What is the Difference Between Dates and Prunes

The main difference between dates and prunes is that dates are the fruits of the date palm tree, while prunes are dried plums.

Both dates and prunes are sweet and chewy fruits. We often use them in sweets and desserts. Both these fruits have high fiber content and are known to help digestion. However, there are several differences between dates and prunes. If we look at their flavour, dates tend to be sweeter than prunes.

Key Areas Covered

1. What are Dates
     – Definition, Features
2. What are Prunes
     – Definition, Features
3. What are the Similarities Between Dates and Prunes
     – Outline of Common Features
3. What is the Difference Between Dates and Prunes
    – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Dates, Prunes

What are Dates

Dates are stone fruits, i.e., they have a single seed surrounded by an outer fleshy fruit. These fruits grow on date palm trees and are native to the Middle East. They are commonly cultivated across South Asia, Middle East, and Northern Africa. Moreover, they are a staple ingredient in Middle Eastern cuisine. We typically consume dates dried and have a texture similar to prunes. However, unlike prunes, they are rarely served in their non-dried form. Besides, the dried fruits are sweeter than their fresher form.

Dates are chewy and sweet and are available in several varieties. Most describe them as having a caramel-like taste. You can tell they are ready to eat when they have a wrinkled exterior, soft, luscious texture with a glossy sheen. We can eat them out of hand or use them as a topping for sweet and savory dishes. We can also incorporate them into salads and sauces. Dates have high sugar content, and their sweetness intensifies as they get ripe.

What are Prunes

Prunes are the dried form of plums. Plums are oval and juicy fruits with a stone at the centre, growing on trees in the Prunus genus. Prunes are made from specific varieties of plums that are reserved for drying rather than consuming as fresh fruits. Prunus domestica, Prunus americana and Prunus salicina are three plum verities that contribute to the production of most prunes. The drying process of plums gives prunes a darker colour and a wrinkled appearance. 

We can incorporate prunes into sweet foods as well as savoury foods. They are extremely healthy and give you many benefits. They have approximately five times the amount of calories in plums. Also, they have a higher amount of macronutrients, fibre, and minerals. Since prunes are dehydrated, they also have a longer shelf-life than plums.

Similarities Between Dates and Prunes

• Dates and prunes are sweet and chewy fruits.
• We often use them in sweets and desserts.
• Both these fruits have high fiber content and are known to help digestion.

Difference Between Dates and Prunes

Definition

Dates are the fruits of the date palm tree, while prunes are dried plums.

Sweetness

Dates are usually sweeter than prunes.

Calories

In addition, dates are high in calories, while prunes are low in calories.

Fresh vs Dried

Dates are available in both fresh and dried form, while prunes are only available in dried form. The fresh form of prunes is plums.

Shape

Plums are not very oblong, and their shape is rounder than dates.

Varieties

Dates have more varieties than prunes.          

Origin

While dates have a Middle Eastern origin, prunes have an Asian origin.

Conclusion

The main difference between dates and prunes is that dates are the fruits of the date palm tree, while prunes are dried plums. Moreover, dates are usually sweeter than prunes.

Reference:

1. Watson, Molly. “How to Choose, Store, and Use Fresh and Dried Dates.” The Spruce Eats, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “3579610” (CC0) via Pixabay
2. “Dried Black Grapes” (CC0) via Pixahive