A Short Guide to Choosing Good Dates

Good dates are plump, glossy and give a little when you press them. A dull, wrinkled skin means they have dried out.

Which kind?

Medjool dates are large, soft and caramel sweet, best on their own or with coffee. Smaller, firmer dates are better for baking and for maamoul.

Keeping them

Keep dates in a closed jar in the fridge and they stay soft for months. Take them out half an hour before you serve them, so their sweetness comes back.