50+ Different Types of Dates Fruit — Taste, Texture with Pictures

Dates are not just one fruit—they come in many forms with different flavors, textures, and uses. This guide to Different Types of Dates helps you understand what to pick and why. Some dates are soft and rich like caramel, while others are dry and slightly nutty.

A few are perfect for daily eating, and others are better for desserts or gifts. If you’ve ever felt confused standing in front of so many options, this simple guide will help you choose the right dates with confidence..

Table of Contents

Quick Comparison of Different Types of Dates

Date Name	Taste	Texture	Size	Best Use
Medjool	Rich caramel	Soft, thick	Large	Snacking, desserts
Deglet Noor	Mildly sweet	Firm, semi-dry	Medium	Baking, cooking
Mazafati	Deep sweet, earthy	Very soft	Medium	Fresh eating
Barhi	Honey, vanilla	Soft or crunchy	Small-medium	Fresh at both stages
Thoory	Nutty, low sugar	Very dry	Medium	Travel, cooking
Ajwa	Earthy, mild	Soft-dry	Small	Daily eating
Zahidi	Buttery, light	Semi-dry	Medium	Syrup, cooking
Sukkari	Candy-sweet	Soft, crumbly	Medium	Desserts, fresh
Piarom	Bitter-sweet	Semi-dry, chewy	Long, slender	Gifting, gourmet
Khalas	Butterscotch	Soft, sticky	Medium	Festive eating
Khudri	Mellow sweet	Semi-dry	Medium	Budget snacking
Safawi	Rich, dark sweet	Soft, moist	Medium	Gifting, Ramadan

50+ Types of Dates Fruit With Pictures

Medjool Dates

Taste: Deep caramel with a faint honey undertone
Texture: Thick and soft — like a brownie bite
Size: Large, roughly the size of a small plum
Color: Dark mahogany brown
Origin: Morocco; now grown in USA, Jordan, Israel
Best For: Snacking, stuffed recipes, energy balls, desserts
Why People Choose It: One date feels filling. Medjool dates fruit is the most recognized variety in Western markets.
Downside: Noticeably more expensive than most varieties

Deglet Noor Dates

Taste: Lightly sweet, clean
Texture: Firm with a slight chew — holds shape under heat
Size: Medium
Color: Light amber to golden brown
Origin: Algeria, Tunisia, California
Best For: Baking, salads, savory cooking
Why People Choose It: Balanced — not too sweet, not too dry
Downside: Too dry for those who prefer soft dates

Mazafati Dates

Taste: Very sweet with faint earthy depth
Texture: Extremely soft — melts in the mouth
Size: Medium
Color: Dark purple to near-black
Origin: Bam, Iran
Best For: Fresh eating, gifting
Why People Choose It: Rich, dessert-like texture
Downside: Short shelf life, needs refrigeration

Barhi Dates

Taste: Honey-vanilla
Texture: Crunchy (unripe), syrupy-soft (ripe)
Size: Small to medium
Color: Yellow (unripe), amber-brown (ripe)
Origin: Iraq, California, Gulf
Best For: Fresh eating at both stages
Why People Choose It: Unique dual texture
Downside: Bruises easily

Thoory Dates

Taste: Nutty, low sweetness
Texture: Dry, firm, bread-like
Size: Medium
Color: Brownish-red
Origin: Algeria
Best For: Travel, savory dishes
Why People Choose It: Non-sticky, long-lasting
Downside: Not sweet enough for desserts

Ajwa Dates

Taste: Mild, earthy, slightly smoky
Texture: Soft outside, slightly dry inside
Size: Small
Color: Very dark brown
Origin: Madinah, Saudi Arabia
Best For: Daily eating
Why People Choose It: Cultural and wellness value
Downside: Expensive

Zahidi Dates

Taste: Light, buttery, nutty
Texture: Semi-dry, smooth
Size: Medium
Color: Golden yellow
Origin: Iraq, Iran
Best For: Cooking, syrup
Why People Choose It: Holds shape when heated
Downside: Less rich flavor

Khudri Dates

Taste: Mild sweetness
Texture: Semi-dry, wrinkled
Size: Medium
Color: Dark reddish-brown
Origin: Saudi Arabia
Best For: Everyday snacking
Why People Choose It: Affordable, common
Downside: Simple flavor

Safawi Dates

Taste: Rich, deep sweetness
Texture: Soft, moist
Size: Medium
Color: Near-black
Origin: Madinah, Saudi Arabia
Best For: Gifting, Ramadan
Why People Choose It: Richer than Ajwa
Downside: Too sweet for some

