Finding fresh or dried jujubes (also known as Chinese dates or red dates) is easier than it once was, especially with the rise of specialized online grocers and the popularity of Asian cuisine. Where to Buy Jujubes
: Stores like Walmart may carry them in their international or specialty produce sections, though availability varies by location. Seasonal Availability where to buy jujubes fruit
: These are your best bet for both fresh and dried varieties. Fresh jujubes are usually available seasonally at H Mart and Weee! . Online Retailers : Finding fresh or dried jujubes (also known as
: Typically harvested in late summer through autumn (August to October in the Northern Hemisphere). Some varieties like the "Indian jujube" may mature in winter or early spring. Fresh jujubes are usually available seasonally at H
Depending on whether you want them fresh, dried, or even as a tree to grow yourself, here are the best places to look:
: Many natural grocers and health food stores stock dried organic jujubes year-round as a "superfood" snack.
The fruit’s journey across the world began with the Silk Road. Traders carried the dried, wrinkled "red dates" in their saddlebags, introducing them to the Middle East and Europe around 380 CE. It wasn't until the early 1900s that the jujube made its official debut in America. An agricultural explorer named Frank Meyer—the same man behind the Meyer lemon—brought 67 different varieties from China to the USDA. They were planted in Chico, California, where the hot, dry climate perfectly mimicked their ancestral home.