8 varieties of datesImage Credit source: Irina Marwan/Moment/Getty Images
Dates are also considered a winter superfood. It helps in keeping our body warm. You should include dates in limited quantity in your daily diet, so that the body continues to get micronutrients. According to Health Line, dates contain good amounts of fiber, protein, potassium, magnesium, copper, manganese, iron and vitamin B6. Apart from this, it is rich in antioxidants, hence it benefits health in many ways. Like improving digestive health, immunity booster, promoting brain health, boosting energy, improving bone health. The outer layer of the date is not sweet at all, but when you eat it, the natural sweetness dissolves in the mouth. Many types of dates are available in the market and each variety has its own specialty.
Dates are mostly grown in countries like Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Egypt, Algeria. However, in India too, dates are grown in many states. There are different varieties of dates grown around the world and there is a lot of difference in their taste. Let us see about 8 types of dates.
Ajwa Dates
Ajwa dates are the most famous variety found in Medina, Saudi Arabia. This date with soft pulp, sweetness and mild chocolate like taste not only tastes good, but is also full of nutrition. Due to its good quality, these dates are liked all over the world.
Medjool Dates
Medjool dates found in Morocco and the Middle East are also called the “king of dates”. These dates are light brown in color and their size is slightly larger. These dates are very much liked for their sweet taste like caramel. It is very soft to eat and dissolves as soon as it goes in the mouth. For this reason, it is preferred for making snacks and desserts.
Barhi Dates
Barhi dates are considered a popular date variety of Iraq. This yellow coloured, round shaped date is very soft. When it is fresh, its taste is full of sweetness as well as creaminess. These dates can be easily grown in hot areas and these dates are consumed directly like fruits.
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Deglet Noor Dates
The upper layer of Deglet Noor dates coming from Tunisia and Algeria is slightly transparent in appearance and this light has a golden glow. Their taste is mildly sweet and the more you chew it, the tastier it tastes. This date is widely used in baking and is one of the most popular varieties to eat in daily routine.
Safawi Dates
Like ajwa, Safavi date is also grown in Medina, Saudi Arabia. These light black-brown colored dates are soft and their taste is quite rich, in which the sweetness of caramel is also felt. This date has a long shelf life, hence it is in demand all over the world. This date is known to boost energy and improve digestion.
Amber Dates
Amber dates are one of the premium varieties of Medina and Saudi Arabia… They are large in size and their upper layer is a little thick. These dates are rich in nutrients and have mild natural sweetness. Amber dates are considered one of the varieties of luxury dates.
Khalas Dates
Khalas dates, which are mainly grown in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, have a creamy sweet taste and apart from being perfect for daily eating, they are also good to grind to enhance the sweetness in sweets. The specialty of this date is that it has a balanced taste.
Sukkari Dates
Talking about the special variety found in Qassim region of Saudi Arabia, Sakkai date is very much liked. Its taste is very sweet. It will feel soft and full of sweetness like honey. These light brown-shiny colored dates melt in the mouth and that is why people like it a lot. For sweet cravings, it is best to include these dates instead of sugar.