Dates
Ajwa, Medjool, Safawi, Sukkari: which date is for you?
Soft, sweet, for gifts or every day.
Quick guide: softest and sweetest, Medjool and Sukkari. Less sweet, Ajwa. Balanced, Safawi. Best value for every day, Tunisian Deglet Noor.
Malaysians buy dates to serve and to give, so it matters what your guests think. The best compliment is a guest asking, "Where did you get these?" Here's how to pick the right one.
The five dates side by side
| Date | From | Taste and texture | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ajwa | Madinah, Saudi Arabia | Small, dark, soft and fruity. Less sweet. | People who don't like it too sweet |
| Medjool | Palestine | Large, soft, caramel-sweet | Guests and gifts |
| Safawi | Madinah, Saudi Arabia | Dark and chewy, balanced sweetness | Every day |
| Sukkari | Saudi Arabia | Soft and very sweet | A sweet tooth |
| Deglet Noor | Tunisia | Golden, delicate, honey-like. Medium sweet. | Every day, doorgifts |
Ajwa: the taste of Umrah
The date gardens around Madinah grow small, dark Ajwa. Soft, fruity and less sweet than most. For many of our customers it's the taste of coming home from Umrah, dates carried back in the luggage and shared with family in the kampung. See Ajwa Madinah Dates
Medjool: the one that impresses
In the Jordan Valley around Jericho, one of the oldest towns in the world, date palms have grown for thousands of years. Medjool from here is large, soft and caramel-sweet. Every pack of ours says "Palestine", so you know. See Medjool Dates from Palestine
Safawi: the everyday favourite
Also from Madinah. Dark and chewy, with a balanced sweetness that sits between Ajwa and Medjool. A good date to keep in the jar for the whole month. See Safawi Dates
Sukkari: for a sweet tooth
"Sukkari" comes from the Arabic word for sugar, and it lives up to the name. Soft, very sweet and easy to love. See Sukkari Dates
Deglet Noor: the "date of light"
From the oases of southern Tunisia. Hold one up to the sun and you can see the pit inside, which is how it got its name. Golden, delicate and medium sweet. The best value for every day, and a favourite for doorgifts. See Tunisian Dates
Choose by the occasion
- Breaking the fast every day: Safawi or Tunisian.
- Raya guests: Medjool, or a VIP grade for the table.
- A gift for someone who has been on Umrah: Ajwa.
- Kenduri and doorgifts: Tunisian, or see our gift boxes.
What do A, AA and VIP mean?
Same taste. The difference is size and how even the dates are. VIP is the biggest and most even, good for gifts. Grade A is the best value for eating at home.
How to store dates
- Keep them in a closed container, somewhere cool and dry.
- In hot weather, keep them in the fridge.
- A thin white film is natural sugar, not mould.
- All our dates have pits. Remove them before giving dates to young children.
Dates and honey also belong together: try a Medjool with a spoon of Sidr honey and a cup of Arabic coffee. Browse all our dates.
