Fresno Farmer harvests sweet jujube fruit gaining popularity

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- A sweet, football-shaped fruit called jujube is gaining traction in the Central Valley and beyond.

Fresno farmer Lam Truong grows over 9,500 Honey Jujube trees across 50 acres on his farm.

The fruit, also known as red dates, is prized for its honey-like sweetness.

"Everybody that eats this, they're very happy. They really like it," Truong said.

UC Cooperative Extension Advisor Michael Yang says jujube is becoming more popular, especially among Asian communities. About 100 acres are now grown in Fresno County.

"You try this, and then an apple," Yang said. "I would take this over an apple."

Truong ships his harvest to LA, San Francisco, New York, and Toronto.

To find the best-tasting fruit, you want spots of color on it.

"The red color tastes really, really sweet."

Jujubes can be eaten fresh, dried, or used in sauces and soups.

Truong planted his first trees in 2017, betting the fruit would catch on.

And once you try jujube, you can't have just one.

"Once people try it, they remember it from childhood," Yang said.

For news updates, follow Dale Yurong on Facebook and Twitter.