Dates Fruit 

Dates are What Fruit?

Dates grow on the date palm tree (Phoenix dactylifera), which belongs to the Arecaceae (palm) family. They are classified as drupe fruits (stone fruits) because they have a single central seed (pit) surrounded by sweet, fleshy pulp.

Dates Fruit Different Types | Types of Dates Fruit

Dates come in many varieties, classified based on texture, moisture content, and sweetness. Here are some of the most popular types. Dates can be categorized as wet dates, semi-dried, and dried dates.

1. Soft Dates (High Moisture, Tender & Juicy)

These dates are moist, rich in natural sugars, and have a soft texture.

Medjool – Large, juicy, and caramel-like; known as the “King of Dates.”

Mazafati – Dark brown, soft, and very sweet; mostly from Iran.

Rutab Ajwa – A softer version of the prized Ajwa dates.

Barhi (Fresh) – Golden-yellow, crunchy when unripe but softens to a honey-like texture.

2. Semi-Dry Dates (Moderate Moisture, Chewy & Sweet)

These dates have a balanced sweetness and a firmer texture.

Deglet Noor – Light brown, slightly chewy, and not overly sweet.

Safawi – Soft yet chewy, dark brown, and rich in taste.

Sagai – Golden-brown with a dry outer layer and soft interior.

Mariami (Piyarom) – Dark-skinned, naturally sweet, and often considered premium.

3. Dry Dates (Low Moisture, Hard & Long Shelf Life)

These dates are fully ripened and naturally dried, making them firm and less sticky.

Thoory (Thuri) – Very dry and fibrous, often used in baking.

Zahidi – Small, golden, chewy, and mildly sweet; used in cooking.

Dayri – Dark brown, dry, and slightly sweet.

Kabkab – Firm and sometimes used for making date syrup.

Khalal Dates

Khalal is the second stage of date fruit ripening, where the dates are still fresh, firm, and crunchy. At this stage, the dates have a high moisture content. In the following, we have an infographic on the growth stage of dates. 

1. Khalal (Fresh, Crunchy Stage) – Firm, high in moisture, slightly sweet (e.g., Barhi dates).
2. Rutab (Semi-Ripe, Soft Stage) – Softer, sweeter, with a caramel-like texture (e.g., Ajwa, Medjool when fresh).
3. Tamar (Fully Ripe, Dried Stage) – Dried or semi-dried, dark brown, very sweet, and long shelf life (e.g., Deglet Noor, Medjool, Mariami).

Infographic pic

Date Fruit not Dried

Fresh (Non-Dried) Dates are dates that have not been dried and are typically consumed in their Khalal or Rutab stages of ripeness. These dates are soft, and juicy, and have a high moisture content, making them more perishable compared to dried dates. Fresh dates are often eaten as snacks or used in recipes where their moisture adds flavor and texture.

Stages of Fresh Dates (Non-Dried)

• Khalal (Unripe / Firm Stage)

Texture: Firm and crunchy, but with high moisture.

Color: Yellow, red, or greenish, depending on the variety.

Taste: Mildly sweet or astringent.

Varieties Consumed at This Stage: Barhi, Zahidi, and sometimes Medjool.

• Rutab (Semi-Ripe / Soft Stage)

Texture: Soft and slightly sticky, with a rich, caramel-like flavor.

Color: Brown or amber, depending on the variety.

Taste: Sweet, juicy, and often more flavorful than Khalal dates.

Varieties Consumed at This Stage: Ajwa, Medjool, Safawi.

Date Fruit Varieties

There are many varieties of dates, each with unique characteristics in terms of size, texture, color, and flavor. Here are some of the most popular and widely known date varieties:

1. Medjool

• Appearance: Large, plump, and dark brown.
• Texture: Soft, juicy, and sticky.
• Taste: Rich, caramel-like sweetness.
• Uses: Ideal for snacking, desserts, smoothies, and energy bars.

2. Deglet Noor

• Appearance: Medium size, light amber to golden brown.
• Texture: Firm, slightly chewy, and dry.
• Taste: Sweet but not as intense as Medjool, with a nutty flavor.
• Uses: Often used in baking, cooking, and salads.

3. Barhi

• Appearance: Small to medium size, golden-yellow when fresh, turning brown when fully ripe.
• Texture: Soft and tender when ripe, with a honey-like texture.
• Taste: Very sweet, similar to caramel.
• Uses: Eaten fresh (in Khalal stage), or dried, and used in desserts.

