The Coachella Valley in Southern California.
The allure of the Coachella Valley
In addition to Palm Springs, the valley is home to Palm Desert, Cathedral City, Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta, and Rancho Mirage.
Coachella Valley is a mecca for adventure-seekers, nature-lovers, foodies, and lovers of music, art and culture. A playground for the rich and famous, Coachella Valley is known for international golf and tennis tournaments, the Palm Desert Food & Wine Festival, the world-famous Coachella Music and Arts Festival, and you guessed it, the world’s freshest, juiciest, and tastiest dates.
The stunning desert landscapes, including golden sand dunes and impressive rock formations, evoke a sense of awe and wonder. The majestic mountains that encircle the valley combined with the vibrant wildflowers, unique Joshua Trees and towering date palms in every direction create a unique, picturesque backdrop.
As the sun-drenched days transform into night, the crystal-clear skies of Coachella Valley unveil breathtaking sunsets followed by a clear, star-filled sky.
And when locals and visitors hit the Coachella Valley food and drink scene, California Dates take center stage. From our world-famous California date shakes to our unique date-infused cocktails and date-inspired restaurant menus, California dates are always in the spotlight!
Don't just make it a date. Make it a California Date!
The California Difference
California Dates are grown in the optimal conditions of the sun-drenched Coachella Valley, benefiting from the region’s unique climate and soil which contribute to their exceptional taste and texture.
Rigorous quality control measures ensure that each California Date meets the highest standards, guaranteeing a premium and consistent product.
By choosing California Dates, you not only indulge in a superior culinary experience but also support local U.S. farmers and contribute to the national economy.
Embracing sustainability, California Dates aligns with the state’s commitment to eco-friendly agriculture. For more details on their sustainable practices click here
California Date Varieties
While the Coachella Valley in California grows many varieties of dates, the region is most famous for its Medjool Dates, the crown jewel of dates, known for its sweet, creamy, and rich caramel taste.
Other delicious date varieties grown in the Coachella Valley include Deglet Noor, Zahidi, Barhi, and Khadrawy among others, each with its own unique textures and tasting notes. To learn more about each variety click here.
History of Dates in the Coachella Valley
The date palm is one of the oldest cultivated fruits in human history, with fossilized remains found in Asia indicating its existence millions of years ago. It is believed that dates have been cultivated for at least 8,000 years. The date palm thrives in regions with high heat, low humidity, and a constant supply of groundwater, which is why it is primarily found in desert areas.
The date industry in California’s Coachella Valley began in 1904 when Bernard G. Johnson established a USDA experimental station near Mecca, California. He studied the growth of date palms in the desert climate and cultivated six varieties from offshoots brought over from the Middle East. After a major flood formed the Salton Sea, Johnson relocated his experimental garden to an area west of Indio, where he imported Deglet Noor offshoots from Algeria and Iraq. His success in cultivating these date palms demonstrated the potential of the Coachella Valley as a date-growing region, earning him the title of the “father” of California’s date industry.
How date palms are grown
Date palms are grown either from offshoots of the mother tree or from seeds. Commercially grown dates trees are from offshoots to ensure desired date qualities. The scientific name, Phoenix dactylifera, refers to feather palms that may grow more than 100 feet and live more than 200 years. Date palms are planted in gardens or orchards.
Pollination
Date Palms are dioecious – having male and female trees. Females bear the fruit, males produce pollen. Commercial date gardens typically have one male tree and 50 female trees planted per acre.
Natural pollination by the wind is not efficient. Hand pollination is one of the oldest agricultural techniques. Mechanical pollination mixes pollen collected from the male flowers with a carrier such as flour and is dusted on just-opened female flower clusters.
“Feet in Water, Head in Fire”
Date palms are said to thrive with their “feet in water and heads in the sun” because they need plenty of ground water to drink, but high heat and arid weather to produce fruit. Therefore, date palms produce fruit only in the world’s hot, arid climates.
Harvesting
Date ripen in six to seven months and are harvested from September through December. Date harvesters, or palmeros, climb up ladders or are lifted by mechanical lifts to either hand pick the fruit, or cut the ripened clusters into containers that vertically shake off the fruit.
Packing
In the packing house, dates are fumigated and cleaned with water sprays, roller brushes or soft towels and dried with warm air before being graded by hand.