Research Before Buying, Know the 5 Characteristics of Dates Containing Glucose Syrup

Illustration of dates (photo: Pixabay/Pictavio)

YOGYAKARTA - Dates are one of the favorite fruits of the Indonesian people, especially during the month of Ramadan. This fruit is loved because it has a natural sweet taste and its nutritional content is very high. However, not all dates that are sold in the market are completely pure without added glucose syrup. Therefore, it is important to know the characteristics of dates containing glucose syrup so that you are not fooled when buying.

To note, glucose syrup is an additive that is often used in the production of commercial food, serves as a sweetener, and a moisture-retaining agent, according to the Healthline page.

The addition of glucose syrup to dates is usually done to increase sweetness, beautify the appearance, and extend shelf life.

Unfortunately, dates that have been added with glucose syrup certainly have a higher sugar content than natural dates. If consumed excessively, this can have a negative impact on health, especially for people with diabetes or those who are limiting sugar intake.

So, how do you know if dates contain glucose syrup? Summarized from various sources, find the answer in the article below.

Features Dates Contain Glucose Syrup

In order to be more vigilant, here are some characteristics of dates containing glucose syrup that you can pay attention to:

Surface Too Glossy and Sticky

Natural dates have a soft texture and are slightly sticky due to their natural sugar content such as fructose and glucose. However, dates that are added with glucose syrup usually look much shinier, even as if coated with a transparent liquid. The shine looks unnatural and tends to be even across the surface.

When touched, the hand will feel very sticky and sometimes leaves a layer like liquid sugar. If you stack several dates, the dates can stick to each other. This is different from natural dates that remain sticky, but not to the point of leaving excessive liquid residue.

Excessive Sweetness

Original dates have a distinctive sweet taste, are soft, and tend to be "warm" on the tongue. Each type of dates has a different taste. For example, Ajwa dates are known for their light sweetness and slight caramel, while Medjool dates have a legit sweetness with a thick meat texture.

If dates feel too sweet to the throat or leave a sensation like drinking a sugar solution, you should be suspicious. Glucose syrup usually gives a "sharp" sweet taste and tends to be one-dimensional, unlike the natural sweetness of dates which is more complex.

There is Sugar Crystal on the Surface

Another feature that is quite easy to recognize is the appearance of sugar grains or crystals on the skin of dates. Indeed, in some cases, natural dates can also emit sugar crystals due to the storage process. However, the crystals from the glucose syrup are usually thicker and cover most of the surface.

Texture is Too Wet and Soft

Each variety of dates has a different texture. Deglet Noor dates, for example, are known to have a drier texture than Medjool. If you find a type of date that should be semi-dry but feels very wet, soft, and watery, this could be a sign of adding syrup.

Dates soaked in glucose syrup usually have uneven moisture. The outside feels very soft, while the inside can seem too moist and sticky like jam.

Covered with Ants

Another feature of the date is that it is covered with a syrup of glucose or is called.

As long as you know, natural dates will not be infested with ants, because the sweetness comes from the natural fructose in the fruit flesh.

This is information about the characteristics of dates containing glucose syrup. Get other interesting news updates by visiting the VOI.id page.