Black Dates (Black Jujube) - 大枣/黑枣 (dà zǎo / hēi zǎo)

Black dates, or hei zao (黑棗) in Chinese, are fresh Chinese dates that are smoked. Instead of the dried, red color these have a distinctive black color. They are usually larger than red dates because they are steamed, dried, and then smoked, providing its unique smokey fragrance and flavor compared to their red counterpart. Black dates are believed to help nourish the body and reinforce blood. A common tea women drink is black dates with  Angelica Root (dang gui), which helps to improve blood supply and circulation.

Precaution: Use Chinese herbs or herbal extracts with caution. Professional advice is suggested.  In TCM, Chinese herbs are often combined in the context of formulas to enhance each other's desirable action and to minimize any potential side effect. Consult a professional if you are taking any prescription medications or Western medications as it can cause interference and strong effect in the body.