Dates are not generally considered oily, although they do contain a small amount of fat. The flesh of dates has a very low oil content, typically ranging from 0.2% to 0.5%. The seed, however, contains a significantly higher percentage of oil, between 7.7% and 9.7%. Since the seed makes up a relatively small portion of the overall date (5.6-14.2% of the date's weight), the overall oil content in a date is low.
Here's a breakdown of the fat content in dates:
- Date Flesh: 0.2-0.5% oil
- Date Seed: 7.7-9.7% oil
Because of the very low oil content of the flesh, dates are primarily known for their high sugar content (44-88%) and fiber content (6.4-11.5%) rather than their fat content. They are a good source of energy and nutrients, but not a significant source of dietary fat.
In conclusion, while dates contain a small amount of oil, they are not generally considered "oily" due to the low percentage of oil in the edible portion.
