Medjool is often at center stage when it comes to dates. However, did you know that dates range from sweet to bitter to salty to spicy and everywhere in between and that each variety of date brings its own flavors, textures, and health benefits that set it apart from the rest? So let’s discover some less popular dates and how their presence can spice up your culinary life.
Sukkary Dates (Royal Dates)
Origin: Saudi Arabia, Al Qassim Region
Sukkary dates (Royal Dates) are a special variety with a sweet, honey-like flavor and melt-in-the-mouth texture. These golden delights offer pleasure to your palates and boast skin rejuvenating and digestive benefits. Sukkary dates improve any dish, whether added to sweets or enjoyed as a snack.
Mazafati Dates (Kimia Dates)
Origin: Iran
One of Iran’s fertile lands’ treasures is Mazafati dates, which are often called Kimia dates. Their soft, dark brown exterior and rich flavor profile—of brown sugar, caramel, and chocolate—make them the perfect treat for your sweet tooth. But these dates, besides the taste, are enriched with iron, supporting cognitive health and improving hair vitality.
Chuara Dates (Dry Dates)
Origin: Iran
Chuara dates, or dry dates, are an amalgam of nutty and sweet. It is the type of hardness that will let you cook them or munch them. Fiber and nutritious dates, these dates are an excellent nutrient-dense, filling choice for anyone looking to incorporate quality food into their routine.
Ajwa Dates (Arabian Dates)
Origin: Saudi Arabia
The variety of Ajwa dates is prized and comes from Saudi Arabia. These dates are as beneficial as they are delicious, being prune-like with oval tastes. The rice’s dark brown to black color hints at a rich nutrient profile, including properties that promote heart health, prevent arterial constriction, and support cardiac function.
Zahidi Dates (Qyno Dates)
Origin: Northern Iraq
These are Zahidi dates, or Qyno dates, the rare, exquisite variety. These dates are medium-sized and oval-shaped, turning into a yellow-golden amber when ripe. Zahidi dates are world-renowned for their durability in transport and storage, known for their resilience and long-lasting quality. Their mild sweetness and firm texture make them a versatile choice for cooking and snacking.
Dates as a part of Cooking
And these aren’t just for snacking; these varieties of dates can transform your recipes. Here’s how to use them creatively:
- Desserts: For natural sweetness, add chopped Sukkary or Mazafati dates to cakes, cookies, or puddings.
- Smoothies: Almond milk and Almond banana dates are a very nutritious blend.
- Stuffed Dates: To make Chuara dates an elegant appetizer, arrange them in ring form with nuts or soft cheese.
- Salads: Zahidi dates make a great addition to salads with some sweetness and texture.
Conclusion
The caramel characteristics of the Mazafati, the heart-healthy benefits of the Ajwa, the Romance Cumberlands’ Mild Caramel sweetness, Tombouctou, a low-sugar date with fire, the Black dates of Massawa, and many more varieties—each one brings something to the table. Pulling these lesser-known dates into the light can be downright delicious and open up a world of flavors and potential health benefits to food fans and health-aware eaters alike.
With a passion for healthy living, Michael shares insightful articles, delicious recipes, and practical tips to nourish your body and mind.
