Fresh Dates | Nuts Dubai
Fresh dates (rutab) are harvested at peak ripeness, offering a soft, moist, and often perishable delicacy. Popular varieties include the large, caramel-like Medjool, yellow and crunchy Barhi, and incredibly sweet, soft Sukkary. These dates are typically sold fresh, refrigerated, or frozen to maintain their high moisture content and flavor.
Top Varieties of Fresh Dates:
- Medjool (Rutab): Large, soft, and juicy with a caramel-vanilla flavor.
- Sukkary / Sukkari (Rutab): Very soft and intensely sweet (often called “the sweet one”).
- Barhi / Barhee: Yellow, crunchy, and astringent when young, turning soft, sweet, and golden-brown
- when fully ripe (one of the few edible fresh-yellow).
- Ajwa: Small, dark, almost black, with a smooth, sweet, treacle-like flavour.
- Khalas / Kholas: Known for their golden color and distinct, lingering caramel flavor.
- Hayani: Very dark, soft, and moist, typically sold fresh and kept refrigerated.
- Safawi: Dark brown, soft, and meaty.
- Rutana: Large, soft, and very sweet, often available early in the season.
Other Varieties & Regional Specialties
- Anbara & Mabroom: Known for their long, slender shape and chewier, natural caramel sweetness.
- Deglet Nour: Often called the “Queen of Light,” these are semi-dry but often sold in fresh-like condition, known for a firm texture and nutty taste.
- Mazafaty / Kimia: A soft, dark brown, juicy date commonly packed in boxes.
- Zahedi: A semi-dry variety with a light brown, almost yellow color and nutty, mild sweetness.
Key Characteristics of Fresh Dates:
Shelf Life: Many, like Barhi and Hayani, require refrigeration and have a very short lifespan (6–10 days).
Stage of Maturity: Fresh dates are typically in the Rutab (ripe, moist) stage, though some are eaten in the Khalal (firm, yellow/red) stage.
Source: Popular types are largely grown in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the UAE.