The "soft" dates are fresh dates, which are in a constant cold chain after harvest and thus retain their original consistency. The "hard" dates are sun-dried and are harvested in a "late harvest". The fruit juice content is reduced by the intense sunshine. This sun-air drying process is the most natural way to preserve fruit for years without the addition of preservatives. It is therefore possible to store these dates at room temperature and the quality of the dates remains steadily the same, the vitamins and minerals are all preserved in the fruit. If the dates are placed in water, it does not take long for them to become soft again. This is because dates are hygroscopic and can release and reabsorb moisture.