Sukkari Dates

Taste: Very sweet (brown sugar-like)
Texture: Soft, crumbly
Size: Medium
Color: Golden
Origin: Saudi Arabia
Best For: Desserts, tea-time
Why People Choose It: Intense sweetness
Downside: Too sweet for daily use

Khadrawy Dates

Taste: Brown sugar, light caramel
Texture: Very soft
Size: Small-medium
Color: Dark amber
Origin: Iraq, Saudi Arabia
Best For: Fresh eating
Why People Choose It: Lighter than Medjool
Downside: Fragile

Halawy Dates

Taste: Honey, light caramel
Texture: Soft, thin skin
Size: Small-medium
Color: Light amber
Origin: Iraq
Best For: Sweets, snacking
Why People Choose It: Gentle sweetness
Downside: Rare

Dayri Dates

Taste: Rich sweetness
Texture: Soft, moist
Size: Large, long
Color: Very dark brown
Origin: Iraq
Best For: Stuffing
Why People Choose It: Large size
Downside: Limited availability

Piarom Dates

Taste: Semi-sweet, slightly bitter
Texture: Chewy, semi-dry
Size: Long
Color: Near-black
Origin: Iran
Best For: Gourmet pairing
Why People Choose It: Chocolate-like taste
Downside: Expensive

Rabbi Dates

Taste: Mild sweetness
Texture: Semi-dry
Size: Medium
Color: Dark brown
Origin: Iran
Best For: Everyday use
Why People Choose It: Consistent quality
Downside: Not distinctive

Sayer Dates

Taste: Sweet with slight tang
Texture: Semi-dry
Size: Medium
Color: Dark amber
Origin: Iran
Best For: Date paste
Why People Choose It: High export
Downside: Average fresh taste

Lulu Dates

Taste: Honey-sweet
Texture: Soft
Size: Small-medium
Color: Light amber
Origin: UAE
Best For: Luxury gifting
Why People Choose It: Premium feel
Downside: Rare outside UAE

Khalas Dates

Taste: Butterscotch
Texture: Soft, sticky
Size: Medium
Color: Amber
Origin: UAE, Oman
Best For: Hospitality
Why People Choose It: Unique flavor
Downside: Hard to find

Saghai Dates

Taste: Sweet base, lighter tip
Texture: Dual (firm + soft)
Size: Medium
Color: Yellow + brown
Origin: Saudi Arabia
Best For: Unique experience
Why People Choose It: Dual texture
Downside: Seasonal

Mabroom Dates

Taste: Mild, nutty
Texture: Firm, fibrous
Size: Long
Color: Dark brown
Origin: Saudi Arabia
Best For: Coffee pairing
Why People Choose It: Balanced sweetness
Downside: Fibrous

Kholas Dates

Taste: Toffee-like
Texture: Soft
Size: Medium
Color: Golden
Origin: Saudi Arabia
Best For: Gifting
Why People Choose It: Candy-like taste
Downside: Expensive

Kimia Dates

Taste: Sweet, smooth
Texture: Soft
Size: Medium
Color: Dark
Origin: Iran
Best For: Budget Mazafati alternative
Why People Choose It: Similar taste, cheaper
Downside: Quality varies

Fard Dates

Taste: Mild sweetness
Texture: Firm
Size: Medium
Color: Dark brown
Origin: Oman
Best For: Daily eating
Why People Choose It: Long shelf life
Downside: Plain flavor

Khaisab Dates

Taste: Light fruity sweetness
Texture: Crunchy (fresh stage)
Size: Medium
Color: Bright red
Origin: Oman
Best For: Fresh eating
Why People Choose It: Unique crunch
Downside: Perishable

Aseel Dates

Taste: Rich sweetness
Texture: Soft to semi-dry
Size: Medium
Color: Golden-brown
Origin: Pakistan
Best For: Export, snacking
Why People Choose It: Widely available
Downside: Quality varies

Dhakki Dates

Taste: Smooth sweetness
Texture: Soft, chewy
Size: Medium-large
Color: Golden-brown
Origin: Pakistan
Best For: Gifting
Why People Choose It: Premium local variety
Downside: Limited supply

Begum Jangi Dates

Taste: Light sweetness
Texture: Semi-dry
Size: Medium
Color: Brown
Origin: Pakistan
Best For: Budget buying
Why People Choose It: Affordable
Downside: Basic quality

Hillawi Dates

Taste: Very sweet
Texture: Soft
Size: Small-medium
Color: Amber
Origin: Iraq
Best For: Sweets
Why People Choose It: Traditional flavor
Downside: Rare globally

