Is it necessary to refrigerate the dates? - Storage Guide

Dried dates are a favorite snack for many for their natural sugar content and filling properties. Although you can also buy fresh dates, dried dates have a longer shelf life, are more versatile, and are easier to store.

So, do dates need to be refrigerated? The method of storing dried dates depends on how long you want to keep them. You can store dried dates in the pantry at room temperature for up to 6 months, in the fridge for up to 12 months, and in the freezer for up to 3 years.

Read on for the ultimate guide to date preservation and answers to the most frequently asked questions about preserving the delicious palm fruit.

Is it necessary to refrigerate the dates?

Whether the dates are dry or fresh, they need to be kept in the fridge.

In the case of fresh dates, it is best to eat them as soon as possible after picking them up at the local market. As fresh dates come mainly from the Middle East or North Africa, they travel a long way before reaching markets and supermarket produce sections.

Since they are juicier than dried dates, they go bad much faster. Therefore, it is necessary to keep fresh dates in the refrigerator if you are not going to consume them in a month.

However, apart from keeping dates longer, there is another great reason why you should keep them cold.

Storing dates in the fridge helps preserve the flavor . Although dates can last very well in the pantry, keeping them cold will not only not affect their texture, but will also keep their delicious flavor for a long time.

3 ways to preserve dried dates - wikiHow

Dates are an easy fruit to store. However, you need to make sure that you maintain the right conditions. Otherwise, the dates are not guaranteed to go bad.

If you are having trouble deciding which storage method to apply, you first need to decide how long you want to keep your palm fruit.

1. Pantry storage

If dates are a regular snack for you or a regular sweet addition to your smoothies, storing them in the pantry under normal room conditions will work just fine for you.

Put the dried dates in an airtight container, plastic or glass, and keep them in a dry environment. 

The shelf life of dried dates at room temperature is about 6 months. As for semi-dried and fresh dates, they will last well for 4-6 weeks.

If you buy dried dates, keep in mind that they have already been sitting on the counter for a while. So pay close attention to production and expiration dates, and if you don’t plan to finish them in a couple of weeks, opt to store them at cooler temperatures.

2. Store in the fridge

Storing dates in the fridge is a good way to retain moisture, although there isn’t much in this fruit anyway.

While fresh dates last around 1 month in the fridge, the shelf life of dried varieties can be as long as 6-12 months . This makes the dates suitable for buying in bulk and preserving for later use.

To store dried dates in the fridge, just put them in a plastic bag, squeeze out as much air as possible to make it airtight, and close the bag tightly.

3. Storage in the freezer

It’s no secret that freezing extends the shelf life of products more than any of the methods mentioned.

You can keep dried dates in the freezer for up to 3 years.  But it is important to know how to do it to get the best results.

Place the dates in a resealable plastic bag and squeeze out the air. Dates may increase in size when frozen . So if you can, leave some space between the dates.

You can also use an airtight plastic container instead of a plastic bag. For double protection, wrap the container with a layer of plastic. It is important that the dates do not come into contact with cold air.

Do the dates go bad?

Dates are one of those fruits that don’t go bad very quickly . They can be kept for more than a month at room temperature and more than a year in the freezer, but they end up spoiling if you don’t manage to store them in the right conditions.

Compared to all other fruits, dates have a very low moisture content: 30%. As they dry, the water content decreases.

They are mostly sugar, which is precisely why you can store them at different temperatures for such long periods of time. 

How to tell if dates have gone bad

Even if you know that dates do not go bad easily, it is always good to know the signs that will help you know if it is good to consume them or not.

These are the signs that will make it clear to you if the dates are still good or if they have gone bad.

Color changes and mold

Dates have a very low water content, so they need very “special” conditions to get moldy. If you keep them in humid conditions, they are more likely to grow mold. However, a dry pantry and fridge should keep you away from this problem. 

As for color changes, it’s time to throw out the dates if you notice that they have turned darker.

Dates tend to turn white over time. But they are totally safe to eat.

Bugs and other creatures

It is known that you can find some unwanted guests in your fruits and vegetables, and dates are no exception.

Perhaps this is the reason why many people like to open dates instead of taking a bite right away.

Organically grown dates are more likely to attract bugs or worms . Therefore, you should carefully inspect the dates before you bite into them or toss them into your smoothie without much thought.

However, if you find yourself with an unwanted visitor on one of the dates, it does not mean that the whole package should be thrown away. Take a good look and throw away the ones you won’t be able to eat . Be sure to open and carefully inspect all of them.

Of course, you can accidentally buy a package that already comes with that problem. However, storage also plays a key role.

If you store dates in a container, do not leave it open, as the dates may attract some insects.  Dates keep safely in the fridge or in a tightly closed Ziploc bag.

Smell

If you don’t know dates, smell them before putting them away.  This way you will be able to distinguish any difference in smell once you take them out of the pantry or refrigerator.

Dates do not usually have a strong odor. They have a mild, barely perceptible odor. If you detect a stronger unpleasant odor, it may be an indicator that it is time to throw out the dates.

Related questions

Why do dates turn white?

If you’re someone who doesn’t know much about dates, you might be intimidated by the white tint that covers dates over time.

Since dates contain a large amount of sugar, this is a completely natural phenomenon. In fact, the white film is just sugar flecks. The sugar content of the dates is migrating to the surface of the fruit.

Eating “white” dates does not pose any health risk. However, if that bothers you, there are two ways to salvage the situation. 

1. Put the dates in the sun until you notice that the white tint has disappeared.
2. Place the dates in a resealable plastic bag and microwave for 30 to 45 seconds. Don’t forget to put a few drops of water in the bag to create steam and return the dates to their normal state.

Microwaving is also a good method for softening dates.

How are Medjool dates stored?

Medjool dates are a popular variety of dates. Due to their sweet and plump texture, they are a favorite with many. Perhaps this is the reason why many date lovers consider the Medjool variety to be the king of dates.

As for the preservation of Medjool dates, the shelf life and methods are the same as for any variety. 

Fresh Medjool dates can keep in the pantry for about 7 weeks. In the fridge, they will last about 6 months.

If you choose to keep fresh Medjool dates in the freezer, the shelf life will be extended up to one year.

Unsurprisingly, dried Medjool dates have a much longer shelf life than any other variety. By storing dried Medjool dates in an airtight plastic bag protected with plastic wrap, you can extend their life by up to 3-5 years.