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About our Big Jujube Dates
About
Big jujube dates, also known as Da Hong Zao (Ziziphus jujuba), are a type of Chinese red date that have been valued for centuries in traditional practices. Naturally sweet and deeply rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, these cherished fruits are often used in teas, soups, and herbal blends.
Whether enjoyed as a snack or incorporated into daily rituals, big jujube dates are a time-honoured ingredient known for their role in well-being traditions.
Potential benefits
Nourishment: Big jujube dates naturally contain vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre, including vitamin C, potassium, magnesium and iron.
Daily Routine: These dates are often enjoyed in warm evening infusions as part of a relaxing routine.
Seasonal Use: Jujube dates are commonly included in teas and soups during the colder months.
Traditional Use: Jujube dates are valued in Chinese herbal practice for balance and are often added to slow-simmered tonic soups.
Recommended Dosage
We recommend around 3 big jujube dates per portion. This fruit is a delicious treat and much more spongey than the typical variety of Hong Zao.
Jujube dates are red in colour and have a crisp skin with soft, juicy flesh that is delightfully sweet; however, be careful of the stone in the middle!
Alternatively, the dates can be placed in hot water and rehydrated for a juicer fruit. The water can also be drunk for a warming herbal tea.
Which Jujube Should I Buy?
We stock three different jujube products and they are not interchangeable, so it is worth knowing which one a recipe means:
- Big jujube dates (Da Hong Zao) are these. Larger, softer and spongier, best eaten as a snack or rehydrated in hot water.
- Whole jujube dates (Hong Zao) | 100g are the standard variety, firmer and smaller. The usual choice for soups and congee.
- Non-pitted jujube dates (Hong Zao) | 500g are the same standard variety in a larger pack.
Also worth knowing: jujube seeds (Suan Zao Ren) come from the same plant but are treated as a separate herb in traditional practice. If a formula asks for Suan Zao Ren, it means the seed rather than the fruit.
What to Use Them With
Jujube dates are rarely the only ingredient. These are the herbs they most often appear alongside:
- Goji berries (Gou Qi Zi) the classic partner in a simple two-ingredient tea
- Codonopsis root (Dang Shen) for slow-simmered tonic soups
- Coix seeds (Yi Yi Ren) for porridge and congee
- Dried rosebuds (Mei Gui Hua) for a floral herbal tea
Why Choose Vita?
At Vita Herbal Nutrition, we focus on providing high-quality herbs that are carefully chosen to support your wellness goals and enhance your recipes.
We are proud to offer a 100% sulphur-free range. Many others use sulphur to improve appearance and shelf life, but this process can alter the herb’s natural composition and may cause allergic reactions for some individuals. You can read more on our non-sulphur treated herbs page.
We follow the DaoDi principle of choosing each herb from the area traditionally associated with it, and we have worked with the same supply partners since 2010.
FAQ
Do jujube dates have a naturally sweet taste?
Yes, they have a mild, almost caramel-like sweetness, making them a popular addition to herbal preparations.
How do jujube dates fit into daily well-being practices?
They are traditionally used for their potential to maintain balance and are often included in nourishing blends.
Can jujube dates be part of an active lifestyle?
Yes, they are commonly incorporated into various diets and daily routines.
Are big jujube dates enjoyed in the evening?
In some herbal traditions, they are enjoyed in teas and tonics as part of a potentially calming evening practice.
How are big jujube dates prepared for use?
They are typically dried and can be eaten whole, simmered into teas, or blended with other ingredients.
What is the difference between Da Hong Zao and Hong Zao?
Da Hong Zao are the larger, softer, spongier dates on this page. Hong Zao are the standard smaller variety, firmer and more commonly used in soups.
Do these have stones in them?
Yes. The stone sits in the middle of the fruit, so take care when eating them whole.
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