The fruit of the giant date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) , which lives up to 200 years and has been cultivated for over 5,000 years.

Dates are oval or cylindrical, contain a single seed, and when unripe range from bright red to bright yellow in colour.

The fruit is eaten raw or dry. Very sweet.

Dates are about 55% sugar when picked and higher as they dry. In the U.S., dates are grown primarily in Arizona and California.