Arabic & Levantine Pantry Guide
What are Sukkari dates? Golden dates for Arabic coffee
Sukkari dates originate from the Al-Qassim region of Saudi Arabia and are immediately recognisable by their golden-blonde skin and pure, honey-like sweetness. Sold either melt-in-the-mouth soft as rutab or gently chewy, they are the classic date served beside bitter cardamom Arabic coffee.
Soft Sukkari rutab vs crystalline Sukkari maftoul
The name Sukkari comes from the Arabic word for sugar, referring to the fruit's natural butterscotch-like sweetness. Shorter and more conical than Medjool dates, Sukkari dates are enjoyed at two distinct stages. "Sukkari rutab" are harvested while plump and high in moisture, with delicate skin and a creamy, almost syrupy centre. "Sukkari maftoul" are left to dry slightly longer on the palm so the pale golden folds develop a light, toffee-like crunch around a soft middle.
How Sukkari dates are eaten: coffee, tahini and cream
Across the Gulf and the Levant, a bowl of Sukkari dates is set out whenever a pot of lightly roasted, cardamom-spiced Arabic coffee is poured; a bite of the sweet date balances each sip of the unsweetened coffee. Another everyday treat is dipping Sukkari dates into a small dish of smooth sesame tahini or pairing them with thick qishta cream at breakfast and during Ramadan.
