25 Different Types of Dates Introduction

Dates are known to be one of the oldest cultivated fruits back to the ancient land that is now modern-day Iraq of at least 8,000 years ago. This would mean that dates have been a source of nutrition and served as a staple food for longer than most plants. This is a testament to just how beneficial dates are. Date palms are even called “The Tree of Life” for some Arab countries.

Currently, dates are making its way to popular mainstream with the Paleo eaters and whole foods enthusiasts singing praise to its nutritional content. So let us jump on that bandwagon and show you the different types of dates, their differences, appearances and nutritional values.

 

1. Ajwa Dates

Ajwa Dates is very sweet to the taste and feels smooth in your mouth when you eat them. They are dry but soft, and it is believed that these Types of Dates even have healing properties. There is a story about a prophet who claims that by eating seven Ajwa dates every single morning a person will be protected from magic as well as poison until the night falls. They are known as a superfood, and they are delightful to eat. You can even get these dates in a king size, and they have a very distinct cinnamon flavor. They are also one of the most expensive dates that you can buy, but they are well worth the price.

2. Ambera Dates

Ambera Dates are of very high quality and are known for their large size as well as their healing powers. They originate from the Medina region of Saudi Arabia. They are considered to be one of the finest of all teh Madinah dates. They are soft and fleshy and are also one of the largest of all the Medinah dates.

3. Barhi Dates

Barhi Dates are very rich and have a flavor very similar to caramel, brown sugar, butterscotch or syrup. They are very fragile, late ripening and are also the smallest of all the dates. These dates have a firm skin that turns amber and when ready to be cured the skin will be a golden brown. They are crunchy when they are yellow and soft when they are brown. They taste delicious in both states. These dates are named for the Arabic winds known as “Barh.” The interior of these dates is creamy and smooth.

4. Dayri Dates

These dates are both heavy and have a sweet flavor. They are medium to large in size and are oblong in shape. They have red skin and soft flesh and when ripened the skin will be amber in color. It will turn a golden brown when cured. They are very similar to Barhi dates, and they also ripen late in the season.

5. Deglet Noor Dates

The Deglet Noor date translates to “date of the night.” This type of date is considered to be a semi-dry date and is very sweet and delicate in flavor. It has a “true” date flavor and is medium to large in size. It has skin that ripens form an amber hue to a very deep brown and is perfect for cooking. It ripens late in the season. This particular variety of date makes up about 95 percent of US production. Deglet Noor dates are considered to be the “queen of all dates” and are very soft. They taste like sweet hone and are quite affordable. They are an all-purpose date that can be used in many different recipes or eaten on their own. They are also easy to cut into uniform pieces for better presentation because they have that dry texture. They are perfect for making cakes, pieces of bread, and cookies.

6. Dried Dates

 

Dried dates are ripened in the sun right on the tree. They have a long shelf life of 12 months or more. You can also freeze them to retain their delicious flavor for up to five years. They contain about 5 grams of fiber and about 3 grams of protein per serving, and they have a nice strong flavor. They also contain vitamin K and C, as well as iron, calcium, and B vitamins. They are also a great source of energy.

7. Halawy Dates

Halawy dates are soft dates that taste like honey or caramel. The name is also sometimes spelled, Halawi, and the name “Halawy” means “sweet.” They are small to medium in size, and they ripen about midway through the season. They have a golden-brown skin, and the flesh is tender. They are more wrinkled than other dates and has a very rich caramel flavor. They will melt in your mouth and are perfect for the caramel fan. They are used in many savory dishes and pair really well with cheese so Tahy would be a great addition to any wine and cheese tasting get-together.

8. Iteema Dates

These dates are from Algeria and are very sweet. They have an amber color, and they are oblong in shape. They are also quite large in size.

9. Kalmi Dates

Kalmi dates are dry yet rich, and they are originally from Oman. They are very popular during the Ramadan festivities. They are black in color and typically cylindrical. It is also very small in size. They are high in potassium and minerals, and they can even be used to help prevent many ailments such as diarrhea. These are possibly the most sought-after of the Safawi dates and have just the right amount of sweetness. They are cultivated in Madinah and are a nice variety of date from Saudi Arabia.

10. Khadrawy Dates

These dates are soft and sweet but not too sweet. The begin orange-brown and then change to light-brown as they ripen. They are large in size and oblong, and the flesh remains firm throughout the ripening process. They are thought to be the best of both worlds since they have a desirable texture as well as flavor. They are best eaten when fresh, and they will ripen in mid-season. However, they do not keep so they always need to be eaten as soon as they are picked. They are very similar to Halamy dates as they have a sweet flavor much like caramel. They are said to be the gooiest dates that you can buy, and they will melt in your mouth leaving a sweet aftertaste on your palette.

