US: Medjool dates see Easter, Passover resurgence
Dates have also become synonymous with the spring holidays, according to The Bard Valley Medjool Date Growers Association (BVMDGA), the group responsible for Bard Valley Natural Delights™, the top-selling Medjool date brand in the US The dozen or so BVMDGA growers predict that up to 30 percent of all dates consumed this year will be eaten in conjunction with the April religious holidays.
"While Americans typically lag behind their counterparts in Europe and the Middle East in their appreciation of Medjools and other dates, we are definitely seeing resurgence in US demand, especially during the spring holidays," said Ed O'Malley, president of Datepac, which in collaboration with the BVMDGA provides 70 percent of the US Medjool date crop.
According to O'Malley, Medjools are a good source of fiber and contain slightly less antioxidants than pomegranate juice. Naturally sweet, they contain no added sugar, are low glycemic for sustained energy and offer important vitamins and minerals, including Potassium, Copper, Magnesium, Vitamin B6, Niacin, Calcium, Iron and Vitamin K.
Source: marketwire.com
