Jujube

Jujubes, also known as Chinese dates, are the fruits of Ziziphus jujuba, a tree native to central Asia. They do bear some resemblance to dates, as do the version known in India as the ber (Z. mauritania). Both trees tolerate heat and drought and are now grown in arid regions throughout the world. Jujubes are small, somewhat dry and spongy, more sweet than tart. They’re an excellent source of vitamin C, containing more than double the amount in an equal weight of oranges. They’re eaten fresh, dried, pickled, in rice-based cakes, and fermented into alcoholic drinks.