Many forms of dates are grown all over the world, various in size, shape, color, texture and flavor. Although the precise variety of date varieties is difficult to find out, estimates indicate that over 3,000 date varieties are cultivated worldwide.
The hottest date varieties include:
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Medjool Dates: Often called the “king of dates.” Medjool dates are large, plump and have a caramel flavor.
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Deglet Noor Dates: These dates are smaller than Medjool dates and have a firm, chewy texture and a sweet, nutty flavor.
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Barhi Dates: These are soft, tender dates which might be often eaten fresh. They have a fragile, honey flavor and a rather grainy consistency.
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Halawa Dates: These are small to medium sized dates with a soft, creamy texture and caramel flavor.
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Zahidi Dates: These are medium-sized dates, firm and chewy, with a sweet, nutty flavor.
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Khadrawy Dates: These are medium-sized dates, soft and sweet, with a wealthy, caramel flavor.
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Dayri Dates: These are large, oblong dates with a soft, chewy texture and a sweet, nutty flavor.
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Thoory Dates: These are small to medium-sized dates which might be firm and chewy, with a sweet, nutty flavor.
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Hayani Dates: These are medium-sized dates, soft and sweet, with a light, honey flavor.
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Mazafati Dates: These dates are grown in Iran and are known for his or her soft, juicy texture and wealthy, caramel flavor.
Bibliography:
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El-Sohaimy, S. A., and Hafez, E. E. (2015). Dates (Phoenix dactylifera L.): an outline of potential health advantages. In Nutritional and therapeutic interventions in diabetes and metabolic syndrome (pp. 121-133). Academic press.
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Mokhtari, M. and Karimi, R. (2016). Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.): cultivation, use and economics in Iran. In Handbook of major pests of palm trees: biology and management (pp. 491-504). Jumper.
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Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2021). Dates. Downloaded from http://www.fao.org/traditional-crops/date-palm/en/
