The One Small Change That Makes My Smoothies Way Better

Every year, my husband and I travel from Chicago to Palm Springs to escape the cold weather and soak up the sun. Typically, I prefer to cook rather than go out to eat when I’m traveling. It’s more cost-effective and fun, especially when I'm somewhere with a bustling farmers market!

Palm Springs is where I discovered the magic of dates—and immediately felt compelled to do some research. Did you know it takes roughly 21 years for a date palm to produce its best fruit? Or that 90% of the dates eaten in the United States are grown in California's Coachella Valley? That's where I had a date shake for the first time, which completely changed how I made smoothies at home. 

Why I Add Dates to My Smoothies

I have a major sweet tooth, so I try to be conscious about the amount of sugar I’m consuming. I add dates to my smoothies instead of sweetening with honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar. Dates are packed with fiber, potassium, B6, and iron, making them the most nutrient-dense sweetener you can use.

Plus, the deep, caramel flavor that they add helps mask the flavors of any vegetables you might put in your smoothies, offering you the best taste with the least amount of refined sugar!

How I Add Dates to Smoothies

I buy dates that are whole instead of pitted, so the first thing I do is remove the pit and the cap. Even if you bought pitted dates, it’s worth a quick look to make sure there aren’t any hard pieces hiding out.

I have a pretty high-powered blender, so I’m not shy about adding the dates whole along with all of the other fruits and veggies I use. But if I’m baking with them or blending them into a milkshake, I’ll cut them up with a knife or even soak them for a few minutes in boiling water to help break down the tough outer layer.

Tips For Making Date Smoothies

• You don’t need a lot of dates to make a big impact in your smoothies and shakes. Start small, with one or two for a single serving, and taste before you add more. You'll be surprised at how sweet it gets!
• Dates are stocked in the produce section of the grocery stores where I shop. I can always find Deglet Noor dates and Medjool dates, but I like to experiment with other, less common varieties like Barhi or Zahidi when I can find them.
• My favorite things to pair with the caramel notes in dates are strawberries, bananas, and oats.