Addicted to Jujube Fruits

The benefits of the little gem colored beauties.

Right now at the Farmer’s Market I am seeing plenty of fresh jujube fruits at various stands. Don’t let the cute name fool you, these are potent little gems.  It seems this must be the ‘fruit’ of the season these days like persimmons and pomegranates were a few years ago, because suddenly most fruit stands have plenty off them. The fresh ones are quite good to eat, however I am addicted to the dried out ones. They are my go to snack at the moment hidden in my bag, car, pantry and pockets. The dried jujubes taste like a cross between a pound cake and an apple. What makes them so incredible, besides the chewy yummy consistency, is the incredible amount of nutrients and medicinal value they carry.

The fresh jujubes are great for an added texture and sweetness in salads, smoothies or in a stir fry dish. They also are good for the kid’s lunches in the place of the usual apple. They are also a beauty fruit since they help fight inflammation and are anti aging with all their antioxidant powers.

Jujube have been cultivated in China, Korea and India for over 4,000 years and are also know as the Chinese red date. Jujubes contain so many vitamins that range from vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, copper, iron, phosphorus, and more. In Chinese medicine they use these wonder fruits to treat insomnia and anxiety probably due to the eight flavonoids that have sedative properties. They are also known to be anti-cancer and good for bones and circulation.

With the abundance of Jujube’s I am now considering getting a Dehydrator so I can have these all year long. Until then I am getting them from Burkurt Farms  and Ha’s at the Santa Monica Wednesday Farmer’s Markets.