Arabic & Levantine Pantry Guide
Choosing dates for Ramadan: comparing popular varieties
Choosing dates for Ramadan comes down to texture and how you serve them: Medjool dates are large and rich like caramel, Sukkari are golden and sweet beside Arabic coffee, while Khalas and Ajwa are medium-sized for daily iftar. Knowing how each variety differs helps you pick the right box.
Medjool, Sukkari, Khalas and Ajwa compared
Medjool dates are large, plump and soft with a deep caramel taste, making them well suited as a single date to break the fast. Sukkari dates have a golden skin and a pronounced honeyed sweetness; sold either soft as rutab or slightly chewy at the edges, they are the classic partner for cardamom-scented Arabic coffee. Khalas dates are amber-coloured with a gentler sweetness suited to daily eating. Ajwa dates from Medina are small, dark and rounded with a firm, dense bite.
Which dates to buy for stuffing, daily iftar and baking
When preparing stuffed dates with walnuts, toasted almonds, pistachios or tahini for guests, large Medjool dates are the easiest to pit and fill. For everyday family iftar throughout the month, medium varieties such as Khalas, Lulu, Khadri or Sukkari in larger packs are practical. For Eid pastries like maamoul and kaak, bakers use smooth date paste kneaded with ghee and a pinch of mahlab or cinnamon.