11. Khola Dates

Khola dates have a very sweet caramel-like flavor. The are very sticky when they are freshly picked and are often eaten alongside Arabic coffee. They are loose-skinned, and they are originally from the Al Kharj and Al Qaseem areas of Saudi Arabia. They are golden brown with somewhat translucent skin. They are a wonderful treat, and they are also high in antioxidants, minerals, and fiber. They are also fat-free, sodium-free, and cholesterol-free. They are a great snack for a quick pick-me-up.

12. Khudri Dates

Khudri dates are a dark-brown color, and they have wrinkled skin. They are sweet and are available in small as well as large sizes. They are often exported because they keep fresh for a long period of time and they are also inexpensive. Khudri dates contain calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, folic acid, and vitamins. They also contain fiber, and many studies have proven that they are an effective way to keep the body free from cancer. They are also great for strengthening a weak heart.

13. Mabroom Dates

These type of dates are considered to be of premium quality, and they are naturally rich in minerals as well as antioxidants. They are chewy and very sweet. They are harvested during the months of July and August, and there are three harvesting stages for Mabroom dates. They are a delicacy and are perfectly sweet. They are slender and longer than most dates. It is rumored that the Sultan of Brunei gives a box of these decadent dates to every one of his Muslim people as a gift during Ramadan.

14. Maktoom Dates

These dates are very large in size, and they also have a thick skin. The skin is a reddish-brown color, and they are just slightly sweet. They are ideal for people who enjoy dates but do not like them to be overly sweet.

15. Medjool Dates

Medjool dates are very rich, sweet, and delicious. They are also known as Medjul dates, and they have soft skin and fibrous texture. They are large, about three inches long, and sometimes even very large in size and they turn from amber to reddish-brown when they are ripening. They are very moist and are perfect for eating when they are freshly picked. Medjool dates are well-known in most stores and will moisten the palette. They have a very sticky inside and offer a decadent caramel flavor. They are ideal for using in recipes such as shakes, stuffing recipes, or energy bars.

16. Migraf Dates

These dates are also called Mejraf dates, and they are very popular in Southern Yemen because of their high-quality. They are golden amber in color and are large in size. It’s recommended to eat a couple of these per day to get the benefits and nutrients that these dates have to offer.

17. Safawi Dates

Safawi dates are fleshy and black in color. They are sweet and loaded with vitamins. They are grown in Madinah, and they are known for their many healing benefits. If you eat them on an empty stomach, they are capable of killing worms in the stomach. They are also very high in minerals.

18. Saghai Dates

Saghai dates are grown and cultivated in Riyadh. They are not soft, but they’re rather quite crisp, and they have a brown color. They are yellow at the tips and are also wrinkled. They are very good, and many who try them once tend to buy them again.

19. Saidy Dates

Saidy dates are popular in Libya, and they are very tasty and sweet. They are grown in very hot climates where they tend to really thrive.

20. Semi-Soft Dates

Semi-soft dates are not harvested when they are ripe. In fact, they are harvested when they are unripe. They have firm flesh, and some soft dates include the Medjool, Deglet Noor, and the Zahidi date.

21. Soft Dates

Soft dates are harvested when they are unripe and soft, and the Barhi date is just one example of a soft date.

22. Sukkari Dates

Sukkari dates are sweet and crisp, and they are also high-quality. They are nutritious and also good for healing. They can even prevent tooth decay. They can help to energize you and to help lower your cholesterol as well. They are from the Al Qaseem region of Saudi Arabia. Sukkari means sweet which is exactly what these dates are. They are also referred to as the “King of the Dates,” and they will melt in your mouth for a nice treat.

23. Thoory Dates

Thoory dates are dry and sweet. They also have a nutty flavor and are called the bread date because they are ideal for baking. They are medium to large in size and oblong in shape. They are golden-brown, and they ripen late in the season. Thoory dates are considered to be a dry date and have a firm skin with a chewy texture. They are quite popular in Algeria and also do well in the heat of California. They are sticky but not quite as sticky as other dates. Thoory dates pair really well with granola, trail mix, or muesli since they are not so moist that they will make the rest of the ingredients soggy when mixed together.

24. Warehouse Dates

Warehouse dates are very popular, and they’re very large in size. They have a small seed and are one of the more expensive varieties of dates that are available to buy. They are worth the price though, and they are filled with protein. They are sweet and brown in color.

25. Zahidi Dates

Zahidi dates are sweet and have a sugary flavor. They are semi-dry and medium in size. They also have smooth and glossy skin and ware golden-yellow in color. They are full of syrup, and you can use them for cooking. They also make a great snack. They tend to ripen early and they keep well. They are also called “Nobility,” and they contain a large seed in the center. These dates have a crunchy and fibrous flesh and are typically processed for date sugar products or packaged as sliced dates.