Fig vs. Date — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 24, 2024
Figs and dates are both sweet fruits used in various cuisines; figs are softer with a unique texture, while dates are denser and sweeter, commonly used as natural sweeteners.
Difference Between Fig and Date
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Figs, coming from the Ficus tree, are unique in texture with a slightly wrinkled exterior and a fleshy interior filled with tiny, crunchy seeds. They offer a subtly sweet, nutty flavor and are often enjoyed fresh or dried. On the other hand, dates come from date palm trees and are known for their dense, chewy texture and intensely sweet flavor. They are almost exclusively eaten dried and are a staple in Middle Eastern cuisines.
Figs are versatile in culinary uses, suitable for both savory and sweet dishes, enhancing flavors in everything from salads to desserts. They pair beautifully with cheeses and meats, offering a sweet contrast. Whereas dates, due to their high sugar content, are excellent natural sweeteners, often used in baked goods, smoothies, and energy bars as a substitute for refined sugars.
The nutritional profiles of figs and dates also differ notably. Figs are lower in calories and have higher fiber and vitamin B6 content, but are less sweet than dates. Conversely, dates are energy-dense, providing a higher concentration of natural sugars, which makes them a quick energy source, but also richer in potassium and iron.
In terms of cultivation, figs are grown in temperate climates and have a shorter shelf life, which makes fresh figs a seasonal delicacy in many parts of the world. Dates thrive in arid, hot climates, primarily in the Middle East and North Africa, and their dried nature allows them to be stored and shipped worldwide more easily.
Figs can be eaten whole, skin and all, and are often noted for their somewhat laxative effect due to the high fiber content. On the other hand, dates need to have their pit removed before eating and are highly beneficial for digestion and quick energy recovery, making them popular in fitness and health diets.
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Comparison Chart
Texture
Soft, with crunchy seeds inside
Dense, chewy
Flavor
Subtly sweet, nutty
Intensely sweet
Culinary Uses
Fresh or dried, versatile in dishes
Mostly dried, used as natural sweetener
Nutritional Content
Lower in calories, high in fiber
Energy-dense, high in natural sugars
Common Usage
Paired with cheeses, in salads
In desserts, energy bars
Cultivation
Temperate climates
Arid, hot climates
Compare with Definitions
Fig
A fruit known for its mild laxative properties.
Eating figs regularly helps maintain digestive health.
Date
Essential in the diet of various cultures for their energy content.
Dates are often eaten at the start of an Iftar meal during Ramadan.
Fig
A small pear-shaped fruit with soft skin and many small seeds inside.
She enjoyed fresh figs with honey and yogurt.
Date
Rich in potassium and iron, providing numerous health benefits.
Including dates in your diet can boost energy and improve iron levels.
Fig
Can refer to the tree itself, Ficus carica.
The fig tree in the backyard began to bear fruit in late summer.
Date
A sweet, dark fruit often found dried.
Dates are a staple ingredient in Middle Eastern desserts.
Fig
Used metaphorically to signify something of small value in English phrases.
He didn't care a fig about the small inconveniences.
Date
The fruit of the date palm, Phoenix dactylifera.
Date palms line the streets in many hot countries.
Fig
Consumed in various forms, fresh or dried.
Dried figs are a popular snack during travel.
Date
Used frequently as natural sweeteners.
She used dates to sweeten her morning smoothie instead of sugar.
Fig
Any of various trees or shrubs of the genus Ficus, especially F. carica, native to the Mediterranean region and widely cultivated for its edible multiple fruit.
Date
The time stated in terms of the day, month, and year
What is the date of your birth?.
Fig
The sweet, hollow, pear-shaped, multiple fruit of this plant, having many tiny seedlike fruits.
Date
A statement of calendar time, as on a document.
Fig
Any of several plants bearing similar fruit.
Date
A particular point or period of time at which something happened or existed, or is expected to happen
The date of their wedding.
Fig
The fruit of such a plant.
Date
The time during which something lasts; duration
"Summer's lease hath all too short a date" (Shakespeare).
Fig
A trivial or contemptible amount
Not worth a fig.
Date
The time or historical period to which something belongs
Artifacts of a later date.
Fig
Dress; array
In full fig.
Date
An appointment
A luncheon date with a client.
Fig
Physical condition; shape
In fine fig.
Date
An engagement to go out socially with another person, often out of romantic interest.
