Dates vs Figs: What Is The Difference?

The first look at Figs or Dates might not impress that much, but the fact that both of these incredibly fiber-rich and nutritious pack a considerable punch – energy-wise. Although they both are stacked with all the good stuff for human mental and physical conditions, what truly separates them? How can you tell them apart? Well, I know that some middle-easterners will be down in the chatbox saying, well, it’s pretty obvious – and yeah, it is to some people – but what truly distinguishes these two? What’s the difference between Figs and Date? Let’ get hacking at those characteristics.

What Are Iranian Dates?

If oil wasn’t crowned “Black Gold” and it didn’t have such an unmatched role in today’s world and industry, the next in the line would unquestionably be “Dates”; the precious gifts of the rugged lands stacked on top of the palm trees for which stories and anecdotes can be found in plenty in ancient times and have literally saved dynasties and kingdoms from starvation.

Tracking back the Iranian dates’ stories will throw you back to almost 6000 years ago, some 4000 years B.C, where even the history itself was ripe and not ready to be cultivated. Even then, in the heights of some impressive and well-beyond-their-time civilizations located in Iran, these fruits, whether they were consumed as Dried Dates or fresh dates, had a special place among the people and along with the eating table. Iranian dates have ever since been mentioned countless times in the history books and even in other cultures’ history chapters.

Dates Benefits:

• Highly Nutritious
• Fiber Levels Through The Rough
• Plenty of Antioxidants
• Increase Brain Functionality
• May Promote Natural Labor
• Exquisite Natural Sweetener (Replacement For Synthesized Sugar Cubes)
• Integral Part of any Healthy Diet
• Excellent Natural Supplement to Vegan Courses

What Are Iranian Figs?

Iranian figs are some of the best figs out there, and they are classified as super dried figs with bright exteriors. The grain-studded inverted flowers are mostly mouth-opened with the flesh covered in a sometimes white, sometimes yellow, and even sometimes cream crust. This type of fig, known as type C, usually contains 20 to 24 millimeters of grains.

The Iranian fig fruits come in with a plethora of beneficial characteristics such as Vitamin C, B, and C alongside impressive levels of potassium, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorous, which reminds us of another Persian-unique treat: the Iranian semi-dried dates; especially ones like Mazafati Dates, Sayer Dates, and even the splendid Piarom Dates.

Also, we don’t know if this can help you single out the fig fruits, but in some cases, the Holy Quran, the Shia’s sacred book, swears and takes into example the famous “Paradise Fig Fruit” as a lush and fruitful land where the fig drops are plentiful, and the blessing doesn’t stop.

Figs Benefits:

• Natural Prebiotics
• Helpful in Insulation Regulatory Measures
• Stashes of Calcium
• Estrogen Buster
• Anti-cancer Properties

Difference Between The Physical Forms

The difference in the physical appearance, shape, and form of figs and dates is so hard to write about since typically one is, for the most part, white-skinned and the other one dark-toned. Fundamentally, figs should be semi-round fruits, and dates should have an oval structure, but that’s not always the case; for so many variants of Iranian Dry Fruits and Nuts are yielded and produced in mainly the middle-east and arid regions that even the colors tend to shift away from the traditional figs-being-white and dates-being-black.

As courtly described, both of these fruits possess the same hard exterior, a direct result of the skin-scorching conditions in which they’ve been nurtured. However, to that fact, a single touch over one of these fruits will show you that they somehow feel different. Dates and technically speaking Iranian dates feel less rough-surfaced with more like layers of skin sensation layers. On the other hand, Iranian figs make a rocky sound if somebody flicks the crust and takes a lot more effort to crack open.

After cracking, the meaty interior of both blesses us with the unparalleled sweetness of the soil.

They are both juicy, syrupy, and easy to sink teethes into products, but Iranian dates produce are more Date Syrup and pricy date-oil pours all over the hands and the face when eating one. Consequently, it’s sometimes best to even use a fork to slice through the dates and then have a go. Date oil is rare to come by and has a hefty price tag compared to other oils for all of its medical and cosmetic benefits.

To be completely honest, figures don’t make such a big mess and feel more rewarding to pop open using the old fashion way. They come in different shapes and colors but usually the Iranian dried figs and white-skinned. However, in some yields, stacks of Iranian purple-colored figs with fewer grains are hard to miss, and they have their own very dedicated fan-base and present distinguished medical benefits.

Difference Between The Bearing Lands

The difference between figs and dates cultivation lands isn’t much, while most are yielded in almost-similar regions. Finding both products in the more climatically challenging and hot areas of Iran isn’t that tough of a quest, and they play a significant role in Iran’s flower and flora export efforts.

