The most important date varieties today
There are many varieties of dates. They are harvested in various locations around the world. Our dates come from Saudi Arabia. Other countries where dates are grown include Egypt, Tunisia, Israel, Iran, the United States, and Australia. Differences in the growing environment result in various date varieties. Below, we list some of the best-known types.
Medjoul dates
Medjoul dates are among the most popular date varieties in the Netherlands. You can also order this variety from our online shop. The first thing you will notice about a Medjoul date is its size. It is not unusual for this date to measure 7 cm in length. Medjoul dates originally come from Tafilalet, a region in the Moroccan part of the Sahara. Israel has since become the leading producer of this date variety, accounting for 60% of the global market. Medjoul dates are also harvested in countries such as Iran, Jordan, South Africa and Saudi Arabia.
Medjool dates are incredibly healthy. The soil in which the dates are grown influences the nutrients present in the fruit. They contain a variety of vitamins, including A, B2, B3, B5, B11, and K. Medjool dates also contain choline, a nutrient that plays a key role in processes such as signal transmission in the brain. Furthermore, they are packed with minerals like calcium, zinc, copper, potassium, iron, phosphorus, manganese, sodium, and magnesium. Medjool dates are rich in fiber, which is essential for healthy bowel function. They are also full of natural sugars, making them an excellent alternative to refined sugars as a sweetener.
Ajwa dates
Many dates are eaten during Ramadan in the Netherlands. During this period, Muslims fast between sunrise and sunset. The meal eaten after sunset is known as iftar, and dates are often part of it. Ajwa dates are one of the varieties most commonly chosen for this occasion, and not only because they are particularly flavourful.
Ajwa dates hold symbolic significance for Muslims. The Prophet Muhammad singled out this variety as being exceptionally healthy. According to the Messenger (peace be upon him), consuming seven of these dates a day protects one against poison and magic. While we cannot verify the absolute accuracy of that claim, there is no doubt that the Ajwa date is healthy. Ajwa dates are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Their lower sugar content makes them a better choice for people with diabetes. They are beneficial for the heart and the nervous system.
Deglet Nour
The Deglet Nour date—also known as Deglet Noor—is currently one of the most widely imported date varieties. Originally, this date comes from the Tolga oasis in Algeria. The Deglet Nour is often referred to as the "queen of dates," a nickname earned thanks to several of its characteristics: its sweet, honey-like flavor, its beautiful translucent color, and the softness of the fruit. This softness makes it relatively easy to process this variety into date paste. Although the Deglet Nour originates in Algeria, it is also harvested in countries such as Libya, Tunisia, and the United States.
The Deglet Nour date is also highly nutritious. It is packed with vitamins such as A and K, as well as thiamine and folic acid. This stone fruit is also rich in minerals such as calcium, potassium, manganese, iron, sulphur, copper, zinc and magnesium. Like other date varieties, the Deglet Nour contains plenty of fibre. It can affect your energy levels within just half an hour.
Sukari dates
The Dalia Sukari is the variety we use most often for our fresh dates. This date variety mainly comes from Saudi Arabia, where it grows in a fertile oasis. The exceptional soil makes Dalia Sukari dates particularly nutritious. They contain vitamins A, B1, B2, C and K, among others. Sukari dates also contain ten minerals, with an average Sukari date providing up to four times more minerals than other date varieties.
Dates taste best when delivered to customers as fresh as possible. This also applies to our Dalia Sukari dates. Every date is harvested and sorted by hand. They are not treated with chemicals, preservatives or other additives, nor are they dried. This allows our fresh dates to retain their delicious flavour. Dalia Sukari dates are particularly known for their pleasant caramel-like taste.
Stuffed dates
The great thing about dates is that they can be stuffed. The combination of ingredients creates a unique flavor experience. Stuffed dates typically feature a combination of dates and nuts; a prime example is fresh dates filled with walnuts. There are many other possible combinations, such as those using pistachios.
