Think dates are just for the holidays? Think again! Medjool dates are King of the date family because of their size, sweetness and soft texture. Dates are considered the oldest cultivated fruit in the world – with fossils dating back 50 million years.

The Medjool date is plump and round and amber-brown in color with a crinkly, shiny outer-skin. The luscious fruit is packed with fiber, potassium and polyphenols.

You can leave them covered on your countertop for up to a week, or place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to six months.

Prep Suggestions: Medjool dates are absolutely perfect on their own, but they are delicious chopped into pieces and sprinkled onto salads, hot cereals or couscous. You can bake them into nut and fruit bars and even blend them into smoothies.

Nutrition Score: Medjool dates are sodium-free and high in potassium and manganese. They are fat-free and do not contain any cholesterol. One date contains 66 calories and 1.6 grams of fiber. A serving or two of dates is considered a good source of fiber.