Different Dates
Medjool dates are famous for their deep-red color, soft skin, fibrous texture, and rich sweet flavor.The variety is also known for its large size, sometimes reaching three to four inches long. This fruit is very moist, and it is perfect for consumption immediately after harvest.
Safawi dates are the black-colored, fleshy dates grown in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
They are recognized for packing in multivitamins and minerals that can lead to a plethora of health benefits. Safawi date palms are characterized by their high rate of productivity and exceptional quality.
Kalmi dates are the most coveted variation of the Safawi dates because of having a balanced sweet flavor.This variety of dates also has the same black color as Safawi dates, but they have a small, cylindrical shape, unlike other variations.Rich in potassium and other trace minerals, Kalmi dates are known to avert health disorders such as diarrhea. Kalmi dates play an important role during the celebrations of Ramadan.
Saudis consider Ajwah, or Ajwa dates, as a holy fruit. This specific variety holds a special place in Islamic culture.Several Quranic verses talk about dates as a blessing of Paradise.
Ajwa dates are a highly specialized variety that is grown exclusively in the Al-Madinah region of Saudi Arabia. They have a very smooth texture in the mouth, and the fruits have white lines on their light to dark brown skin.
The sweet flavor of Halawy dates tends to have the same characteristics as caramel or honey.
Halawy dates have golden-brown skin that appears more wrinkled than other varieties.
The flesh around the pit is quite tender, and it melts in the mouth like a highly delectable candy.
Saidy date palms flourish in hot conditions in Libyan plantations.
Its fruits have a striking golden-brown color, and its chewy flesh has a very subtle sweet flavor.
The Dabbas date is one of the tiniest date fruits around the world.
It has been initially propagated in the United Arab Emirates, and it has spread to other plantations in many regions.
Dabbas dates can be golden or dark brown, and the soft, smooth flesh has a mild sweet flavor.
If you are looking for low-carb dates, the Helwah variety packs the least amount of carbohydrates compared to other types.
Thoory dates are known for their exceptional nutty, sweet flavor. They are a type of dry date that has firm, golden-brown skin.The flesh is chewy and sticky, but they are not as sticky as other varieties.Thoory dates are also known as bread dates because their sticky consistency and nutty flavor make them ideal for baking.
Mabroom dates are the premium quality and decadent variety of the fruit.
This variety has a slender shape, and the fruits appear longer than other cultivars.
It is naturally packed with phytochemicals, antioxidants, vitamins, and trace minerals.
The fruit is very chewy, and it has a higher level of sweetness.
These loose-skinned fruits originally came from the Al Qaseem and Al Kharj regions of Saudi Arabia. Khola dates taste like caramel, and they are often paired with coffee.
Kenta dates come from Tunisia.This variety of dates have the mildest sweet flavor when compared to all the other types.The Kenta date is a semi dry date with a light golden color on its attractive wrinkling skin.
The Maktoom date variety is characterized by fruits having very thick, reddish-brown skin and unusually large size. Maktoom dates are also mildly sweet, making them ideal for those who do not like their dates to be super sweet.
Like Maktoom dates, Iteema dates are relatively large compared to other varieties.
Iteema dates have an amber coloration and an oblong shape, and they come from Algeria.
One of the soft varieties is the Empress date. It has a long, narrow shape with a slightly pointed tip and oblong proportions. Empress dates are known for their yellow crown, slightly dark yellow to brown skin, and moist and chewy flesh.
If you are looking for sugary dates, the Zahidi variety might be what you want.The medium sized, semi-dry Zahidi date has a smooth glossy skin with a golden-yellow hue.
The variety typically likened to caramel, butterscotch, brown sugar, and syrup is the Barhi date fruit.Barhi dates are very fragile, and they are the tiniest dates available.
One of the rare varieties of dates comes from Haleema date palm trees. They are only found in Sokna, Waddan, and Hun in central Libya.Haleema dates can be brown, amber, or black and are noted for having a soft consistency and less astringency.
Oman is famous for the Fard date variety.The fruit has a tiny pit, tender, dark brown skin, and a distinctive sweet flavor.
Another variety of dates from the Madinah region of Saudi Arabia is the amber-colored Ambera date.Considered to be one of the finest varieties, they have a soft flesh and a larger size than most Madinah cultivars.
Dayri dates are oblong fruits very similar to Barhi dates, but they can be medium- to large-sized.The red skin and soft flesh will turn golden brown after curing or drying.
Hayani dates come from Egypt, and they are available all year.It has a dark brown to black color, and it features an elongated shape and a meaty, sweet flavor.
Another semi dry date variety is the Piarom date palm.It produces long, slender fruits with dark skin and toffee- or caramel-flavored flesh.
Migraf dates are popular in Southern Yemen for their exceptional quality.Their colors range from golden brown to amber, and they have a reasonably large size compared to other varieties.
You can distinguish Sag’ai dates from other varieties by their crisp skin and overall brown color with yellow tips. Sag’ai dates come from Riyadh, and they belong to the dry varieties of dates.
Deglet Noor dates are semi-dry dates with a delicate sweet flavor and deep brown skin.
