Jujubes: which came first, the fruit or the candy? Jujubes the fruit are rather plain-looking, small and reddish-brown with a mild flesh that is apple-like when fresh and date-like when dried. Jujubes the candy are brightly colored, artificially fruit-flavored and so chewy they could pull a filling out. In the LA Times, food historian Charles Perry recently revealed the connection between these two very different jujubes.
Jujube fruits have been around far longer than the candy, growing in warm, dry climates around the world since the trees were domesticated in China 4,000 years ago. In addition to being eaten fresh, dried or candied, the fruits are used in traditional Chinese and Korean medicine.
The popular movie theater candy came much later, but it also had a medicinal use.
At the turn of the century, jujubes were thought good for chest complaints. Those candies originally contained jujube juice, and they may have been popular in theaters because people didn't want to cough and disturb their neighbors. Now they're just chewy, gum-based candies with any sort of fruit flavor.• Read more: Forklore: Movie Dates at the LA Times
Did you know about this connection between the two types of jujubes?
Related: In Season Now: Crisp and Sweet Jujubes
(Images: Jiang Hongyang/Shutterstock; J.T. Lewis/Shutterstock)
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I wondered about the connection. Just had jujube water (tea really) while getting a pedicure and LOVED it. Been on the look out for a good source. Any suggestions?
I never knew jujubes were red dates (what we call them in these parts of the world). The Chinese put them in savoury soups, herbal soups and sweet dessert soups.
Pardon the candy snobbery but the photo is of Jujyfruit. I think same company but different candy. http://goo.gl/ntFU9
jujubes actually look like this: http://goo.gl/gieXt which in some ways are shaped more like the real fruit. they are also more on the hard side than chewy...but can definitely pull out a filling.
i love me some jujubes but cant really eat anymore since the crowns.
this is a recipe for making candy from the fruit.CANDIED JUJUBES
(From California Rare Fruit Growers Association Newsletter)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
5-1/2 cups sugar
3 pounds dried jujubes, each poked with holes
5 cups water
Sift together the cornstarch and sugar, add to the water and boil. Carefully add the jujubes and simmer without covering for 30 minutes. Stir to prevent sticking. Allow the pot to cool, then cover it and refrigerate overnight. Boil jujubes and syrup again and simmer again for 30 minutes. Place cooled fruit in a food dryer and dry until it resembles dates.