Empress Dates

Taste: Mild
Texture: Moist
Size: Very large
Color: Dark amber
Origin: USA
Best For: Stuffing
Why People Choose It: Large size
Downside: Mild flavor

Amir Hajj Dates

Taste: Rich, nutty
Texture: Soft
Size: Large
Color: Golden
Origin: Iraq
Best For: Premium eating
Why People Choose It: High quality
Downside: Fragile

Kabkab Dates

Taste: Very sweet, strong
Texture: Soft, moist
Size: Large
Color: Dark brown
Origin: Iran
Best For: Date paste, syrup
Why People Choose It: High sugar content
Downside: Too sweet for regular snacking

Mariami Dates

Taste: Mild sweetness
Texture: Semi-dry
Size: Medium
Color: Brown
Origin: Iran
Best For: Everyday eating
Why People Choose It: Consistent quality
Downside: Nothing special

Shahabi Dates

Taste: Moderate sweetness, slightly fruity
Texture: Soft, slightly sticky
Size: Large
Color: Dark amber
Origin: Iran
Best For: Stuffed recipes
Why People Choose It: Easy to fill
Downside: Flavor not standout

Zaghloul Dates (Fresh)

Taste: Light, fresh sweetness
Texture: Crunchy
Size: Large
Color: Bright red
Origin: Egypt
Best For: Fresh eating
Why People Choose It: Unique crisp texture
Downside: Not available outside Egypt

Siwi Dates

Taste: Rich, honey-like
Texture: Soft to semi-dry
Size: Medium
Color: Dark brown
Origin: Egypt
Best For: Local gifting
Why People Choose It: Unique desert-grown flavor
Downside: Limited export

Gondaila Dates

Taste: Mild sweetness
Texture: Dry
Size: Small
Color: Light brown
Origin: Pakistan
Best For: Storage
Why People Choose It: Long shelf life
Downside: Not great for fresh eating

Hayani Dates

Taste: Mild, fresh
Texture: Soft to semi-dry
Size: Large
Color: Red to brown
Origin: Egypt
Best For: Juice, fresh eating
Why People Choose It: Historic variety
Downside: Rare globally

Kenta Dates

Taste: Mild, slightly woody
Texture: Dry, firm
Size: Small-medium
Color: Brown
Origin: Tunisia
Best For: Processed foods
Why People Choose It: Long shelf life
Downside: Dull taste

Ghars Dates

Taste: Very sweet, heavy
Texture: Soft, sticky
Size: Large
Color: Dark brown
Origin: Libya
Best For: Paste, cooking
Why People Choose It: High sugar
Downside: Too sticky

Bou Sthammi Dates

Taste: Moderate sweetness
Texture: Semi-dry
Size: Medium
Color: Brown
Origin: Tunisia
Best For: Household use
Why People Choose It: Everyday staple
Downside: Limited availability

Ftimi Dates

Taste: Clean sweet
Texture: Dry
Size: Small
Color: Brown
Origin: Tunisia
Best For: Storage
Why People Choose It: Shelf stable
Downside: Small, dry

Wanan Dates

Taste: Mild sweet
Texture: Semi-dry
Size: Medium
Color: Light brown
Origin: Libya
Best For: Local use
Why People Choose It: Everyday cooking
Downside: Not exported

Khouat Ighane Dates

Taste: Mild, slightly nutty
Texture: Semi-dry
Size: Medium
Color: Brown
Origin: Algeria
Best For: Cooking
Why People Choose It: Reliable
Downside: Unknown globally

Tingan Dates

Taste: Mild sweet
Texture: Soft
Size: Small
Color: Dark
Origin: Mauritania
Best For: Local use
Why People Choose It: Cultural food
Downside: Rare globally

Nabtat Ali Dates

Taste: Mild
Texture: Soft
Size: Medium
Color: Dark brown
Origin: Saudi Arabia
Best For: Daily eating
Why People Choose It: Consistent
Downside: Not unique

Dabbas Dates

Taste: Light sweet
Texture: Soft
Size: Medium-large
Color: Light amber
Origin: UAE
Best For: Fresh eating
Why People Choose It: Light taste
Downside: Rare outside UAE

Lasi Dates

Taste: Mild sweet
Texture: Semi-dry
Size: Medium
Color: Brown
Origin: Pakistan
Best For: Local markets
Why People Choose It: Affordable
Downside: Not exported

Beid Al Hamam Dates

Taste: Very delicate
Texture: Soft
Size: Small
Color: Light amber
Origin: Egypt
Best For: Decoration, gifts
Why People Choose It: Unique shape
Downside: Extremely rare