Fig
To dress; to get oneself up a certain way.
Date
One's companion on such an outing.
Fig
(obsolete) To insult with a fico, or contemptuous motion.
Date
An engagement for a performance
Has four singing dates this month.
Fig
(obsolete) To put into the head of, as something useless or contemptible.
Date
The sweet, edible, oblong or oval fruit of the date palm, containing a narrow, hard seed.
Fig
To develop, or cause (a soap) to develop, white streaks or granulations.
Date
A date palm.
Fig
(intransitive) To move suddenly or quickly; rove about.
Date
To mark or supply with a date
Date a letter.
Fig
A fruit-bearing tree or shrub of the genus Ficus that is native mainly to the tropics.
Date
To determine the date of
Date a fossil.
Fig
The fruit of the fig tree, pear-shaped and containing many small seeds.
Date
To betray the age of
Pictures of old cars date the book.
Fig
A small piece of tobacco.
Date
To go on a date or dates with.
Fig
The value of a fig, practically nothing; a fico; a whit.
Date
To have origin in a particular time in the past
This statue dates from 500 BC.
Fig
A raisin (dried grape)
Date
To become old-fashioned.
Fig
The Lady Finger banana, also known as the "fig banana". (Cultivar of Musa acuminata.)
Date
To go on dates.
Fig
A small fruit tree (Ficus Carica) with large leaves, known from the remotest antiquity. It was probably native from Syria westward to the Canary Islands.
Date
The fruit of the date palm, Phoenix dactylifera, somewhat in the shape of an olive, containing a soft, sweet pulp and enclosing a hard kernel.
We made a nice cake from dates.
Fig
The fruit of a fig tree, which is of round or oblong shape, and of various colors.
Date
The date palm.
There were a few dates planted around the house.
Fig
A small piece of tobacco.
Date
The addition to a writing, inscription, coin, etc., which specifies the time (especially the day, month, and year) when the writing or inscription was given, executed, or made.
The date of a letter, of a will, of a deed, of a coin, etc.
US date : 05/24/08 = Tuesday, May 24th, 2008. UK date : 24/05/08 = Tuesday 24th May 2008.
Fig
The value of a fig, practically nothing; a fico; - used in scorn or contempt.
Date
A specific day in time at which a transaction or event takes place, or is appointed to take place; a given point of time.
The date for pleading
The start date for the festival is September 2.
Do you know the date of the wedding?
We had to change the dates of the festival because of the flooding.
Fig
Figure; dress; array.
Were they all in full fig, the females with feathers on their heads, the males with chapeaux bras?
Date
A point in time.
You may need that at a later date.
Fig
To insult with a fico, or contemptuous motion. See Fico.
When Pistol lies, do this, and fig me likeThe bragging Spaniard.
Date
(rare) Assigned end; conclusion.
Fig
To put into the head of, as something useless o contemptible.
Date
(obsolete) Given or assigned length of life; duration.
Fig
A diagram or picture illustrating textual material;
The area covered can be seen from Figure 2
Date
A pre-arranged meeting.
I arranged a date with my Australian business partners.
Fig
Mediterranean tree widely cultivated for its edible fruit
Date
One's companion for social activities or occasions.
I brought Melinda to the wedding as my date.
Fig
A Libyan terrorist group organized in 1995 and aligned with al-Qaeda; seeks to radicalize the Libyan government; attempted to assassinate Qaddafi
Date
A romantic meeting or outing with a lover or potential lover, or the person so met.
We really hit it off on the first date, so we decided to meet the week after.
We slept together on the first date.
The cinema is a popular place to take someone on a date.
Fig
Fleshy sweet pear-shaped yellowish or purple multiple fruit eaten fresh or preserved or dried
Date
(transitive) To note the time or place of writing or executing; to express in an instrument the time of its execution.
To date a letter, a bond, a deed, or a charter
Date
(transitive) To note or fix the time of (an event); to give the date of.
Date
(transitive) To determine the age of something.
To date the building of the pyramids
Date
(transitive) To take (someone) on a date, or a series of dates.
Date
To have a steady relationship with; to be romantically involved with.
Date
To have a steady relationship with each other; to be romantically involved with each other.
They met a couple of years ago, but have been dating for about five months.
Date
(ambitransitive) To make or become old, especially in such a way as to fall out of fashion, become less appealing or attractive, etc.
This show hasn't dated well.
