Jujube | An Ancient Superfruit - Nutrition, Benefits, Tastes, and Uses

What Is Jujube fruit ? 

Jujube fruit, also called the red date and the Chinese date. Despite its alternative name “red date”, the jujube fruit is not a date but rather a species of Ziziphus in the buckthorn family. It grows on a small deciduous tree or shrub reaching a height of 5–12 metres, usually with thorny branches. And they are sun dried on the tree. 

Jujubes has origins in China dating back more than 4000 years and It has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for its benefits across beauty and health contexts. Nowadays, it can be grown in other warm and dry climates like southern Asia and southeastern Europe.  

What Are The Benefits Of Jujube fruit?

You may not immediately think of a fruit as a source of medicinal comfort. But jujube fruit is here to change your point of view!
Jujube fruit possesses several incredible properties that provide a whole litany of health benefits. We made a list of the most important benefits below.

1. Acts As An Antioxidant

Jujube is scientifically proven to be a significant source of natural antioxidant agents. It contains antioxidants  (e.g. vitamin C, vitamin A)  and antioxidantal compounds including flavonoids and polysaccharide. This protect skin cells from oxidative stress, which helps reduce visible signs of skin aging like wrinkles, fine lines, leathery skin and dark spots.

2. Support Women's Health

This fruit is beneficial for anemia and people suffering from iron deficiency. Jujubes enable blood cells carrying oxygen to our veins to work more efficiently when consumed regularly.

Jujube is also rich in phosphorous. Together with Iron, they are key components of red blood cells, so jujube helps enrich and replenish blood. Holistic medical experts recommend women consume jujubes particularly during menstruation to offset the fatigue and other side effects caused by the blood loss.

A study proved that the concentrations of heavy metals were high in human milk, and the consumption of jujube fruit had some beneficial effects in reducing these harmful elements.

3. Anti-Inflammatory

Rutin (quercetin-3-O-rutinoside), one of the major phenolics in jujube, has been demonstrated to possess antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. 

4. Relieves Stress

Jujube in Chinese medicine is considered as a medicinal herb that calms the mind and relieves mental tension.
Jujube has been scientifically proven to moderate your stress hormone levels and provide soothing anxiolytic effects. 

5. Improve Sleep Quality

It has been scientifically proved that Jujube is especially effective for people whose insomnia and other sleep problems are related to stress and anxiety.

Also, both flavonoids and saponins—bioactive compounds found in jujube—have been shown to increase sleep time.

6. Strengthens Immunity

The polysaccharides in the jujube fruit help boost your immune health. Polysaccharides are a form of carbohydrate, and they are known to regulate your immune system as well as provide your body with an invaluable source of energy.

7. Improves Cardiovascular Health

Betulinic acid and jujuboside B are two components of this fruit that researchers believe contribute to cardiovascular health. They help prevent the aggregation of platelets; in other words, they help prevent blood clots.

8. Improves Brain Health and Memory

Jujube fruit helps improve neuronal differentiation, which allows our brain to make new neural pathways. New neural pathways can improve our memory as well as the function of our brain.

What Does Jujube fruit Taste Like? 

It's not as sweet as palm dates but full of its own distinct flavours. It's softly sweet with a bland mild fruitiness that evenly spread over the palette. 

Interestingly, the texture is lovely soft, spongy and fluffy. People describe it as a natural marshmallow. 

This is definitely a unique fruit with its own distinct taste that you have to try yourself to truly experience. Get jujube fruit here.

How To Eat Jujube Fruit

We've launched our Jujube Recipe Book! All the recipes are made, photographed and filmed by our founder Jia. 

Jujube fruit may be an unfamiliar, exotic-sounding name to your ears, but in reality, this fruit can be eaten just like any other dried fruit.
You can directly snack it or use it in recipes. Jujube fruit is naturally sweet making this a truly versatile ingredient. Find some recipes here.

1. Eat It By Itself

Dried jujube fruit is a great snack that will give you energy and keep your blood sugar from crashing. Eat it by itself or pair it with your coffee instead of a piece of cookie.

2. Make Tea

Make tea with dried jujube fruit by cutting it with a knife or tearing it up and adding it to boiling water. You can also combine it with other herbs and dried fruits to make a powerful wellness blend. 

3. Cook It

You can do so many things with dried jujube fruit. You can even incorporate it into your cooking! Try this Cheese Spread with Jujube and Mandarin.

4. Bake It

If you’re looking for a dessert that doesn't contain sugar, try to add jujube fruit for slight sweetness. Jujube works beautifully in so many different types of desserts. Think about all the recipes you can make with dried fruit. Try this pumpkin mochi.
We also use jujube in our  Overnight Oats  for the natural sweetness and nutritional benefits.

5. Mix Up A Trail Mix

You’ll never go hungry and your energy will always be high when you snack on your jujube fruit trail mix on your hike, or while you run errands. It’s easy to make: just add dried jujube fruit to your favourite roasted or raw nuts.

Where To Buy Jujube fruit

Check out our jujube superfruit and  Overnight Oats powered by jujube.
Get it delivered to your door! Within a few days you will enjoy the one-of-a-kind experience of tasting jujube fruit for the first time.

Dried Jujube Fruit Nutrition Facts (100g)

Nutrient	Amount	Unit	DV
Calories	281	KCAL
Fat	0.5	G	1%
Protein	4.72	G	9%
Carbohydrate	72.52	G	26%
Ash	2.08	G
Fructose	20.62	G
Fiber	6	G	21%
Iron, Fe	5.09	MG	28%
Phosphorus, P	68	MG	10%
Sodium, Na	5	MG	0%
Copper, Cu	0.233	MG	26%
Manganese, Mn	31.067	MG	1351%
Vitamin C	217.6	MG	242%
Thiamin	0.047	MG	4%
Riboflavin	0.053	MG	4%
Sucrose	8.63	G
Glucose (dextrose)	18.28	G
Water	20.19	G
Calcium, Ca	63	MG	5%
Potassium, K	217	MG	5%
Zinc, Zn	0.39	MG	4%
Selenium, Se	0	UG	0%
Vitamin B12	0	UG	0%
Cholesterol	0	MG	0%
Net carbs	66.52	g

Table from Nutrition Value