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Date Syrup

February 6, 2024 - Leave a Comment

Thick, syrupy, earthy, and sweet, date syrup is a welcome addition to any plant-based pantry that features a range of natural sweeteners. If you already use honey or maple syrup, and have experimented with agave or brown rice syrup, date molasses will fit right in. 

An image of date syrup being drizzled off a spoon over a full jar.
Jump to:
  • How is date syrup made ?
  • What does date syrup taste like?
  • Where to find date syrup
  • How to use date syrup
  • Looking for other useful Food Finds and ideas?

How is date syrup made ?

Also known as date molasses, date honey, silan, or debes, date syrups have been used since ancient times around the globe, from Bangladesh, to the Middle East, and from North Africa and Iran, to Türkiye. Most readily available date syrups are made from cooked down dates that are variously pureed or pressed, strained, and the juices then reduced into a thick dark syrup. 

What does date syrup taste like?

Date syrup tastes of dates, not surprisingly, and does share some similarity with sugar cane molasses and buckwheat honey. Date syrup is intensely flavoured with earthy and slightly smoky flavours, is perhaps a touch sweeter and has a fresher and juicier flavour than standard molasses, and is as perfectly smooth and sticky as honey. Whereas I would not likely spread or drizzle molasses by itself onto anything, I readily use date molasses on its own in a variety of dishes.

Date syrup in a jar.
An image of date syryp being drizzled on toast.

Where to find date syrup

Date syrup has become increasingly available in health food stores and some natural food sections at larger grocery stores, where it is usually labeled as date syrup. The trick is to find date syrup at your local Middle Eastern purveyor, where it will most likely be labeled as date molasses or silan, and in my experience, will usually be quite a bit less expensive than from other types of stores.

How to use date syrup

Date syrup has a particular affinity with sesame seeds and tahini, so a great place to start to get to know date syrup is my quick and simple Date and Sesame Crunch Toast.

As date syrup is thick and smooth, it can be stirred into, drizzled over, or slathered onto anything from roasted vegetables to delicious breakfast time toasts. Date syrup can be used anywhere another thick liquid sweetener is called for, including baking, cold or hot drinks, smoothies, yogurt or chia puddings, desserts, stews, tagines, salad dressings, and really anything you can think of that could use a naturally sweet and earthy accent. Experiment, and enjoy the fruits of your labours!

An image of Date Sesame Crunch Toast on an orange coloured plate against a white background.

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Hi, I'm Dara! I’m a lifelong food explorer. I’m passionate about creating plant-forward recipes, discovering ingredients, gardening edible plants, and connecting with local food cultures. I approach life and eating with gusto, and I deeply believe in the magic of food to bring people together.

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