Premium Wholesale Dried Black Dates (Chinese Black Jujubes / Hei Zao) – Bulk Supplier
Our farm-sourced Dried Black Dates (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.), also known in traditional wellness as Hei Zao, represent a celebrated staple of botanical nutrition. Harvested from high-altitude orchards in Shaanxi and Shanxi, plump mature jujubes undergo a meticulous multi-stage curing process featuring controlled wood-fired kiln smoking and slow temperature-controlled dehydration. This artisanal transformation seals in natural fruit sugars, resulting in a shiny black skin, thick chewy dark pulp, and an unmistakable rich caramel flavor with delicate smoky accents. They serve as an essential functional ingredient for herbal wellness teas, traditional stews, dietary supplements, and retail snack packaging worldwide.
Why Partner with Us for Wholesale Dried Black Dates?
- Authentic Traditional Kiln Curing: Expertly smoked and cured using natural hardwood, producing a rich glossy black exterior and authentic smoky-sweet aroma.
- Plump Pulp & High Natural Sugar: High flesh-to-pit ratio featuring dense, chewy pulp packed with natural fructose and glucose.
- Strict Mechanical Sizing & Washing: Multi-pass optical sorting, sizing, and automated air cleaning ensure ≥99.8% physical purity.
- Comprehensive Export Safety Compliance: Non-sulfured, non-GMO, fully tested for pesticide residues, heavy metals, and micro-flora in compliance with EU and FDA regulations.
Nutritional Profile & Botanical Wellness Value
The traditional curing process concentrates the essential organic acids, dietary fibers, and bioavailable minerals inside every date. Dried black jujubes offer significant functional and biochemical benefits:
- Rich in Bioavailable Plant Iron & cAMP: Supports hemoglobin synthesis, cellular energy regulation, and blood vitality in botanical wellness blends.
- High Dietary Fiber & Digestive Wellness: Pectin and natural fibers assist gastrointestinal mobility and balanced microflora function.
- Potent Mineral Density (Potassium & Calcium): Aids electrolyte fluid balance, muscle contraction, and bone health in functional nutrition lines.
- Natural Flavor Enhancer in Culinary Applications: Imparts a deep dark color and aromatic smoky sweetness to herbal broths, soups, and fruit teas.
Technical Specifications & Quality Benchmarks
| Technical Parameter | Specification Benchmark Value | Testing Standard / Method |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Ziziphus jujuba Mill. var. inermis | Taxonomic Verification |
| Appearance & Color | Whole oval dried dates; Glossy dark purplish-black exterior, amber-brown pulp | Visual Inspection Scale |
| Size Caliber Grades | Jumbo (> 3.5cm), Large (3.0 — 3.5cm), Medium (2.5 — 3.0cm) | Mechanical Ring Sieve |
| Moisture Content | 18.0% — 22.0% | AOAC Electrical Moisture Meter |
| Natural Fruit Sugar Content | ≥ 60.0% (Naturally Occurring Fructose & Glucose) | HPLC Analysis |
| Purity & Physical Defects | ≥ 99.8% (Foreign bodies 0%; Internal mold < 0.5%) | Manual Cracking & Optical Control |
| Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) | Non-Sulfured (< 10 mg/kg) | Monier-Williams Titration |
| Heavy Metal Safety | Lead ≤ 0.5 ppm, Arsenic ≤ 0.2 ppm, Cadmium ≤ 0.1 ppm | ICP-MS Testing |
| Microbiological Limits | TPC < 10,000 CFU/g; Yeast/Mold < 500 CFU/g; Salmonella Negative / 25g | ISO Microbiology Protocols |
B2B Applications & Industrial OEM Customization
Our wholesale dried black dates serve diverse trade channels and industrial applications worldwide:
1. Herbal Wellness Teas & Soup Packs
An essential herbal ingredient blended with red goji, longan, and astragalus in traditional botanical tonic infusions and soup bases.
2. Food Extracts & Functional Beverages
Ideal raw material matrix for concentrated black jujube liquid extracts, herbal syrups, and functional health drink manufacturing.
3. Retail Grocery & Private Label Brands
Tailored retail packaging options (stand-up zipper pouches, clear bags, gift boxes) customized with artwork for ethnic and health food retail chains.
Packaging Options, Storage & International Logistics
To maintain natural moisture, preserve the glossy exterior, and prevent moisture absorption during maritime freight, our export packaging follows strict protective standards:
- Standard Bulk Industrial Packaging: 10 kg or 15 kg heavy-duty corrugated cartons containing a food-grade polyethylene (PE) protective inner liner bag.
- OEM Private Label Retail Options: Custom printed stand-up zipper pouches (250g, 500g, 1kg) or composite PET bags customized with your brand artwork.
- Warehouse Storage Requirements: Store in a cool, dark, and dry warehouse ($<18^\circ\text{C}$, relative humidity $<50\%$). Keep away from direct sunlight and strong odors. Under cool storage, quality is maintained for up to 18–24 months.
- Global Logistics Capabilities: Fast dispatch from Qingdao, Tianjin, or Shanghai ports complete with Phytosanitary Certificates, Health Certificates, Certificates of Origin, and COA attached to every shipment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: How are Dried Black Dates (Hei Zao) made, and how do they differ from Red Dates?
Dried Black Dates are produced by subjecting fully mature red jujubes to a traditional wood-fired kiln smoking and slow curing process. This artisanal heating process caramelizes the fruit sugars, turns the skin glossy dark black, and infuses a pleasant smoky-sweet aroma, whereas standard red dates are simply sun-dried or hot-air dehydrated without smoking.
Q2: Are your dried black dates treated with sulfur dioxide (SO2) or artificial dyes?
No. Our dried black dates are 100% natural, non-sulfured, and free from synthetic dyes or artificial caramel coloring. The deep black lustrous shade comes entirely from traditional hardwood smoking and controlled natural thermal reaction.
Q3: Do your dried black dates comply with EU MRL and US FDA pesticide residue standards?
Yes. Every export lot undergoes comprehensive laboratory testing (SGS or Eurofins). We issue official Certificates of Analysis (COA) confirming zero heavy metal toxicity, safe microbiological counts, and full pesticide residue compliance with EU MRL standards and FDA guidelines.
Q4: What is your Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) and sample lead time?
Our minimum order quantity for standard 10kg/15kg bulk export cartons is 1 Metric Ton (1,000 kg). Full container loads receive optimized tier volume pricing. Free sample packages (250g–500g) are readily available for prospective corporate buyers upon request (buyer covers express air freight).
Request Wholesale Quotation & Free Samples Today
Partner with a direct, origin-verified producer for traditional Dried Black Dates (Hei Zao). Contact our international B2B export team today to receive product specifications, official COA reports, real-time volume pricing, and sample packages within 12 business hours.
