Types of dates in India: 12 varieties compared

Also called Medjoul, "king of dates"

From:

Grown in Jordan, Palestine, Israel, the USA and Morocco

Look:

Large, amber to dark brown, loosely wrinkled skin

Taste:

Very soft and moist, rich caramel sweetness

Best for:

Premium snacking, stuffed dates, date shakes, gifting

Also called Ajwa khajoor

From:

Madinah region, Saudi Arabia

Look:

Small to medium, almost black, matte, fine wrinkles

Taste:

Soft but slightly dry, mild and fruity, less sugary

Best for:

Morning routine, Ramadan, gifting

Also called Mazafati, "black dates"

From:

Bam and Kerman, Iran

Look:

Medium, black, thin glossy skin

Taste:

Very soft and juicy, syrupy sweet

Best for:

Daily family eating, kids, milk and kheer

Also called often sold in India as Kalmi dates

From:

Madinah region, Saudi Arabia

Look:

Long, dark brown to black, slightly wrinkled

Taste:

Semi-soft, chewy, moderately sweet

Best for:

Everyday eating, Ramadan, offices

Also called Sukari

From:

Qassim region, Saudi Arabia

Look:

Golden to light brown, plump

Taste:

Very sweet, melts in the mouth (soft "rutab" type)

Best for:

Dessert dates, guests, sweet tooth

Also called Mabroum

From:

Madinah region, Saudi Arabia

Look:

Long and slender, reddish brown

Taste:

Firm, chewy, mildly sweet

Best for:

People who like less sweet dates, gifting

Also called Khudary

From:

Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia

Look:

Medium, dark brown, slightly wrinkled

Taste:

Semi-dry, chewy, moderately sweet

Best for:

Affordable everyday Saudi date, bulk

Also called "date of light"

From:

Algeria and Tunisia

Look:

Medium, light amber, translucent

Taste:

Semi-dry, firm, delicate honey-like sweetness

Best for:

Cooking, baking, chopped dates, bulk

From:

Iraq

Look:

Medium, golden yellow to light brown

Taste:

Semi-dry, firm, mildly sweet

Best for:

Cooking, chutneys, bulk

Also called Khalas, Fard

From:

Oman

Look:

Khalas: golden brown; Fard: dark brown

Taste:

Khalas soft and caramel-sweet; Fard chewy, less sweet

Best for:

Everyday eating and gifting

Also called Barhee

From:

Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the UAE

Look:

Round, yellow when fresh, amber when ripe

Taste:

Crunchy and astringent when yellow, very soft and syrupy when ripe

Best for:

Fresh seasonal dates (summer)

Also called dry dates, kharek

From:

Any date variety dried until hard

Look:

Hard, wrinkled, light brown

Taste:

Dry and chewy; soaked or boiled in milk before eating

Best for:

Milk, winter use, puja and weddings