The difference between figs and dates is that they come from different varieties of flora. Figs grow on the flowering plants called Ficus Carica, which are native to Western Asia and the Mediterranean. Scientifically speaking, figs aren’t fruits and somewhat inverted flowers, pushing them into a specific flower category.

On the contrary, dates grow on the tree Phoenix Dactylifera, commonly known as the date palm tree. These fruit-bearing trees’ origin is unknown; however, they are believed to have come from the Fertile Crescent region that lies between Mesopotamia and Egypt.

Fortunately for Noshid’s customers, both – let’s just say fruits – are available in the highest quality in the depths of Iran’s dry-lands, and the farms are easily accessible. Noshid offers these two massively popular dried/semi-dried fruits to a wide range of abroad and domestic customers in their desired packaging sets through solid connections and excellent farmers. Whether it’s “Sliced Dates” or “Dried Fruits Mag” that contain both Iranian fig fruits and chopped Iranian dates, Noshid accepts orders in enormous quantities and delivers them in the most efficient way possible.

The Core Difference Between Figs And Dates

Besides the shapes, the main areas of comparison between figs and dates can be zeroed down in their health benefits and nutrition values.

Nutritional Content Comparison

The nutritional content is compared based on 100g of both dates and figs. However, they have different serving sizes. The serving size of dates is 7.1g which is equivalent to one date, and that of figs is 50g which is identical to one medium fig.

Glycemic index

Figs are classified as medium glycemic foods with a glycemic index of 61. On the other hand, Dates have a lower glycemic index and are classified as low glycemic foods with a glycemic index of 36.

Calories

Dates have 282 calories per 100g. Comparatively, figs have 74 calories.
Figs are lower in calories.

Fats & Protein

The fat content of both dates and figs is negligible.

Carbohydrates

Figs contain lower amounts of carbohydrates relative to dates. The carbohydrate content of figs is 19.18g, and the carbohydrate content of dates is 75g.

Dietary fibers

Dates contain 8g of dietary fibers compared to figs which have 2.9g. Making dates richer in dietary fibers.

Sugars

The sugar content of dates is relatively higher compared to the sugar content of figs. Dates have 63.35g of sugars, whereas figs 16.26g.

Vitamin Content Comparison

The main vitamin composition of dates per 100g is as following:

• Vitamin C: 0.4mg
• Vitamin B6: 0.165mg
• Vitamin B5: 0.59mg
• Folate: 19mcg
• Vitamin K: 2.7mcg

The main vitamin composition of figs per 100g is as following:

• Vitamin C: 2mg
• Vitamin K: 4.7mcg
• Vitamin A:  142IU
• Folate: 6mcg

Relatively, Figs are richer in vitamin C, K, and A. On the other hand, dates are richer in folate, vitamin B5, and B6.

Mineral-Level Readings

Figs are also a better source of minerals, including calcium, iron, and zinc. Figs have more than twice the amount of calcium and iron as dates. Calcium is vital for bone health, and iron carries oxygen throughout your body. While figs are a better source of zinc than dates, the difference is not as remarkable as calcium and iron. You need zinc to help fight colds and heal wounds. Dates are a slightly better source of potassium than figs. Potassium is a mineral that helps your body maintain fluid balance.

While they both resonate deeply with the middle-eastern and North-African cultures and even religious beliefs, to be entirely honest, dates contain more saturated sugar levels, making them the perfect sun-dying afternoon or sun-rising meals side-kicks. Dates don’t have the numberless amount of grains, and it’s usually one sturdy big seed in the middle that can be pitted and tossed away. On the other hand, figs, especially Iranian dried figs, have infinite grains, giving them a more crunchy taste.

Botany Inspection

From a botanical point of view, dates and figs aren’t the same kinds of food. The date is the fruit of the date palm tree. Specifically, it is a drupe — the type of fruit in which the fleshy, edible part surrounds a hard pit. Figs are edible vessels encasing hundreds of tiny fruits — informally known as the seeds. Like dates, figs grow on trees or shrubs.

Take Away

The main difference between figs and dates rests in their beneficial properties and how they contribute to the human body, healthy diet, some nutritious levels, and how they are perceived in certain cultures. Other than that, the differences lie in the shape, form, exterior feeling, grain count, and the final pricing methods. Whether one’s a vegan looking for a new additive to their diet or just an obese person fixated on cutting down on the industrialized carbons, both Iranian figs, and dates, in all forms, are some natural blessings to take into consideration. Dried figs and Semi-dried Dates possess the characteristics to truly revolutionize one’s daily intake.