Medjool or (Mejhool) An extremely large meaty date with a tiny pit. They are a plump, sweet, moist, and succulent date. Medjool Dates are widely considered to be the finest of all date varieties and are prized for their large size, extraordinary sweetness and chewy texture. These dates are deep amber-brown and have a slightly crinkly skin that shimmers from natural sugar crystals. Bite into one, and your teeth sink into satisfyingly sticky flesh that tastes of rich caramel, hints of wild honey and a touch of cinnamon. Only 24 calories per date (248 per 100 gram serving), dates are high in dietary fiber, minerals, carbohydrates, and contain more potassium than bananas! Yet they are fat and sodium free! Medjool dates can be added to cookies, muffins  or tarts. Their sweet taste and texture aren't just suited to desserts, but can provide great contrast with savory flavors. Cooks can stuff dates with cheese, sausage, or nuts. One popular recipe is to stuff the dates with nuts and wrap them in bacon. Alternately, chopped dates can be added to green salads or to Moroccan tagines. Their cultivation is a complex and labor-intensive process. Although date palms are naturally pollinated by wind, growers must hand-pollinate each tree to ensure adequate yield. A worker climbs the same 40- to 50-foot-high tree many times during the Medjool season. First, he trims the tree's dangerously sharp 4- to 5-inch-long thorns. Then he removes most of the dates to increase the air circulation and sunlight they need to reach optimum size. When the remaining dates reach their full size, he will protect them from birds, insects and occasional rain by covering them with burlap bags or nylon netting. Since dates do not ripen simultaneously, he must climb the tree several more times to harvest them. Soft dates such as the Medjool are so delicate that most are picked individually by hand rather than in large clusters. To store Medjools, leave them covered on the counter for up to a week or place them in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to six months.