The comedian dated himself by making quips about bands from the 1960s.
Date
To have beginning; to begin; to be dated or reckoned.
Date
The fruit of the date palm; also, the date palm itself.
Date
That addition to a writing, inscription, coin, etc., which specifies the time (as day, month, and year) when the writing or inscription was given, or executed, or made; as, the date of a letter, of a will, of a deed, of a coin. etc.
And bonds without a date, they say, are void.
Date
The point of time at which a transaction or event takes place, or is appointed to take place; a given point of time; epoch; as, the date of a battle.
He at once,Down the long series of eventful time,So fixed the dates of being, so disposedTo every living soul of every kindThe field of motion, and the hour of rest.
Date
Assigned end; conclusion.
What Time would spare, from Steel receives its date.
Date
Given or assigned length of life; dyration.
Good luck prolonged hath thy date.
Through his life's whole date.
Date
To note the time of writing or executing; to express in an instrument the time of its execution; as, to date a letter, a bond, a deed, or a charter.
Date
To note or fix the time of, as of an event; to give the date of; as, to date the building of the pyramids.
The letter is dated at Philadephia.
You will be suprised, I don't question, to find among your correspondencies in foreign parts, a letter dated from Blois.
In the countries of his jornal seems to have been written; parts of it are dated from them.
Date
To have beginning; to begin; to be dated or reckoned; - with from.
The Batavian republic dates from the successes of the French arms.
Date
The specified day of the month;
What is the date today?
Date
A particular day specified as the time something will happen;
The date of the election is set by law
Date
A meeting arranged in advance;
She asked how to avoid kissing at the end of a date
Date
A particular but unspecified point in time;
They hoped to get together at an early date
Date
The present;
They are up to date
We haven't heard from them to date
Date
A participant in a date;
His date never stopped talking
Date
The particular day, month, or year (usually according to the Gregorian calendar) that an event occurred;
He tried to memorizes all the dates for his history class
Date
Sweet edible fruit of the date palm with a single long woody seed
Date
Go on a date with;
Tonight she is dating a former high school sweetheart
Date
Stamp with a date;
The package is dated November 24
Date
Assign a date to; determine the (probable) date of;
Scientists often cannot date precisely archeological or prehistorical findings
Date
Date regularly; have a steady relationship with;
Did you know that she is seeing an older man?
He is dating his former wife again!
Date
Provide with a dateline; mark with a date;
She wrote the letter on Monday but she dated it Saturday so as not to reveal that she procrastinated
Common Curiosities
How do you store fresh figs?
Fresh figs should be kept in the refrigerator and consumed within a few days due to their perishable nature.
What are the health benefits of eating figs?
Figs are high in fiber, which aids in digestion and can help in managing blood sugar levels.
Can dates help in weight management?
Yes, despite their high sugar content, dates can aid in weight management due to their satiety-inducing properties and nutritional density.
What is the best way to eat dates?
Dates can be enjoyed as is after removing the pit, or used as a natural sweetener in various dishes.
What dishes are enhanced by figs?
Figs enhance both savory dishes, like pizzas and salads, and sweet dishes, like cakes and jams.
Can dates be eaten during a diet?
Yes, dates are a healthy addition to a diet when eaten in moderation due to their natural sugars and essential nutrients.
Are figs considered allergenic?
Figs are generally not allergenic, but some people might have sensitivities, especially to fresh figs.
How are dates used in natural medicine?
Dates are used in natural medicine to treat ailments related to digestion and energy depletion.
How do figs and dates differ in their sugar content?
Dates contain significantly more sugar per serving than figs, making them sweeter and more calorie-dense.
What nutritional advantages do dates offer over figs?
Dates offer a higher concentration of potassium and iron compared to figs, making them beneficial for heart health and blood circulation.
Why are figs not as sweet as dates?
Figs have a lower natural sugar content and a higher amount of fiber, which balances out the sweetness.
What are the environmental requirements for growing date palms?
Date palms require arid, desert-like conditions with minimal rainfall and high temperatures.
What climates support fig cultivation?
Figs thrive in warmer temperate climates and require a lot of sunlight and mild winters.
Is there a cultural significance to dates?
Yes, dates have significant cultural importance in the Middle East and North Africa, particularly in religious contexts like Ramadan.
Can you substitute dates for sugar in baking?
Yes, dates are a popular substitute for refined sugar in baking due to their natural sweetness and binding properties.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
