The date continues to make its mark in both gastronomy and food innovation. This time, it has done so in a big way—as the main ingredient in an artisan bread enriched with Omega-3, which has won first prize in the prestigious INNOBIOTEC 2025 Competition, organized by the Miguel Hernández University (UMH) of Elche.
The date continues to make its mark in both gastronomy and food innovation. This time, it has done so in a big way—as the main ingredient in an artisan bread enriched with Omega-3, which has won first prize in the prestigious INNOBIOTEC 2025 Competition, organized by the Miguel Hernández University (UMH) of Elche.
This recognition not only highlights the versatility of this ancient fruit, but also underscores its benefits for healthy eating and its potential in the development of functional foods.
The winning product was developed by four students from UMH’s Biotechnology program, who created an artisan bread made with whole wheat flour, natural date purée, and Omega-3-rich seeds such as chia and flax. This combination not only delivers a unique flavor and soft texture but also transforms the bread into a functional food capable of supporting cardiovascular, digestive, and immune health.
The competition jury praised the project for its originality, sustainability focus, and most of all, for the use of a local ingredient—the date—tailored to the demands of modern nutrition. In the words of the organizers, it is a “healthy, natural product with an excellent nutritional profile.”
The date, like those offered by the brand El Monaguillo, stands out as one of the star ingredients in the quest for a balanced and healthy diet. It is a natural energy source thanks to its high content of simple carbohydrates (glucose and fructose), and is also rich in fiber, potassium, magnesium, iron, and natural antioxidants.
Beyond its nutritional value, the date is incredibly versatile. It can be used in baking, breads, smoothies, healthy snacks, and even as a natural sweetener in both sweet and savory recipes. Its mild sweetness and fleshy texture make it an ideal alternative to processed sugar, which is increasingly under scrutiny for its negative health effects.
This award-winning bread is not only innovative from a nutritional standpoint but also in terms of sustainability and local sourcing. Using the date as a central ingredient connects to an age-old agricultural tradition, updated to meet the needs of today’s more conscious and demanding consumer.
In this context, the INNOBIOTEC competition is gaining recognition as a hub of brilliant ideas that promote research, entrepreneurship, and knowledge transfer between academia and the agri-food sector. This is where a special connection is formed with Bernabé Biosca Alimentación, one of the event’s partner companies and the parent company of the well-known El Monaguillo brand.
For years, El Monaguillo has been committed to high-quality date-based products, responsibly cultivated and designed for mindful eating. Its broad range of natural products reflects a dedication to tradition, health, and innovation. This vision aligns perfectly with initiatives like the award-winning artisan bread, which promote a new model of eating based on real, functional ingredients.
Bernabé Biosca Alimentación’s collaboration with the Miguel Hernández University of Elche strengthens the company’s role as a driver of innovation in the agri-food sector, highlighting the added value of the date and other natural products beyond traditional consumption. It is a clear example of how collaboration between universities and businesses can lead to groundbreaking products that honor their roots while looking to the future.
The recognition received by this date and Omega-3 bread points to a promising future—one of functional foods that combine taste, health, and sustainability. And the date, thanks to its nutritional makeup and rising demand, is poised to become a key player in the diet of the future.
At El Monaguillo, they know this well. That’s why their commitment to using dates as a foundational ingredient for new food solutions continues to grow. Because eating well doesn’t mean giving up the joy of eating—and the date is a delicious proof of that.
“El Monaguillo” date paste is a natural and versatile product that has become a healthy sweetener and an excellent alternative to refined sugars.
