How to soften red dates
Red dates are a nutritious food, but sometimes the purchased red dates may become dry and hard due to being stored for too long or improperly stored. How to make red dates soft again? Here are a few simple and effective ways to help you restore the soft taste of your dates.
1. Hot water soaking method

This is the most common and simple method, suitable for softening dates quickly.
| steps | Operation | time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Put the red dates into a bowl and pour in hot water of about 80℃ | 10-15 minutes |
| 2 | Cover the lid and let the dates fully absorb water. | Waiting to soften |
| 3 | Take out the red dates, drain and serve | Eat immediately |
2. Steamer Softening Method
By heating with steam, the dates can absorb water faster while retaining more nutrients.
| steps | Operation | time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Put the red dates into the steamer, add water to the pot and bring to a boil | 5 minutes |
| 2 | Steam over high heat for 3-5 minutes, then turn off the heat and simmer for a while | 3-5 minutes |
| 3 | Take out the red dates and let them cool before eating | After cooling |
3. Microwave heating method
It is suitable for situations where there is an urgent need to soften red dates, but you need to pay attention to the heat to avoid overheating.
| steps | Operation | time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Put the dates into a microwave-safe bowl and add a small amount of water | 10 seconds |
| 2 | Heat over medium heat for 20-30 seconds, take out and check | 20-30 seconds |
| 3 | If not softened, reheat | Increase as appropriate |
4. Refrigerated soaking method
It is suitable for use when you are not in a hurry and can better maintain the original flavor of red dates.
| steps | Operation | time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Put the red dates into a sealed box and add cold boiled water | 6-8 hours |
| 2 | Refrigerate and soak | Best overnight |
| 3 | Take it out and drain the water | Eat anytime |
5. Cook with other ingredients
Adding dried red dates when cooking porridge or soup can not only soften the red dates, but also increase the nutritional value of the food.
| method | Ingredient combination | cooking time |
|---|---|---|
| Cook porridge | Red dates + millet/rice | 30-40 minutes |
| Make soup | Red dates + chicken/pork ribs | 1-2 hours |
| Sugar water | Red dates + white fungus/lotus seeds | 40-60 minutes |
Things to note:
1. Softened red dates should be eaten as soon as possible and should not be stored for a long time.
2. Avoid using water with too high temperature to avoid destroying the nutrients of red dates.
3. The amount of red dates softened each time should not be too much, and should be operated according to actual needs.
4. If the red dates have gone bad or have a peculiar smell, it is not recommended to eat them again.
Nutritional value of red dates:
| Nutritional information | Content per 100g | Efficacy |
|---|---|---|
| heat | 287kcal | provide energy |
| dietary fiber | 7.7 grams | Promote digestion |
| Vitamin C | 14 mg | Enhance immunity |
| Iron | 1.2 mg | Supplement blood and nourish skin |
| Calcium | 64 mg | Strong bones |
With the above method, you can easily soften dry and hard red dates and enjoy their delicious taste and nutrition. Choose the appropriate method according to different needs to rejuvenate the dates.
check the details
check the details