Jujube ( Ziziphus jujuba ) belongs to the Rhamnaceae family , or buckthorn class , within the genus Ziziphus . It ’s a deciduous shrub or small Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , typically thorny , and classified as a drupe - develop mintage . The yield hold in a undivided punishing orchestra pit , kin to European olive tree or engagement , and the plant is closely related to species like Ziziphus mauritiana ( Indian jujube ) . It ’s a exogen with dim-witted , alternative leave-taking and humble , yellowish flowers . The plant is known for its resilience and power to endure drought and poor soil conditions .

aboriginal to China , jujube has been educate for over 4,000 year , with records date stamp to the Zhou Dynasty ( 1046–256 BCE ) . ab initio naturalise in the Yellow River Valley , it propagate across Asia via the Silk Road , reaching the Middle East and Mediterranean by antiquity . introduce to the U.S. in the 19th 100 , it gained grip in desiccate region like California and Texas , evolving into legion cultivars for food and medicament .

The fruit is small and oval , with smooth skin that changes from light-green to red or deep brown as it mature . As the fruit achieve full maturity date , it will also begin to wrinkle , resembling a dried date . Some varieties of Jujubes are considered edible in their yellow - green phase , and the hide may bear variegated hues of greenish , sensationalistic , and brown depending on the degree of ripeness . Underneath the surface , the flesh is frizzly , grainy , visionary , and semi - aqueous with a snap - like quality similar to an apple . There is also a small , uneatable Inferno found in the center of the pale green to clean flesh . Jujubes depart in feel from very sweet-flavored to a combination of cherubic , tart , and subtly tart .

The Jujube tree is also assess for its decorative properties , as the weight of the yield on the tree gives the branch an artistic , droop appearance . In China , Jujubes were traditionally grown to maturity and consumed when they were crinkle and dry out , containing a day of the month - like consistency .

Jujubes are nourishing - dense , offering vitamins C ( up to 70 - 100 magnesium per 100 g fresh ) and A , plus atomic number 19 , atomic number 26 , and antioxidant like flavonoids . They ’re low in calorie ( 79 kcal per 100 g fresh ) and high-pitched in fiber when dried . Traditionally used in Chinese medicine , they ’re associate to benefit like improved eternal rest , digestion , and immune funding due to bioactive compounds .

Chinese date are best beseem for crude applications as their sweet-flavored and laconic nature is showcased when consumed refreshed , out - of - helping hand . The skin and shape are edible with the central Inferno discarded , and the fruits can be eaten as a crisp bite , infuse into beverages , or slice and mixed into green salads . In plus to sassy feeding , Jujubes can be cooked into honey , jam , and syrups , made into a paste for filling in cake and pastry , candied , or incorporated into lather , porridges , and Elmer Reizenstein dish aerial .

jujube bush ripen from tardy summer to fall ( August to November ) in the Northern Hemisphere , with efflorescence availableness in September and October . Some cultivar , like Winter Delight , extend into early winter . Fresh jujubes are seasonal and perishable , while dried unity are available yr - round , particularly from major producer like China , Korea , and the U.S.

Types of Jujube

Li Jujube

Lang Jujube

Honey Jar Jujube

Sherwood Jujube

Sugarcane Jujube

Tigertooth Jujube

Shanxi Li Jujube

Chico ( GI-7 - 62 ) Jujube

Ta - Jan ( Big Date ) Jujube

GA-866 Jujube

Shui Men ( Shuimen ) Jujube

So ( Dragon ’s Claw ) Jujube

Winter Delight Jujube

Mu Jujube

Jin Jujube

Globe Jujube

Sihong Jujube

Contorted Jujube ( Dragon Jujube )

Autumn Beauty Jujube

Silverhill Jujube

Bok Jo Jujube

Redlands Jujube

Ya Tsao Jujube

Black Sea Jujube