DATES, DICED (F08)

Dates, the fruit of the date palm tree, have been a staple food of many Middle Eastern cuisines for thousands of years. Thought to have originated as a cultivated crop more than 5,000 years ago, they are one of the oldest cultivated fruits. While many Deglet dates still come from the Middle East, especially Algeria and Tunisia, today they are also grown in California, where they were introduced by Spanish missionaries in the 18th century. In addition to their effectiveness as a natural sweetener for those avoiding processed sugars, dates also boast high levels of potassium and dietary fiber.