Kalmi Dates

Taste: Mild sweet
Texture: Soft
Size: Medium
Color: Dark
Origin: Saudi Arabia
Best For: South Asian markets
Why People Choose It: Easy to find
Downside: Often mislabeled

Khalal Stage Dates

Taste: Light, fresh
Texture: Crunchy
Size: Varies
Color: Yellow/red/green
Origin: All regions
Best For: Fresh eating
Why People Choose It: Completely different experience
Downside: Highly perishable

Rutab Stage Dates

Taste: Very sweet, juicy
Texture: Extremely soft
Size: Varies
Color: Dark amber to black
Origin: All regions
Best For: Fresh harvest eating
Why People Choose It: Peak flavor stage
Downside: Very short shelf life

Zaghloul Dates (Dried)

Taste: Stronger sweetness
Texture: Semi-dry
Size: Medium-large
Color: Dark brown
Origin: Egypt
Best For: Export
Why People Choose It: Longer shelf life
Downside: Loses fresh crunch

Complete List: 50+ Different Types of Dates Ftuit Names

Medjool
Deglet Noor
Mazafati
Barhi
Thoory
Ajwa
Zahidi
Khudri
Safawi
Sukkari
Khadrawy
Halawy
Dayri
Piarom
Rabbi
Sayer
Lulu
Khalas
Saghai
Mabroom
Kholas
Kimia
Fard
Khaisab
Aseel
Dhakki
Begum Jangi
Hillawi
Empress
Amir Hajj
Kabkab
Mariami
Shahabi
Zaghloul (Fresh)
Zaghloul (Dried)
Siwi
Gondaila
Hayani
Kenta
Ghars
Bou Sthammi
Ftimi
Wanan
Khouat Ighane
Tingan
Nabtat Ali
Dabbas
Lasi
Beid Al Hamam
Kalmi
Khalal Stage
Rutab Stage

Different Types of Dates by Category

By Texture

Soft — eat fresh, short shelf life

Medjool, Mazafati, Khadrawy, Halawy, Sukkari, Barhi (ripe), Khalas, Safawi, Kimia, Amir Hajj, Dayri, Kabkab, Rutab Stage

Semi-dry — balanced, works for eating and cooking

Deglet Noor, Khudri, Rabbi, Zahidi, Sayer, Piarom, Fard, Aseel, Mariami, Mabroom, Kalmi

Dry — long shelf life, firm bite

Thoory, Kenta, Ftimi, Gondaila, Zaghloul (dried)

By Sweetness

Very sweet: Sukkari, Barhi, Halawy, Hillawi, Kabkab, Medjool, Khalas, Kholas

Mildly sweet: Deglet Noor, Ajwa, Mabroom, Zahidi, Rabbi, Khudri, Fard, Kimia

Low sugar / complex: Thoory, Piarom, Saghai (tip end), Khalal Stage

By Best Use

Daily snacking: Khudri, Kalmi, Ajwa, Deglet Noor, Lasi, Begum Jangi, Fard

Desserts and sweets: Medjool, Sukkari, Halawy, Hillawi, Khalas

Baking and cooking: Deglet Noor, Zahidi, Ghars, Thoory, Kabkab

Gifting: Piarom, Medjool, Khalas, Dhakki, Lulu, Sukkari, Kholas

Stuffing recipes: Empress, Dayri, Shahabi, Medjool

Date paste or syrup: Kabkab, Ghars, Zahidi, Sayer

Types of Dates Fruit in India and Pakistan

Common in Indian markets:

Khudri — sold loose in bulk, lowest price point
Kalmi — labeled “Madina dates” in most shops
Zahidi — sold as “yellow dates” locally
Mazafati — found in Iranian import specialty stores in larger cities
Ajwa — available at Islamic stores at a premium
Sukkari — increasingly sold in premium urban packs
Medjool — available in high-end grocery stores in metros

In Pakistan:

Aseel from Sindh is Pakistan’s flagship export date — shipped to Europe and the Gulf
Dhakki from Dera Ismail Khan is the finest local variety — sold in gift boxes
Begum Jangi and Lasi are cheap local options in bazaars
Gondaila from Balochistan stays purely local with almost no export

During Ramadan, Saudi and Iranian varieties flood markets in both countries at competitive prices. Fresh Rutab-stage dates occasionally appear in August and September near harvest season.

