When it comes to a date, the type of date you choose can make a big difference. Learn about the different types of dates and their benefits.
The date is an exceptional fruit with distinct qualities. Contrary to popular belief, dates really ripen and dry on the plant itself, unlike other dried fruits like prunes, apricot dried apricots, and grapes. Are you familiar with its various varieties? This product is highly intriguing nutritionally.
I’ll admit that it took me some time to understand the date’s significance. Although my parents adored them, I recall that there were often dates at home during the holidays and that I could not determine whether to give them a chance. Fortunately, I later learned about its culinary significance and how the various types can be very versatile in the kitchen.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF DATES AND THEIR BENEFITS
SOFT, SEMI-DRY, AND DRY DATES
The texture and consistency of the dates can be used to broadly categorize them. Different types and their stages of maturation give various qualities that also influence the final flavor. We have dates that are soft, semi-dry, and dry.
Although generally speaking all the ripe types of this fruit have a very high proportion, approximately 80% of sugar, the softer or more delicate dates are sweeter and have a bigger amount of sugar. They contain a lot of calories, though not as much as other dried fruits, making them a fantastic source of energy.
DEGLET NOOR, THE DATE OF LIGHT DATES
One of the most popularised date varieties in the world is this one. She has skin that is light-toned, slightly translucent, smooth, lustrous, and slightly wrinkled. It is a semi-dry, not overly sweet date that is soft yet has harder meat than most.
The Deglet Nour is prized for its versatile qualities because it can be used to make both savory and sweet meals as well as consumed plain. It has a well-balanced flavor and hints of honey and almonds.
It is a fruit that stores very well for a long period without needing to be refrigerated because the humidity is not particularly high.
MEDJOOL, ONE OF THE SWEETEST DATES
The Medjool date, whose specimens can grow to a length of more than 5 cm, is one of the most prized for its size and sweetness. It is incredibly sweet, luscious, juicy, and soft.
It has very black, wrinkled skin that is extremely soft to the touch at the peak of ripeness, to the point that even the skin readily peels off.
The majority of dates used to make confections and other sweets are these dates. They are frequently ground without the bone to produce a paste that can substitute sugar or honey in some dishes since they have a such tender and juicy meat.
It contains caramel undertones with toasted undertones in flavor.
KHADRAWY DATES
Given that its specimens can grow to a length of more than 5 cm, the Medjool date is one of the most prized for its size and flavor. It is exceptionally juicy, delicate, and extremely sweet.
When it is fully mature, the fruit has very black, wrinkled skin that is extremely soft to the touch and easily peels off.
These dates are the ones that are most frequently utilized in confections and the creation of various delicacies.
Because their meat is so tender and moist, it’s popular to grind them without the bone to make a paste that can substitute sugar or honey in some recipes. It has toasty undertones and a tinge of caramel in its flavor.
HALAWY DATES
Another small-caliber date with significantly smoother and more delicate skin is the Halawy. The flavor of this fruit is sweeter and more reminiscent of butter sweets than the customary roasted flavors of other dates when it is at its peak of ripeness.
It is not an easy type to find, but because of its lighter texture, it can be one of the most suggested to try fresh. The meat is creamy and pasty, and it almost melts in your mouth. It resembles the Hadrawi variant quite a bit.
BARHI DATES
Since it is typically eaten fresh, before the natural maturation and drying process that other varieties of dates exhibit, it is one of the hardest dates to locate on the market outside of its manufacturing locations.
Within a few weeks, it is sold and consumed after being picked when it has firm skin and a pale yellow hue.
The low tannin level of the Barhi date allows for fresh consumption. In this state, it resembles an apple with its hard texture and crispy skin.
Although it never achieves the level of sweetness typical of other types, it does get more tender and juicy as it is allowed to air-ripen. Spices like cinnamon can be detected.
MOZAFATI DATES
It is one of the several types that are unique to Iran and are produced there. It is also known as the “Bam date,” after the city in the region where it is grown with the same name.
It is not a very enormous date; rather, its shape is more rounded and flat. Its skin is incredibly dark and lustrous, almost black. It is one of the dates that naturally keep the longest, up to two years, without really losing any of its properties.
For those who prefer a date that is not overly sweet, the Zahidi variety is perfect. This fruit has scents that are reminiscent of dried apricots and apricots with traces of peanuts. It is beef that is firmer and less sweet.
ZAHIDI DATES
Because of its less juicy texture, it is the ideal date for slicing and adding to savory recipes like salads or baked goods. Due to its drier profile, which makes it challenging to grind, it is not particularly ideal for use as a sweetener.
