An Iftar staple during the holy month of Ramadan, dates are a delicious nutrient-dense food rich in essential minerals, vitamins, and fibre. Here are the most expensive and luxurious dates in the world.
Highly nutritious and deliciously sweet, dates are packed with potassium, magnesium, copper, manganese, iron, vitamin B6, antioxidants, and natural sugars. A single date can provide an energetic boost to combat lethargy, particularly after a day of fasting or an extreme workout. In addition to that, the mealy sweetness of dates makes them an ideal substitute for refined sugar — in cooking, baking, and beyond.
Fresh or dried, blended into smoothies or baked into a healthy sweet treat, dates pack an incredible punch, providing big nutrition in a small package. How well do you know your dates, and which are your favourites? Here are some of the most delicious, luxurious, and expensive dates available for your exclusive sampling pleasure.
The most expensive and luxurious dates in the world
Ajwa
Taste: Caramelly and slightly nutty with hints of spice, vanilla, and liquorice
Texture: Soft and chewy
Sweetness level: Mildly sweet
Appearance: Dark brown to black, medium to jumbo varieties available
Country of origin: Medina, Saudi Arabia
Widely regarded as the most sought-after dates in the world, Ajwa dates — also known as Holy dates — are native to the Medina region in Saudi Arabia where they are exclusively grown. These delicious morsels owe their unique, nectar-sweet flavour and luxurious quality to the specific microclimates and soil conditions of the region.
Notably, the cultivation of Ajwa date palm trees requires copious amounts of attention and care, with careful maintenance, pruning, irrigation, and protection from pests and diseases forming the bulk of the work. With limited and labour-intensive production at play, it stands to reason that they are among the most expensive dates in the world.
Ajwa dates also hold religious significance in Islam, with traditional associations with the Islamic prophet Muhammad. They are incredibly nutrient-dense, and are a fantastic source of magnesium, vitamin B, potassium, antioxidants, calcium, phosphorus, and more.
Medjool
Taste: Rich, like caramel, honey, butterscotch
Texture: Soft, fudgy, and chewy
Sweetness level: Intensely sweet
Appearance: Dark brown, textured and slightly wrinkled skin
Country of origin: Morocco
Known as the “King of Dates”, Medjool dates were once considered an exquisite delicacy afforded only by royalty and for special occasions. First cultivated in the Tafilalt region of Morocco, Medjool dates account for 25 percent of all global trades, making them one of the most popular varietals today. Owing to global demand, Medjool dates are now cultivated around the world, expanding beyond its native Morocco into Jordan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, and beyond. Of note: UK-based social enterprise Zaytoun sells Medjool dates sourced from war-torn Palestine.
Being significantly larger than many other dates, often measuring 2 to 3 inches in length, Medjool dates are highly sought-after for their size, their juicy and plump texture, and their caramelly sweetness. They are often enjoyed on their own as snacks or as natural sweeteners for dishes or desserts.
Deglet Nour
Taste: Subtle, like honey with nutty undertones, cashews, or browned butter
Texture: Firm, semi-dry, and slightly crunchy
Sweetness level: Mildly sweet
Appearance: Amber to light ochre in colour, longer oval shape, with a slightly translucent exterior, medium in size
Country of origin: Tolga, Algeria
Every king must have his queen, and the “Queen of Dates” is Deglet Nour. A golden nugget of delight that has rightly earned the nickname “fingers of light”, the Deglet Nour date boasts a honeyed and slightly nutty flavour, with a firm and semi-dry but soft texture. Originating in the Tolga oasis of Algeria, they are now also produced in Libya, Tunisia, and in the inland oases of the United States. While it is less sweet than both the Ajwa and Medjool date varietals, the Deglet Nour date continues to command a loyal fanbase and is often used in cooking and baking alike. Favoured as a viable and healthier replacement for cane sugar, it stands to reason that the Deglet Nour date is among the most expensive dates in the world.
Sukkari
Taste: Caramel, honey-like
Texture: Meltingly soft and chewy
Sweetness level: Very sweet
Appearance: Golden brown with slightly wrinkled, glossy skin, rounded oval in shape, available in medium to large sizes
Country of origin: Saudi Arabia
Originating from Saudi Arabia, Sukkari dates are beloved for their meltingly soft and moist texture as well as their incredible, honey-like and caramelly sweetness. They are available in two forms — Sukkari Rutab, which are semi-dry, boasting a tender and juicy texture whilst Sukkari Mufattal, which are fully dry, have a firmer mouthfeel. Widely regarded as a premium product, the Sukkari date counts itself among one of the most expensive and luxurious dates in the world.
Khalas
Taste: Creamy butter caramel with hints of toffee and brown sugar
Texture: Moist, sticky, fleshy, tender, and melty, with meaty pulp
Sweetness level: Mild to medium sweet
Appearance: Reddish brown and oblong, with glossy skin, of average size
Country of origin: United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman
Among the most favoured cultivars of dates in the Middle East, the Khalas date is considered one of the best varieties, being rich in fibre, minerals, and vitamins. A delicious morsel often savoured as a snack, the Khalas date is regarded as a symbol of hospitality, and it is frequently served with Arabic coffee. Its moderate sweetness and mealy bite provide widespread appeal, ensuring its place amidst gatherings and celebrations alike.