4. Ajwa

• Appearance: Small, oval-shaped, and dark brown to black.
• Texture: Soft and slightly dry.
• Taste: Sweet with a mildly smoky flavor, known for its health benefits.
• Uses: Consumed fresh or dried, popular in the Middle East, especially during Ramadan.

5. Mazafati

• Appearance: Dark brown or black, medium-sized.
• Texture: Soft, moist, and sticky.
• Taste: Rich, sweet, and smooth, with a caramel-like flavor.
• Uses: Often consumed fresh, popular in Iran.

6. Safawi

• Appearance: Medium-sized, dark brown.
• Texture: Soft and chewy, slightly sticky.
• Taste: Sweet and rich, with a hint of molasses.
• Uses: Commonly eaten as a snack or used in desserts.

7. Khalas

• Appearance: Medium-sized, golden to reddish-brown.
• Texture: Soft and smooth with a chewy texture.
• Taste: Rich and sweet, with a honey-like flavor.
• Uses: Consumed fresh or dried, used in the Middle East for various dishes.

8. Thoory (Thuri)

• Appearance: Light brown, small to medium size.
• Texture: Very dry, firm, and fibrous.
• Taste: Mildly sweet with a slightly nutty flavor.
• Uses: Often used for making date syrup, paste, or in baking.

9. Dayri

• Appearance: Dark brown to black, medium size.
• Texture: Firm and somewhat dry.
• Taste: Mildly sweet, with a slightly tangy flavor.
• Uses: Ideal for making date syrup or used in cooking.

10. Piarom (Mariami)

• Appearance: Dark brown, medium to large size.
• Texture: Soft and chewy.
• Taste: Rich, sweet, and intense, with a smooth texture.
• Uses: Popular in Iran, often consumed as a snack or used in high-end products.

11. Sayer

• Appearance: Small to medium-sized, dark brown to black.
• Texture: Soft and sticky.
• Taste: Sweet with a mild flavor.
• Uses: Popular in the Middle East for snacking or making date paste.

12. Khalal (Unripe Dates)

• Appearance: Green, yellow, or red.
• Texture: Firm and crunchy when unripe.
• Taste: Mildly sweet, often slightly bitter or astringent due to tannins.
• Uses: Eaten fresh, pickled, or used in salads in some cultures.

Mazafati Fresh Dates

Iran is the dominant producer of Mazafati fresh dates in the Middle East. To know more about the Mazafati date, we highly suggest reading this article.  

Non Dried Dates

Dates can be non-dried, semi-dried, or fully dried. Non-dried dates or wet dates are those that are naturally high in moisture content such as Mazafati, Ajwa, Barhi, and Medjool. In other words, the Rutab stage of dates has a high moisture content. 

Semi-dry dates in the Tamar stage are piyarom, Deglet Noor, and Sagai.

Fully dried dates are in the late Tamar stage. Kabkab, Zahedi, and Dayri are some examples of this type of date. 

Pitted Dates Fruit

Pitted dates fruit are those without seeds. Some corporates in the food industry remove the seeds of dates and pack them as pitted dates. This process can be applied to all types of dates. Dates chips are a good example of pitted dates since they do not have the date’s seed and are a healthy snack.  

Unripe Dates

Unripe dates refer to dates in their early growth stage, before they reach full maturity. These are typically in the Khalal stage, where they are still firm, high in moisture, and may have a slightly bitter taste. 

Characteristics of Unripe Dates (Khalal Stage)

• Color: Yellow, greenish-yellow, or red, depending on the variety.
• Texture: Hard and crunchy.
• Taste: Mildly sweet but often bitter due to high tannin content.
• Moisture: High, making them perishable and requiring proper storage.

Dates Fruit Raw

Raw dates refer to dates that are in their early, unprocessed stages before they fully ripen or dry. They are typically found in the Khalal stage of ripeness when they are still fresh, firm, and high in moisture.

Kurma fruit

Kurma is the Malay and Indonesian word for dates, the fruit of the date palm tree (Phoenix dactylifera).

Black Date Fruit

The most famous black date fruit is Bam Mazafati from Bam, Kerman in Iran. However, there are other delicious black dates such as black Medjool, Ajwa, and Piyarom.  

Date Fruit in Turkish

In Turkey, date fruit is commonly referred to as “hurma”.Turkey is not a primary producer of dates compared to countries in the Middle East, but it still imports and consumes dates, especially during the Ramadan season for breaking fast (iftar).

