| [ | Date | | | 2022-02-27 11:39 -0500 | ] |
| [ | Mod. | | | 2022-02-27 22:51 -0500 | ] |
| [ | Current movie | | | 50 First Dates | ] |
At the moment, my local grocers sell various types of dates, mostly in two categories, which I will call “small” and “large”. The small dates are slightly stickier on the outside, are shinier, and have a more delicate, complex taste than the large ones. I find the large dates are best enjoyed in halves, as they are especially sticky inside and I like smaller mouthfuls.
Aside from those aesthetical and gustative considerations, which amount to just a small difference, I wondered how the two compared pricewise. I like unpitted dates, as having to take care of removing each individual pit works as a pacing mechanism, letting me better appreciate each fruit.
I took a sample of ten dates of each type, and weighed the whole dates, then just the remaining pits:
| Date type | Weight of sample (g) | Pit (g) | Flesh (g) | Flesh by weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small | 88 | 8 | 80 | 90.9% |
| large | 157 | 12 | 145 | 92.4% |
This makes the larger dates look like a possible better deal, as they contain a lower amount of inedible pit than the small dates.
I bought the small dates at $10 for one kilogram. The large dates were $14 for two pounds (907g). This translates to:
| Date type | Whole date price | Pit price | Flesh price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small | $10.0 | $110 | $11 | |
| large | $15.4 | $202 | $17 |
The large dates seem about half more expensive than the small dates, based on price for the whole fruit. If we take into account just the weight of the flesh, the large dates are still about 50% more expensive than small dates. (The respective values are 54% and 52%; really in the same ballpark.)
Date weighing reference pictures (bowl weight pre-subtracted):
Brands:
Small: “Dattes medjoul”, Morocco, Bono Fruits & Légumes (via Panier Québécois);
Large: Natural Delights fresh medjool dates (via Metro). The manufacturer calls the cultivation location “Bard Valley”, “within a 150-square-mile radius at the intersection of Arizona, California and Mexico”. As of 2022-02-27, their FAQ states: “Natural Delights® Medjool Dates originated in Bard Valley in southeastern California. Today, it’s where most of our groves still reside. In recent years, our growth has allowed us to plant additional groves in northern Mexico where the same beneficial climate exists.”
Quick links:
David Haguenauer
<www@kurokatta.org>
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