If you have ever bought ingredients for Chinese soup, you may have seen both red dates and candied dates on the shelf. They look similar, and both can sweeten a pot of soup. But which one should you use?
The short answer: choose red dates for a gentle sweetness, and candied dates when you want a noticeably sweeter broth.
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Red dates
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Candied dates
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Also called
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Chinese red dates, jujubes, 红枣 (hóng zǎo)
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Honey dates, honeyed dates, 蜜枣 (mì zǎo)
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Appearance
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Usually reddish-brown and wrinkled
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Often lighter brown, larger or coated in sugar
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Taste in soup
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Mild, fruity sweetness
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Stronger sweetness
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Common uses
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Chicken soup, herbal soup, red date tea and desserts
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Pork rib soup, herbal soup and sweet soups
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Red dates are dried jujube fruits. Candied dates, often labelled honey dates in Singapore, have been sweetened during processing. Product names and ingredients can vary by brand, so check the packet if you want to know exactly what has been added. Neither is the same as a Medjool date from a date palm.
When should you use red dates?
Use red dates when you want the other ingredients to remain the focus. They add a light sweetness to chicken soup without making the broth taste like a dessert. They also pair well with goji berries, Chinese yam and dried longan.
Red dates are useful to keep in the kitchen because you can add them to both savoury soups and sweet drinks. A few dates are usually enough to start; you can adjust the amount the next time you make the recipe.
When should you use candied dates?
Candied dates are handy when a soup contains ingredients with earthy or slightly bitter notes, or when you simply prefer a sweeter broth. They are commonly used in Chinese soup mixes and can also appear alongside red dates in the same recipe.
Start with one candied date for a family sized pot, then taste the finished soup before deciding whether you need more next time. Its sweetness can become more noticeable as the soup simmers.
Can you substitute one for the other?
Yes, if sweetness is their main role in the recipe. The soup will taste different, though:
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Replacing red dates with candied dates? Start with fewer candied dates so the broth does not become too sweet.
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Replacing candied dates with red dates? Expect a lighter, less sweet soup. You can use several red dates, according to your taste.
For a recipe with a specific ingredient list, follow it the first time you cook it. That gives you a better idea of how each date affects the final flavour.
How to prepare dates for soup
Rinse the dates before cooking. Check for pits if you plan to serve the dates in the bowl, especially when cooking for children. Add them early enough to flavour the broth, and taste before adding any other sweet ingredients.
Whether you are making herbal chicken soup or a simple pork rib soup, the choice comes down to the broth you enjoy: red dates for subtle sweetness, candied dates for a sweeter finish.
Shop for your next soup at ZaHuoDian: Browse the ZaHuoDian collections for dried ingredients and cooking essentials. Check each product page for its ingredient list, pack size and availability.
