In recent years, as soon as the red dates season ends, winter jujubes begin to hit the market. Winter jujubes are large in size, resembling small apples. The flesh is tender and juicy, with thin and crisp skin. They have a sweet and fragrant taste that is not overly cloying, making them extremely delicious. So what are the differences between winter jujubes and red dates?
Are Winter Jujubes the Same as Red Dates?
Winter jujubes are indeed jujubes. They are a new variety of jujube tree that is grafted. They mature much later than regular red dates and are officially available in the market when approaching winter. The selling period lasts for about three months, and in many places, winter jujubes can only be tasted during the winter season. Therefore, they are called winter jujubes.
Differences Between Winter Jujubes and Red Dates
Different Maturity Time
Winter Jujubes: Winter jujubes are called so because they mature later than regular jujubes, usually around mid-October when the weather gets colder.
Red Dates: Red dates are jujube trees that have been cultivated in China for thousands of years. They are now distributed throughout the entire country, with more cultivation in areas north of the Yangtze River. They usually bloom at the end of spring and mature in mid to late summer. It is rare to find red dates in late autumn.
Different Fruit Size
Winter Jujubes: Winter jujubes are a new variety of jujube tree, and their fruits are larger in size, averaging around 17g in weight, with some reaching up to 25g.
Red Dates: Red dates are generally not very large, with some being close to 10g in size and others being as small as peanuts. The fruit pits are also relatively small, making them a bit troublesome to eat. Therefore, red dates are mostly sold as dried goods.
Different Colors
Winter Jujubes: Only half of the winter jujube exposed to sunlight is red, while the rest is mostly greenish-white. The flesh is white with a hint of green.
Red Dates: Red dates are greenish in color when unripe and turn completely red when mature. The dried skin of red dates becomes even redder.
Different Texture
Winter Jujubes: Winter jujubes have large fruits with thin and crispy skin. They are sweet with a slight fragrance and have a very tender texture. They tend to crack when they fall on the ground. They have abundant juice with no residue, thick flesh, and small pits. They are usually consumed fresh and have a high edible rate, making them suitable for frequent consumption.
Red Dates: Red dates have smaller fruits with a sweeter taste compared to winter jujubes. They also have a distinctive jujube fragrance. The fruit pits are relatively larger, and the edible rate is lower. They are mostly sold as dried dates and are not suitable for excessive consumption.
Different Nutritional Values
Winter Jujubes: Winter jujubes are famous for being consumed fresh, as many of their nutrients have not undergone processing and therefore have minimal nutrient loss. They have a higher intake of nutrients.
Red Dates: Red dates have been mostly dried for a long time and are commonly used for making tea, wine, porridge, and soup. They have experienced significant nutrient loss, especially for easily oxidized nutrients such as vitamin C and vitamin E. The nutritional value is lower compared to winter jujubes. However, when consumed fresh, the nutritional values of the two types of jujubes are similar since they belong to the same species and the differences are not significant.
Different Market Prices
Winter Jujubes: Due to being consumed fresh and their moderate size, which makes them suitable as snack fruits, winter jujubes are relatively expensive. The highest price has reached 360 yuan per kilogram. With the increase in cultivation areas, they have become more common in the market, and the prices have decreased. The general price range is between 10 and 20 yuan per kilogram.
Red Dates: Red dates have a long history of cultivation in China, and their prices have remained stable over the years without significant changes, ranging from 5 to 10 yuan per kilogram.
