Date syrup

Date syrup, also called dibs or rub, is probably the most common product made from dates after the fruit itself. It is made by crushing dates, mixing them with water to draw out the sugary juice, clarifying the juice and then boiling it down, often under vacuum, to a thick syrup of about 75 Brix.

At that concentration the syrup is self-preserving. Its sugars are mostly glucose and fructose, and its color is deep brown with a rich, caramel-like, slightly fruity taste.

Cooks drizzle date syrup over pancakes, yogurt and ice cream, and bakers use it in cakes, cookies, breads and sauces in place of part of the sugar or honey. Food makers have also used it to replace some sugar in chocolate and ice cream.