Fresh dates are appealing to shoppers looking for something different and for a gourmet touch to their meals and snacks. These consumers are often willing to pay a little bit more for the things they want, so they are worth catering to if you want to boost the bottom line.
Shipping
Shipping
Containers for dates vary. California shipments are measured by the California Date Administrative Committee.
Plastic containers other than bags must meet the following requirements:
Whole dates sold in plastic cups must have a net weight of 8 oz., 12 oz., 11⁄2 lbs. or 2 or more pounds.
Pitted dates sold in plastic cups must have net weight of 7 oz., 10 oz., 1 lb., 11⁄2 lbs. or more than 2 lbs., not sold limited by container weights.
The date industry produces a variety of products for use in baking and institutional foodservice.
RPC 6411, 6413
Handling
Temperature: semi-dry, 32 to 40 F, 0 to 4.4 C; soft, 0 to 32 F, -17.8 to 0 C
Relative humidity: 75-80%
Mist: none
Typical shelf life: one month at room temperature, six to eight months refrigerated and one year frozen in airtight containers.
Odor sensitive. Dates will absorb odors produced by other fruits and vegetables. Do not store near onions.
Medjools should be treated more like fresh produce rather than a dried fruit.
Moisture loss can be regained by pumping dates with warm water, fruit juice or liqueur.
Grades
Domestic whole and pitted (consumer grade)
U.S. Grade B
Deglet noor, halawy, khadrawy and zahidi dates
U.S. Grade C available in various forms (industrial grade)
Medjools are available in jumbos, mixed and confection grades.
Handling
Temperature: semi-dry, 32 to 40 F, 0 to 4.4 C; soft, 0 to 32 F, -17.8 to 0 C
Relative humidity: 75-80%
Mist: none
Typical shelf life: one month at room temperature, six to eight months refrigerated and one year frozen in airtight containers.
Odor sensitive. Dates will absorb odors produced by other fruits and vegetables. Do not store near onions.
Medjools should be treated more like fresh produce rather than a dried fruit.
Moisture loss can be regained by pumping dates with warm water, fruit juice or liqueur.
1 pound= 50 medium dates
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