Barhi
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Taste: Syrupy, like butterscotch with hints of honey and toffee (dry); fresh, crisp, with hints of coconut, apples, and sugarcane (fresh)
Texture: Soft and chewy (dry); crunchy, like apples (fresh)
Sweetness level: Extremely sweet
Appearance: Amber to brown in colour with slightly wrinkled skin, oblong in shape (dry); plump and golden yellow, often sold on the vine
Country of origin: Iraq
When fully ripe, the Barhi date possesses a sweetness that rivals even that of the Medjool date, making it an extremely valuable cultivar. However, the Barhi date is also unique in that it has a lower-than-average astringency, making it edible at all three stages of ripeness. When sold in their unripe, yellow stages, the date is covered in a matte golden yellow skin, boasting a pleasantly mild sweetness and a crunch reminiscent of apples. The date turns a deeper ochre brown as it ripens into the Rutab (ripe) stage, where it develops a rich, caramel-and-toffee flavour and a soft, chewy texture.
Piarom
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Taste: Distinct, sweet, slightly bitter with hints of burnt toffee and caramel
Texture: Semi-dry with thin skin, meaty
Sweetness level: Extremely sweet
Appearance: Dark brown to black skin, thin and long (between 2 to 5 centimetres)
Country of origin: Hormozgan, Iran
Sweeter than dates of both the Barhi and Medjool varieties, the Piarom date is considered the creme de la creme of the date world, owing to its distinctive sweetness and its limited production qualities. Exclusively produced in the vicinity of Hajjiabad, Hormozgan in Southern Iran, Piarom dates are considered prized treat, savoured for its unique flavour, which is slightly bitter with hints of toffee and caramel. Also known as “chocolate dates” or “Maryami dates”, these little nuggets of delight are both lavish and luxurious, featuring prominently among the most expensive dates in the world.
Mazafati
Taste: Like molasses, caramelly with a rich, chocolatey sweetness
Texture: Soft, fleshy, and chewy with a moist consistency
Sweetness level: Extremely sweet
Appearance: Dark brown to black and of a medium size, with sticky skin
Country of origin: Iran
Among the most popular dates in Iran, Mazafati dates are also known as “Bam dates”, and can claim to be some of the best fresh date varieties available today. Widely regarded as sweeter than even the Barfi date, Mazafati dates have a high moisture content of about 15 to 35 percent, which contribute to their juicy, fleshy texture. They are beloved either as snacks or as sweeteners in desserts, with flavour that has often been described as caramel or molasses-like.
Khenaizi
Taste: Rich, with a balanced caramel sweetness
Texture: Soft and chewy
Sweetness level: Mildly sweet
Appearance: Dark brown with slightly wrinkled skin, oval in shape
Country of origin: UAE
A popular snack in the Middle East, Khenaizi dates provide a balanced flavour profile that place it below many date varieties in terms of sweetness, making it a favoured treat for those who are watching their sugar intake. Like all other dates, the Khenaizi date contains a wealth of nutrients, including iron, sodium, potassium, and fluorine, with an abundance of amino acids and insoluble fibres that aid with digestion. They are also known as the “Everday Four Black Dates”, a name that highlights their importance in cultural cuisine.
Mabroom
Taste: Subtle, with a toffee-like aftertaste
Texture: Chewy, fibrous, soft, yet firm
Sweetness level: Mild and subtle sweetness
Appearance: Reddish to dark brown with slightly wrinkled skin, elongated
Country of origin: Saudi Arabia
Known as Barari Mabroom, Mabroom dates are immensely popular in Sauda Arabia, where they are beloved for their subtle, balanced sweetness and unique, toffee-like aftertaste. Lovers of this date also enjoy its uniquely chewy, sticky, and fibrous texture, as well as its nutritional richness. Packed with minerals, antioxidants, calcium, potassium, and magnesium, the Mabroom date is an ideal choice for those who need to watch their sugar intake, as they are higher in protein and lower in calories than other dates.
Safawi
Taste: Rich caramel sweetness with hints of molasses, toffee, and coffee; has a slightly bitter aftertaste
Texture: Soft, moist, tender, and chewy, with a hint of firmness
Sweetness level: Very sweet
Appearance: Dark brown, almost black, slightly wrinkled skin, elongated shape
Country of origin: Saudi Arabia
Often compared to Ajwa dates, the Safawi date is unique in its flavour, which is richly and sweet with hints of caramel, molasses, and toffee. It has been said that the Safawi date boasts the perfect balance in sweetness that is not overly saccharine, making it the perfect bite whether as a snack or as a natural sweetener in dessert or cooking. Notably, many believe the Safawi date to be sweeter than even the Medjool date. They are also known to contain an abundance of nutrients, from vitamins and minerals to fibre for gut health.
(Main and featured images: Glenov Brankovic/Unsplash)
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