Like the Thoory variety, Deglet Noor dates are excellent for cooking.
The light golden Sukkari dates are considered to be the queen of all dates.It is a high-quality variety with a sweet flavor and a crisp texture.
The soft but firm fruits of the Khadrawy dates have an orange-brown hue and a distinctive sweet flavor.Khadrawy dates are best eaten as soon as they are picked because they do not keep well compared to other varieties.
Khudri dates have a dark brown to black color that makes them look like enlarged raisins.
This variety is relatively cheap, and it can stay fresh for extended periods.
The mazafati date came from the city of Bam in Iran, but its cultivation has spread further around the Middle East.
These are medium-sized dates generally growing to 3-4 cm (1 – 1 ½ inches). They are dark brown with a taste of caramel and chocolate. These are so sweet and tasty
They are medium-sized and oval-shaped with a dark brown color and a soft, moist texture. Harmony dates are exceptionally sweet with a luscious syrupy flavor. They have a smooth and creamy consistency.
Harmony Dates are often eaten raw as a naturally sweet treat, but are also good to use as a natural sweetener and thickener in smoothies. People often add them to oatmeal or yogurt, but they will serve you well in any baking recipe you want to come out on the sweet side.
These dates are native to the Middle East, but we aren’t quite sure where, probably Iran.
They are medium-sized at around 2.5 -4 cm (1 – 1 ½ inches) with a reddish to dark brown color. Sayer dates are semi-dry dates with a soft texture and sweet flavor.
Sayer dates are reportedly one of the easier dates to pit
Zahidi Dates are native to Iran but are now cultivated in several countries across the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
They are medium-sized, with a light golden or yellowish color. They have a firm chewy texture and a relatively drier consistency compared to other types of dates. Zahidi dates are mildly sweet with a slight nuttiness with a hint of peanut butter taste.
Zahidi Dates are commonly used in cooking and baking in recipes calling for a less sweet date. They can be incorporated into a variety of recipes, such as cakes, bread, and salads.
These dates are also known as Khajur or Kharjura Dates, and are native to the Middle East, including countries like Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. Khajoor dates come in different sizes and shapes, but they are typically oblong or almost cylindrical. They have a very wrinkled skin that ranges in color from light yellow to dark brown, depending on the ripeness.
Khajoor dates have a sweet and chewy flesh with a slightly fibrous texture. The flavor can vary from mild and honey-like to intensely sweet, depending on the variety and ripeness.
Khajoor dates are widely consumed as a natural sweetener and energy booster. They are often eaten as a snack on their own or used in various dishes such as desserts, smoothies, and date syrups. They are also a common ingredient in Middle Eastern cuisine.
Also known as the Khajur Date, this date, as its name would suggest, comes from India.
Indian dates are small to medium-sized dates with a dark brown to black color. They have a soft and chewy texture and are slightly wrinkled. Indian dates have a sweet and mildly tangy flavor. They are less sugary compared to some other varieties and have a subtle caramel taste. The texture is slightly fibrous but still tender. Indian dates are extensively used in Indian cuisine, particularly sweet preparations such as ladoos (sweet balls). They can be incorporated into smoothies, milkshakes, or used as a natural sweetener in dishes.
Also known as Iranian dates, Persian dates are a popular type that originated in Iran (formerly known as Persia). Persian dates have been cultivated in Iran for centuries and are considered a significant part of the country’s agricultural heritage. Iran is one of the largest producers and exporters of dates worldwide, and the southern regions of the country, such as Kerman, Hormozgan, and Sistan-Baluchestan, are renowned for their high-quality date production.
Persian dates are medium-sized fruits with a dark brown to blackish color. They have a soft and moist texture, which gives them a rich, almost melt-in-your-mouth consistency. The flesh of Persian dates is often described as luscious, succulent, exceptionally sweet, and having caramel-like undertones.
Persian dates have a wide range of uses in culinary applications. They can be consumed fresh, but are often used as an ingredient in both sweet and savory dishes. Persian dates are often incorporated into desserts, such as cakes and pastries. They can also be added to breakfast favorites like cereals, yogurt, or smoothies to enhance their taste and nutritional value.
The rabbi date is native to Iran, and is one of the oldest known date varieties.
Appearance & Flavor: They are medium to large dates growing to 3-5 cm (1-2 inches). These reddish black dates have a soft texture and pleasant sweet taste.
Some people believe rabbi dates are the best-tasting variety, making them best eaten fresh rather than in a recipe. These dates will likely prove hard to find.
These are dry, soft, and fleshy dates from Saudi Arabia
The following is a list of other date cultivars grown in different parts of the world.
Khenaizi
Sellaj
Umeljwary
Barakawi
Manakbir
Zaghloul
Aseel
Lulu
Umelkhashab
Tagyat
Mgmaget Ayuob
Nabtat-seyf
Tamej
Bireir
Mishriq
Rotab
Datça
Aabel
Al-Khunaizi
Khastawi
Khalasah
Abid Rahim
Ftimi or Alligue
Amir Hajj or Amer Haj