates should not exceed +5 degrees.

Humidity

Sweet fruits do not like high humidity. Therefore, it is recommended to maintain an indicator of no more than 70% in the storage location.

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Lighting

The product does not tolerate direct sunlight. To store fruits for a long time, you will need to put them in a kitchen cabinet or refrigerator.

Container

It is best to store fresh fruit in a cardboard box. A paper bag is also perfect for this purpose. Dried fruits keep well in a plastic container. A glass jar with a lid is also a great option. If you plan to eat dates in a short period of time, you can put them in a plastic bag.

How to choose the right one

The best option would be dates that have ripened and dried on a palm tree, after which they were harvested by hand. However, finding such fruits today can be very difficult. Manufacturers are often forced to resort to oven drying. This speeds up the cooking of the dried fruit.

In the event of incorrect treatment, there is a risk of deterioration of the appearance of the fruits and reduction of their shelf life.

To choose high-quality dates, you should focus on the following features:

1. The ripeness of the fruit is evidenced by the uniform dark brown color of the fruit. If they have a light or uneven shade, this indicates insufficient ripeness.
2. If the whole dried fruit has a shiny sheen and moderate sweetness, this indicates that it has been mechanically dried or processed with fat.
3. Better to favor pitted dates. Thanks to this, it will be possible to reduce the likelihood of chemical processing and retain the maximum amount of useful elements.

The following signs indicate low fruit quality:

1. Lumps of white sugar and sticky fruit indicate soaking in syrup. These dates are considered unhealthy. In addition, bacterial microorganisms actively multiply in a mild environment.
2. Too dark a shade, cracks, peeling of the skin indicate rapid drying of the fruit in the oven. Most likely, high temperatures were used for this. These fruits have an unpleasant consistency and stick to the teeth.
3. If the dates have a crumpled consistency and smell of fermentation, this indicates that they have not been dried enough. In addition, these signs indicate poor product quality.

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Home Storage Methods

There are several ways to store dates.

Fridge

One of the most suitable places to store a product is the refrigerator. Fruit should be placed in glass jars. It is also acceptable to use plastic containers. The prepared product should be placed in the refrigerator.In such conditions, the fruit can rest for several months. At the same time, their taste and benefits will be preserved. The temperature regime should be 0 ... + 5 degrees.

Dates should not be stored in plastic bags. It is not recommended to wash them before placing them in the refrigerator.

Frozen

Fresh and dried fruits can be frozen. To do this, it is recommended to place them in a plastic container or wrap them in bags. At the same time, you should not wash dates. In this form, the fruits can stand for 5 years and retain the main amount of nutrients.

Costs

When buying fruit in a cardboard box, it is allowed to put them in the refrigerator. If the fruit was purchased in a different container, it can be transferred to a paper bag. The best option for storing dates is a shelf under the freezer. The temperature regime in this compartment should be 0 degrees.

Fresh fruit should be washed before eating. This is because fruit today is often treated with harmful chemicals to increase shelf life. If there is a white coating on the surface of the fruits or they have an unpleasant odor, the product will have to be discarded.

Press

It is allowed to store pressed dates in room conditions, since they have been subjected to special treatment - pasteurization. To prevent the products from drying out, they are wrapped in paper. You can also use a plastic bag. It is undesirable to keep dates in the light. It is recommended to place them in a dark and cool place. The shelf life of the product is indicated on the packaging. It retains its freshness for a long time. However, experts advise eating such dates within a year.

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Dried

To store dried fruits, you must follow these steps:

1. Place the dried fruit in a glass jar or plastic container with an airtight lid. Thanks to this, they will not be weathered, absorb foreign odors or be attacked by insects.
2. Place the container in the refrigerator. It is worth choosing a compartment with a temperature of 0 degrees.
3. It is not recommended to mix dates with other fruits. Each variety has its own humidity parameters. Such proximity will damage the fruit.
4. Do not wash dried fruits before storing them. This will cause the protective oily layer to be removed. Such fruits will quickly deteriorate.
5. Rinse the dates with hot water before consuming them. This will help remove pathogens from their surface.

Additional tips and tricks

To keep the product for a long time, it is recommended to follow these rules:

1. Make a paste with dates. It can be used instead of sugar.
2. It is recommended to wash the fruit just before use.
3. Do not store fruit in a hot place.
4. Mixing different fruits is not recommended.

Dates are considered very unpretentious in terms of storing dried fruits. These fruits easily tolerate temperature fluctuations. However, they can be stored in the refrigerator or frozen.