Types of Dates in Turkey:

While Turkey doesn’t grow dates as extensively as some other regions, it still has access to a variety of dates imported from neighboring countries. Common varieties found in Turkey include:

Medjool Dates: These are large, juicy, and sweet dates that are highly prized globally. They are often imported from countries like Jordan, Palestine, and Morocco.

Ajwa Dates: Known for their spiritual and health benefits, these are black dates that come from Saudi Arabia and are consumed for their rich flavor and medicinal properties.

Deglet Noor: This variety is semi-dry and is used for both snacking and in cooking. It is commonly imported from North African countries.

Mazafati Dates: Known for their softness and deep caramel-like flavor, these dates are often imported from Iran, where they are very popular.

Safi Dates: These dates are commonly found in Turkey and are known for their dark, soft, and sweet texture. They are typically consumed during Ramadan.

Consumption of Dates in Turkey:

Ramadan: Dates are an essential part of iftar, the meal for breaking the fast. They are used traditionally to break the fast, as they provide a quick source of energy after a long day of fasting.

Snacks and Desserts: Dates are often consumed as snacks, or they may be stuffed with nuts (like almonds or walnuts) or cream for a more decadent treat.

Date Syrup (Hurma Pekmezi): In some regions, dates are used to make date syrup (Hurma Pekmezi), which is a natural sweetener in desserts and other food preparations.

Is Dates Fruit Good for Pregnancy?

Dates are highly beneficial during pregnancy due to their rich nutritional profile. They provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which support both the mother and baby’s health.

Date Fruit Juice

Date fruit juice is a natural, sweet beverage made by blending or extracting the juice from fresh or dried dates. It is packed with nutrients, natural sugars, and antioxidants, making it a healthy and energy-boosting drink. There are some delicious recipes with dates, walnuts, bananas, milk, chocolate, and honey. 

Dates Price

Generally speaking, datesfruit price depends on several variables such as the dates’ type, quantity, quality and grade, harvest time, market and region, and production cost. 

Fresh Date Fruit Price

Fresh dates price has a direct connection with the grade of the product, seasonal conditions, packing type, destination, container type, and supply and demand volume. 

Best Dates Fruit

The best dates fruit in Muslim countries are black Mazafati, Ajwa, Shahani, and Medjool. Since Middle Eastern countries prefer black Mazafati for Ramazan, Bam Kimia Mazafati is widely exported there. Besides, the best dates fruit has some specific characteristics such as: 

Quality Grade: Premium quality dates have soft and flat skin without juice. 

Texture: The meat of high-quality dates is soft and sufficient. 

Size: Best dates fruit mostly are convincible in size. In other words, they are not too small or big. 

Evaluation of the Physical Traits of the World’s Top Dry Date Varieties

In recent years, the cultivation of top-quality dry and semi-dry date varieties has significantly expanded. Lower costs for harvesting, storage, and transportation have encouraged farmers to grow these varieties.  

A study was conducted over two years at the Date and Tropical Fruits Research Institute in Narmashir, Kerman Province, using four date varieties (Ghasb, Zahedi, Piarom, and Medjool). The study compared fruiting time and quantitative and qualitative fruit characteristics of these varieties.  

The results showed that Medjool had the highest fruit weight (13.77 g), fruit length (4.27 cm), fruit diameter (2.22 cm), and fruit volume (12.74 cm³). The lowest seed weight (0.8 g), seed length (2.1 cm), and seed diameter (0.79 cm) were observed in Zahedi. Medjool also had the highest flesh-to-seed ratio (11.86) and the highest flesh percentage (92.21%).  

These findings indicate significant differences in the physical characteristics of top dry and semi-dry date varieties. Therefore, their cultivation should be expanded based on the specific needs of each region.

Investigation of the Effects of Date Seed Extract on Neutrophil, Eosinophil, and Basophil Parameters

In recent years, the use of natural substances, especially plant extracts, to boost the immune system and reduce inflammation has gained attention. This study examines the effects of hydroalcoholic date seed extract on three key immune parameters: neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils.  

Neutrophils are the body’s first line of defense against infections, and an increase in their number can indicate improved immune response. Due to its strong antioxidant compounds, date seed extract enhances neutrophil count and function. Additionally, eosinophils and basophils, which play important roles in inflammatory and allergic reactions, decrease after consuming the extract. 

This reduction suggests the extract has anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects. The results indicate that date seed extract improves immune function and helps reduce symptoms of inflammatory and allergic diseases. 

These findings suggest that it could be used as a natural supplement to strengthen the immune system and alleviate inflammatory conditions.

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