Functional Fruits & Berries
Red Date (Jujube)
Ziziphus jujuba · Hóng Zǎo Warming
Red dates are fully ripe Chinese jujubes dried to a deep, sweet, chewy fruit. They are one of the most loved everyday ingredients in Asian kitchens, lending natural sweetness and depth to soups, teas and congee without any refined sugar.
Nutrition Highlights
- ✓High in dietary fibre for digestive comfort
- ✓Naturally rich in vitamin C and polyphenols
- ✓Contains triterpene saponins and flavonoids
- ✓Naturally sweet whole-food alternative to sugar
Everyday Food Uses
- ●Simmered into nourishing broths and congee
- ●Brewed with goji and longan as a warming tea
- ●A natural sweetener in black tea or oat milk
- ●Pitted and added to energy balls and granola
How to Enjoy
Use 3–6 fruits daily. Rinse, tear or lightly pit before steeping or simmering to release their sweetness.
Modern Research
Modern analyses rank jujube among fruits with exceptionally high polysaccharide and polyphenol content, with studies noting antioxidant activity and a traditional association with relaxation that modern research on jujube saponins and sleep quality continues to explore.
⚠ Cautions
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🍳 Recipes With This Ingredient
Snow Fungus & Pear Sweet Soup
A silky, lightly sweet autumn dessert soup where tremella blooms into a collagen-like texture beside soft snow pear, lily bulb and red dates.
Red Date & Ginger Warming Tea
A naturally sweet, spicy tea for cold days — red dates and longan simmered with fresh ginger and a little brown sugar. No caffeine, deeply comforting.
Astragalus & Red Date Chicken Soup
A clear golden broth in the northern Chinese tradition, slow-simmered with astragalus, red dates and goji. Deeply savory, gently warming and easy to love.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Red Date (Jujube)? +
Red dates are fully ripe Chinese jujubes dried to a deep, sweet, chewy fruit. They are one of the most loved everyday ingredients in Asian kitchens, lending natural sweetness and depth to soups, teas and congee without any refined sugar.
Red Date (Jujube) How do I eat? +
Use 3–6 fruits daily. Rinse, tear or lightly pit before steeping or simmering to release their sweetness.
Are there cautions for Red Date (Jujube)? +
Red dates are naturally high in fruit sugars. Enjoy in moderation if monitoring carbohydrate intake, and remove the hard pit before serving to children.
Where can I buy Red Date (Jujube)? +
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