Nisma Rafiq
Saudi Gazette
It is impossible to imagine the month of Ramadan and fasting without dates. They are essential as oxygen is to breathing. It is Sunnah of the prophet to break the fast with dates and water. Saudi Arabia is a country blessed with dates, and people here get to enjoy different types of dates, over 300 kinds to choose from with different textures and tastes. Here is your one stop guide to picking dates this month:
Ajwa: The world famous Ajwa dates are soft and semi-dry with a sweet and fruity taste. Mentioned in numerous hadiths, ajwas have many health benefits. It belongs to the holy city of Madina Al Munawarrah.
Anbara: This date, with a small seed and large fruit, is considered one of the most expensive varieties available on the market.
Barhi: Considered a favorite for those who enjoy crunchy caramel flavors, this date is yellow and brown in color. Yellow is the crunchy texture and the ripe brown part is sweet.
Al Khalas: Available in sealed packets in the market, they are soft, sticky, and always sweet and chewy. Khalas dates usually accompany Arabic coffee. They come for Al Kharj and Qasim regions.
Sukkari: These dates are crispy, dry, yet have a balanced sweetness and come from the region of Qasim. They are blond on the outside with a sweet pulp. They are pleasant with the cup of tea and are often given as gifts.
Segai: This variety is important and expensive from Riyadh region. They are dry in texture with a mild sweetness.
Khudri: These dates are soft, sweet, dark brown in color and are highly sought after due to their larger size and chewy consistency. Khudris are not just delicious in taste, but have extreme nutritional value with loads of minerals and vitamins.
