Origin
The Chinese date, sometimes referred to as jujube, has been grown in China for thousands of years.
Appearance and Flavor
Chinese dates have a spherical, tiny fruit (about 1 cm) and a wrinkled, reddish-brown skin. Their texture varies from crispy and crunchy when unripe to soft and chewy when completely mature, and their meat is chewy. Chinese dates often have one seed or stone in the middle. Chinese dates have a distinct flavor that is evocative of apples and blends sweetness and a hints of acidity.
Uses:
Chinese dates are frequently used in baking and cooking, or eaten raw as a snack. Desserts, stews, soups, and sauces are among the savory and sweet foods to which they might be added. The fruit is also used to make Chinese date paste or syrup, which is used in a variety of cuisines as a natural sweetener.