Date craze: from gummy bears to gourmet chocolate – a sweet obsession

At fourteen, my foray into illicit employment – chambermaid duties at a respectable, if slightly bewildered, guest house – yielded a surprising discovery: a forgotten stash of Gummy Bears. That initial, unapologetic plunder of sugary delights set a course for a lifelong pursuit of concentrated sweetness, a trajectory that’s led me to a surprising current obsession: dates.

Beyond sugar: the rise of the date

Forget the simple rush of refined sugar. Recently, I’ve been consistently finding satisfaction in dates, particularly their strategic integration into chocolate, offering a nutritional profile that surpasses mere caloric indulgence. We’re talking fiber, essential minerals, potent antioxidants – and a genuinely effective pre-workout fuel. It’s a rather elegant solution, really.

My initial encounter with this trend began with Solkiki’s exquisite date bonbons: a decadent almond ganache cradled within a date, all encased in 66% Bolivian chocolate. The combination is simply phenomenal. To be frank, the cocoa content needs to be robust to truly counteract the inherent sweetness of the dates. These delivered – emphatically.

Sam Joseph’s 70% dark chocolate peanut butter medjool dates were another strong contender. My younger testers, predictably, are completely enamored with Forest Feast’s chocolate-covered fruit selection, making their date offerings a natural progression. But let’s be honest, the peanut butter and milk chocolate combination reigns supreme. It’s a menage a trois of epic proportions – a confluence of textures and tastes that transcends mere indulgence.

The date landscape – from bakeries to specialty shops

Birley Bakery takes the crown for sheer pillowy indulgence with their selection boxes. The caramelised white with pecan is particularly remarkable – a truly decadent experience. Initially, I confess to a purely visceral reaction, a desire to simply bite into their marshmallowness. It’s a testament to the date’s inherent appeal. Meanwhile, in London, Makers in Chelsea offers a curated selection, showcasing a delightful gingerbread almond praline – though peanut butter is also readily available.

For those seeking to harness dates as a natural sweetener, Cosmic Dealer has completely captured my attention. Their 75% chocolate-covered low-sugar squares, stuffed with a medley of nut butters and intriguing extras, are a revelation. I’m buying them in bulk – my current favorites are the peanut butter and smoked salt, followed closely by the salty fig. A testament to the fact that even simplicity can be extraordinary.

And there you have it. A quiet, persistent shift towards a more nuanced appreciation of sweetness – driven, surprisingly, by the humble date. It’s a trend with staying power, and one I intend to continue exploring.