Jujube vs. Date — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 4, 2023
Jujube is a small, red fruit with a pit, while a date is a sweet, brown fruit, often found dried.
Difference Between Jujube and Date
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Key Differences
Jujube, also known as red date or Chinese date, is a fruit that grows on the Ziziphus jujuba tree. Its texture is crisp when fresh and it's often used in traditional medicine. Dates, on the other hand, are the sweet fruits of the date palm tree (Phoenix dactylifera) and are known for their sticky sweetness and chewy texture, especially when dried.
While jujubes are less sweet than dates and have an apple-like consistency when fresh, dates are known for their rich, caramel-like flavor. Jujubes can be eaten raw or used in various culinary dishes, often in Asian cuisine, whereas dates are a staple in Middle Eastern dishes and are commonly eaten on their own or used as a sweetener in recipes.
Nutritionally, jujubes contain a variety of vitamins and minerals and are said to have calming properties. Dates are calorie-dense, high in fiber, and packed with potassium. Although both can be eaten dried, a dried jujube is chewier and less sweet compared to the much sweeter and softer dried date.
Cultivation of jujubes spans across Asia, with over 400 varieties, while date palms are extensively grown in the Middle East and North Africa. Jujube trees are hardy and drought-resistant, whereas date palms require a lot of water for fruit production, thriving in hot, arid climates.
The shelf life of fresh jujubes is shorter, and they're less common in Western supermarkets compared to dates, which have a longer shelf life due to their low moisture content when dried. Both fruits hold significant cultural importance in their regions of origin for their unique flavors and health benefits.
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Comparison Chart
Origin
Ziziphus jujuba tree
Phoenix dactylifera tree
Fresh Texture
Crisp and apple-like
Soft and sticky
Flavor
Less sweet, slightly tart
Very sweet and caramel-like
Usage
Eaten raw, in cooking, or medicine
Eaten raw, in desserts, or as a sweetener
Cultural Significance
Used in Asian traditional medicine
Important in Middle Eastern cuisine
Compare with Definitions
Jujube
In confectionery, jujube is a type of candy
The candy store sold colorful jujube candies.
Date
Dates are a traditional staple food in Middle Eastern countries
Dates were served at the end of the Ramadan fast.
Jujube
Jujube is a small round fruit with edible skin
She snacked on fresh jujubes from the market.
Date
Historically, a date represents a specific day in time
The date of the signing was July 4, 1776.
Jujube
Jujube wood is valuable for its hardness
The jujube wood was perfect for carving intricate designs.
Date
The time stated in terms of the day, month, and year
What is the date of your birth?.
Jujube
Ziziphus jujuba, commonly called jujube (; sometimes jujuba), red date, Chinese date, Chinese jujube is a species in the genus of Ziziphus (some of whose other species are also sometimes referred to as jujube), in the buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae).
Date
A statement of calendar time, as on a document.
Jujube
The edible berrylike fruit of a Eurasian plant, formerly taken as a cure for coughs.
Date
A particular point or period of time at which something happened or existed, or is expected to happen
The date of their wedding.
Jujube
The shrub or small tree that produces the jujube fruit, native to the warmer regions of Eurasia.
Date
Dates The years of someone's birth and death
Beethoven's dates were 1770 to 1827.
Jujube
A thorny deciduous small tree or shrub (Ziziphus jujuba) native to Asia, widely cultivated for its edible fruit.
Date
The time during which something lasts; duration
"Summer's lease hath all too short a date" (Shakespeare).
Jujube
The small sweet greenish to red fruit of this tree. Also called Chinese date.
Date
The time or historical period to which something belongs
Artifacts of a later date.
Jujube
Any of various other trees or shrubs of the genus Ziziphus bearing edible fruit.
Date
An appointment
A luncheon date with a client.
Jujube
(also jj-bē′) A fruit-flavored candy or lozenge.
Date
An engagement to go out socially with another person, often out of romantic interest.
