Candy Does Grow On Trees

In the late 1700s, European Jews were mandated to take on permanent family names. To show their link to the holy land, my forebears selected the name "Teitelbaum," which is derived from a tree indigenous to that area. In German, "Teitelbaum" translates to "date palm tree."

My grandfather, Yaakov Teitelbaum, moved to Israel with his wife, Shoshana, in 1936. Two years later, they celebrated the birth of their first son - my father - in Tel Aviv, a city adorned with palm trees, known for their tall, unbranched trunks and lollipop-like crowns of leaves. In the early 1950s, many families Hebraized their surnames to connect with the newly established state. Following this trend, the Teitelbaums changed their name to Tamari, a variation of "Tamar," the Hebrew word for "date," the fruit produced by the palm tree.

Dates have been grown in the Middle East since ancient times and are mentioned in the Bible as one of the seven species unique to the Land of Israel. When the Promised Land is described as "a land flowing with milk and honey..." (Exodus 3:8), it is commonly believed that "honey" refers to date honey rather than bee honey. One interpretation suggests that manna, the edible substance that "fell from the sky" (Exodus 16) and sustained the Israelites during their 40 years of wandering in the desert, was actually palm tree nectar dripping from the fruit clusters beneath the tree's fronds.

There are numerous varieties of dates. Some are soft and less sweet and tender compared to the semi-dry and dry types, which are harvested fully ripe after the sun has dried them on the tree. These dates have a chewy, fudgy interior, resembling candy. Naturally growing in a snack size, they can be eaten directly and are rich in sugar.

In contrast to heavily processed candies made with refined sugar and artificial colors and packaged in cellophane, dates are a natural, tree-grown option. Their edible skin acts as a natural wrapper. While dates are very sweet, they are also extremely nutritious, offering a wealth of dietary fibers, proteins, minerals, and B vitamins. They are an excellent source of calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and antioxidants.

In today's U.S. market, dates are being more frequently incorporated into energy bars, snacks, and healthy desserts. However, their advantages have been recognized in the Middle East for millennia. Traditionally, dates were given to guests as a sign of hospitality, providing desert travelers with a rapid energy boost and vital nutrients. Dates continue to be a fundamental part of the region's cuisine and daily diet.

At Sweet Tahini, we fully embrace dates. We incorporated them into our products, utilizing both dates and date syrup (created by simmering dates in water until soft, blending and straining out the pits, and then reducing the liquid until all the water evaporates), and in various recipes that we share on our blog and in our cooking classes.

My grandfather died in 2000, shortly after the start of the new millennium. The palm tree we planted as kids in front of his house has grown tall and remains there today. Two years later, my father, his oldest son, passed away, and we planted a dwarf palm tree beside his gravestone. My brothers' families have passed the Tamari name to the next generation, and I've upheld this tradition by naming my youngest daughter Tamar.

Top photo: The Tamari family's fourth generation is pictured on a date-harvesting vehicle within a palm tree orchard in Ein Yahav, Israel. (December 2019)

Now, let's head into the kitchen!

Sweettahini’s Date Roll

The date rolls we made and sold nationwide from 2019 to 2023 became a favorite among people looking for a naturally sweet snack or dessert. The tahini balances the sweetness of the dates while adding richness and nutritional value.

For our commercial version, we baked the rolls at a low temperature to extend shelf life. For a homemade version, this step isn’t necessary. If you choose to bake them, you can skip roasting the nuts beforehand - simply mix them in raw, as their flavor will deepen during baking. Bake at no more than 300°F for about 15 minutes.

Makes 1 log (about 8 servings)

Ingredients

• 145 g date paste, or 1 cup pitted dates

• 1 tablespoon tahini

• ½ cup dried figs, roughly chopped

• ¼ cup raw walnuts, roughly chopped

• ¼ cup raw hazelnuts, roughly chopped

• ½ teaspoon orange zest

Preparation

1. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the date paste, tahini, figs, and orange zest. If the date paste is too firm, heat for 20–30 seconds to soften. If using whole pitted dates, soak them in hot water for at least 30 minutes, then process in a food processor until smooth.

2. Dry-toast the nuts in a skillet over medium heat until lightly golden and fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Remove from heat and add to the date mixture.

3. Transfer the mixture onto parchment paper and shape it into a log. Wrap and refrigerate. Serve in slices as a dessert or snack, or on a cheeseboard.