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As more consumers seek natural sources of sweetness, dates are rising to the occasion as a nutritious, lower-glycemic substitute for sugar. At the Winter Fancy Food Show, Spice Mama is introducing Just Date Syrup, made from 100% organic medjool dates. The syrup may be used to sweeten coffee or tea, in baked foods and as a replacement for sugar, honey, maple syrup or agave, according to the company.

Muffin Revolution uses dates to sweeten its paleo-friendly muffins, available in such flavors as chocolate cherry chia, banana blueberry coconut and banana coconut spirulina.

Dates add sweetness and binding to a date and rosemary free-range chicken jerky from The New Primal.

“Date seems to be standing out amongst alternative sweeteners,” Ms. Purcell said.