Dates are considered the oldest cultivated fruit in the world: Fossils show date palm trees thrived 50 million years ago. The fruit of the date palm was eaten as far back as 5,000-6,000 B.C.E., and they've been cultivated for about 6,000 years in the Middle East.

Hundreds of varieties of dates are grown throughout the world, about 12 of which can be found in the United States. Considered the "diamond of dates", Medjools are prized for their large size, extraordinary sweetness and chewy texture.