Date Syrup – something sweet from nature’s armoury

A delicacy, an all-round sweet treat, and a scientific sensation too: Nara’s date syrup definitely features amongst the superfoods of the future. In North Africa and the Middle East it has been used traditionally for centuries. In Arabic it is known as ‘rub’, and in Israel, where it is a firm staple of kosher cooking, as ‘silan’. And when the Bible speaks of milk and honey, it is the so-called ‘date honey’ that is being referred to. Despite that, here it’s only known by those who are in on the secret. This is something that will quickly change though when word spreads about the remarkable features of this product.

Thick date syrup, a culinary wonder weapon from the East

For a long time, this caramel syrup has been little known here in the West. We can thank globalisation not only for always allowing us to get to know and appreciate new and fascinating foods from all over the world, but also for allowing us to now research culinary delights from different cultures. This was how the British microbiologist, Hajer Taleb, made the sensational discovery in a 2015 study that date syrup has an enormous antibiotic effect. Previously it was Manuka honey that was above all known for its ability to inhibit the spread of disease-bearing bacteria. In the study it was shown that Manuka honey was however now outclassed by date syrup which already starts to work after six hours, and is therefore considerably faster than Manuka honey. It’s no wonder then that this thick, golden syrup enjoys such great popularity in the Arabic world. There it is not just enjoyed as a treat, but is also used as a household remedy for gastro-intestinal problems, high blood pressure, swelling, and healing wounds amongst other things.

How dates can contribute to your good health

Only sun-dried Mazafati dates from Iran are used for Nara date syrup. This means that they are dried in the sun for countless hours and preserved in natural fructose from which the syrup gets its deep, bittersweet flavour and perfect consistency. In addition, dates are a real treasure chest of fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Athletes and fitness enthusiasts especially value this Eastern fruit for its high potassium content which is vital for the muscles and nerves. A further advantage is that dates are strongly recommended for controlling digestive problems. Besides this, they are also an ideal part of a low carb diet, as the fibre they contain makes you full for a long time without consequences on the scales.

Buy date syrup online and sweeten up your day in a healthy way

If you like to follow a healthy diet but don’t want to do without treats, then date syrup is the ideal sweetener for your daily needs when you want something with just a little bit more flavour. Natural, vegan, and free from preservatives or any other artificial additives, date syrup allows you to make everything a little sweeter starting with your morning coffee, continuing with afternoon cake, right up until your last cup of tea before bed. Sugar can simply be replaced by date syrup in any recipe without needing to adjust the quantity. It gives a particularly good flavour when baking things with wholemeal flour and intensive spices, such as gingerbread which is traditionally prepared with syrup. Our sugar free banana cake recipe with date syrup, or the classic Middle Eastern yoghurt or pudding with the syrup as a topping are both also simple and quick to make, and truly delicious.

From hearty meals to sweet and sour – a sweet treat to fall in love with

Even though we’re talking about a sweet ingredient, that doesn’t mean that date syrup is only suitable for use in desserts and baking. In Israel and in the Arabic world there are a number of recipes where it is used as part of a marinade for meat and vegetables, as well as those where a dash of this spicy, sweet syrup is added to dips and sauces to make the perfect result. For example, the sesame paste tahini, or ardeh in Iran, is prepared with date syrup. Whilst we’re on the topic of dark barbecue sauces or tasty honey mustard dressings, only one more thing needs to be said: when it comes to using this golden brown, thick date honey, your imagination has no limits. But enough of the talk – the proof of the pudding is in the eating!