Types of Dates and Their Benefits

Date Name	Key Benefit	Practical Meaning
Medjool	High natural energy	Good pre-workout or afternoon snack
Ajwa	High antioxidant content	Suitable for a daily wellness habit
Sukkari	Fast natural sugar	Useful before physical activity
Piarom	Lower perceived glycemic load	Better for those watching sugar intake
Deglet Noor	Balanced fiber	Good for digestion when eaten regularly
Mazafati	Contains iron	Helpful during winter fatigue
Thoory	Low moisture, high fiber	Supports gut health, travels well
Zahidi	Contains potassium	Supports muscle function naturally
Barhi	Natural sugars with minerals	Child-friendly without refined sugar
Mabroom	Moderate sugar level	Works daily without feeling heavy
Kabkab	High natural sugar	Better processed into paste than eaten whole
Khalal Stage	Fresh antioxidants	Different nutrition profile from ripe dates

These are general food observations — not medical claims. Consult a doctor for personal health guidance.

How to Choose the Right Dates

Daily eating: Khudri, Deglet Noor, or Ajwa. Not too sweet, affordable, easy to find. Three to five dates a day is a common habit in Middle Eastern households.

Desserts: Medjool for richness. Sukkari if you want extreme sweetness. Both work in date balls, brownies, and layered sweets.

Baking or cooking: Deglet Noor — holds shape under heat, doesn’t overpower the dish. Zahidi for paste or syrup.

Health-conscious eating: Piarom or Mabroom — lower sweetness, more complex flavor. Ajwa for daily antioxidant habits.

Gifting: Piarom, Dhakki, Khalas, or Kholas. In Pakistan, Dhakki in a decorated box is a traditional and respected gift.

Kids: Barhi at the crunchy Khalal stage — feels like a fresh apple, not a heavy sweet.

Budget option in South Asia: Khudri in India. Begum Jangi or Lasi in Pakistan.

How Many Types of Dates Exist?

Over 2,000 varieties exist globally. Most are purely local — grown in a single village or oasis and never traded beyond it. Only 20–50 reach international markets.

Why so many? Date palms have been cultivated for over 5,000 years. As farmers moved across Arabia, North Africa, and South Asia, palms cross-pollinated and adapted to local climates. Hot, arid deserts produce sweeter, drier dates. Humid areas produce softer fruit. Over millennia, thousands of regional varieties developed naturally.

Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, and Algeria produce the most dates globally. Each country has varieties that rarely leave national borders.

Common Confusions About “Dates”

Date fruit vs calendar date: This article covers the fruit from date palm trees — sweet, brown, chewy fruits eaten across the Middle East and South Asia. A calendar date is a day of the year. Unrelated.

“Types of dates relationship” and “types of dates with a girl”: Some people searching “types of dates” mean romantic outings — dinner, coffee, movies, adventure activities. That’s an entirely different topic covered in separate guides.

Medjool as “the only premium date”: Medjool gets heavy Western marketing as the king of dates. In the Middle East and South Asia, Ajwa, Khalas, Piarom, Sukkari, and Dhakki are considered equally or more prestigious depending on the country. The “king” label is mostly a Western retail story.

Completing Sentence Rules: Easy Guide for Students

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which dates should I try first if I’m new?

Start simple. Try Medjool for a soft, sweet taste and Deglet Noor for a lighter option. This gives you a quick idea of how different dates can feel and taste.

2. How do I know if dates are fresh or good quality?

Look for smooth skin, no bad smell, and no white sugar crystals outside. Soft dates should feel moist, not sticky or dry like old fruit.

3. Are expensive dates always better?

Not always. Some costly dates are rare or imported, but local varieties can taste just as good. Choose based on your use, not just price.

4. What’s the best way to store dates at home?

Keep dry dates in an airtight container at room temperature. Soft dates stay better in the fridge, especially in warm weather.

Final Thoughts

Same tree. Completely different worlds.

Biting into a Sukkari and then a Thoory back-to-back makes the point instantly — they barely seem related.

Soft and rich for snacking — Medjool. Daily eating on a budget — Khudri or Deglet Noor. Impressive gift — Piarom, Dhakki, or Khalas. Something unusual to try — Saghai’s dual texture or Zaghloul’s fresh crunch. Religious or cultural significance — Ajwa or Safawi. Homemade paste or syrup — Kabkab or Ghars.

Start with what’s near you. Try three different varieties side by side. The differences become obvious within seconds.

Viraj Shivay

I write clear, practical English lessons for everyday use. On Lingotexting, I break down grammar, vocabulary, and word types into simple ideas you can apply quickly. My focus is accuracy, real examples, and helpful visuals, so learners build confidence, improve writing, and communicate naturally in school, work, and daily life.