Jujube
The sweet and edible drupes (fruits) of several Mediterranean and African species of small trees.
Date
One's companion on such an outing.
Jujube
A fruit-bearing tree, Ziziphus jujuba or Ziziphus zizyphus.
Date
An engagement for a performance
Has four singing dates this month.
Jujube
The fruit of this tree, fructus jujubae.
Date
The sweet, edible, oblong or oval fruit of the date palm, containing a narrow, hard seed.
Jujube
A fruit-bearing tree, Ziziphus mauritiana.
Date
A date palm.
Jujube
The fruit of this tree.
Date
To mark or supply with a date
Date a letter.
Jujube
(North America) A type of candy; specific type varies by country.
Date
To determine the date of
Date a fossil.
Jujube
The sweet and edible drupes (fruits) of several Mediterranean and African species of small trees, of the genus Zizyphus, especially the Zizyphus jujuba, Zizyphus vulgaris, Zizyphus mucronata, and Zizyphus Lotus. The last named is thought to have furnished the lotus of the ancient Libyan Lotophagi, or lotus eaters.
Date
To betray the age of
Pictures of old cars date the book.
Jujube
A chewy gelatinous lozenge made of or in imitation of, or flavored with, the jujube fruit.
Date
To go on a date or dates with.
Jujube
Spiny tree having dark red edible fruits
Date
To have origin in a particular time in the past
This statue dates from 500 BC.
Jujube
Dark red plum-like fruit of Old World buckthorn trees
Date
To become old-fashioned.
Jujube
Chewy fruit-flavored jellied candy (sometimes medicated to soothe a sore throat)
Date
To go on dates.
Jujube
Jujubes can be used dried in teas and soups
Dried jujubes added a sweet taste to the herbal tea.
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.
Jujube
Jujube leaves are used for their nutritional benefits
He brewed a tea made from jujube leaves.
Date
The date palm.
There were a few dates planted around the house.
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.
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.
Date
A point in time.
You may need that at a later date.
Date
(rare) Assigned end; conclusion.
Date
(obsolete) Given or assigned length of life; duration.
Date
A pre-arranged meeting.
I arranged a date with my Australian business partners.
Date
One's companion for social activities or occasions.
I brought Melinda to the wedding as my date.
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.
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
Date
A date is a sweet, dark fruit often found dried
She enjoyed a date as a natural sweet treat.
Date
In romance, a date refers to a social or romantic appointment
They went on a date to the new sushi restaurant.
Date
In computing, a date may indicate a timestamp
The document’s date was automatically updated.
Common Curiosities
Are dates a good source of fiber?
Yes, dates are high in dietary fiber.
Do dates need to be pitted before eating?
Yes, dates have a pit that should be removed before eating.
Can you eat jujubes raw?
Yes, jujubes can be eaten raw when ripe.
How do you know when a jujube is ripe?
Jujubes are ripe when they turn red and have a slight give when pressed.
What’s the best way to store dates?
Dates are best stored in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
Can jujubes cause allergies?
It’s rare, but some individuals may have an allergic reaction to jujubes.
What climate do jujube trees grow in?
Jujube trees thrive in warm, dry climates.
Are dates vegan?
Yes, dates are a natural plant-based food suitable for vegans.
Can I substitute dates for sugar in recipes?
Yes, dates can be a natural sweetener substitute in many recipes.
How do dates contribute to energy levels?
Dates are high in natural sugars which can provide a quick energy boost.
Are jujubes good for your health?
Jujubes are believed to have various health benefits, including soothing anxiety.
Are dried jujubes as healthy as fresh?
Dried jujubes retain most of their nutrients but may have a higher sugar concentration.
Is there a difference in nutritional value between jujubes and dates?
Yes, dates typically have higher sugar and fiber content, while jujubes contain a variety of vitamins.
Can jujubes be used in baking?
Yes, jujubes can be used in baking similarly to dates or raisins.
Are all dates sweet?
Yes, all varieties of dates are known for their natural sweetness.
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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.
