Not all dates taste the same. Some are soft and honey-sweet, others are firmer, chewier or more earthy. So which dates are best? It really depends on what you like.
Here is a simple comparison of five popular varieties: Medjool, Sukari, Kholas, Ajwa and Khidri.
Date Varieties at a Glance
| Variety | Taste | Texture | Sweetness | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medjool | Rich caramel | Soft, fleshy, chewy | High | Snacking, stuffing, desserts |
| Sukari | Honey and caramel | Very soft | Very high | Eating on their own, coffee |
| Kholas | Toffee, caramel, buttery | Soft and smooth | Medium-high | Snacking, coffee, baking |
| Ajwa | Mild, earthy, fruity | Soft to slightly firm | Medium | Eating on their own, traditional use |
| Khidri | Mild caramel | Firm and chewy | Medium | Everyday snacking, baking |
Texture and sweetness naturally vary between harvests and individual fruits.
Medjool Dates: Big, Fleshy and Caramel-Like
Medjool is probably the best-known premium date variety. The fruits are usually large, soft and fleshy, with a rich caramel flavour and a chewy bite.
Because they are easy to open and fill, Medjool dates are especially good for stuffing with nuts, nut butter or chocolate, but they are also an easy all-round choice for snacking and baking.
Want to know more? Read why Medjool dates are so popular.
Sukari Dates: Soft and Honey-Sweet
Sukari, also written Sukkari, is known for its intense sweetness. The flavour is often honey-like and caramel-rich, while the texture can be exceptionally soft.
Our Sukari dates are gently pressed and packed in their own syrup. They are a great choice if you want a very soft, very sweet date, especially alongside coffee.
Light-coloured sugar crystals can sometimes appear on Sukari dates. This is a natural result of the fruit's sugars crystallising and should not automatically be confused with mould.
Kholas Dates: Buttery, Toffee-Like and Balanced
Kholas has a softer, more balanced sweetness than Sukari, with flavours that can remind you of toffee, caramel and even fudge.
Our Kholas dates are traditionally pressed and packed in their own syrup, giving them a soft texture and concentrated caramel flavour. They are a particularly good choice if you like dates with coffee but do not want maximum sweetness.
You can learn more about pressing in our guide to fresh, dried and pressed dates.
Ajwa Dates: Mild, Earthy and Distinctive
Ajwa dates are smaller and darker than varieties such as Medjool. Their flavour is generally less intensely sweet, with earthy and slightly fruity notes.
They are also well known among Muslims because of their significance in Islamic tradition. If that is what interests you most, we cover it separately in Ajwa Dates in Islam.
Ajwa is a good choice if you prefer a milder date or specifically want this variety for its traditional significance.
Khidri Dates: Firm, Chewy and Easy to Snack On
Khidri dates have a firmer, chewier texture and a mild caramel flavour. They are less soft and syrupy than Sukari or pressed Kholas, which makes them easy to snack on and practical for chopping into porridge, muesli or baked goods.
Which Date Is the Sweetest?
Of these five, Sukari is generally the sweetest. Medjool is also very sweet, while Kholas is a little more balanced. Ajwa and Khidri are better choices if you prefer something less intense.
As a rough guide: Sukari → Medjool → Kholas → Khidri → Ajwa.
Which Dates Are the Softest?
Sukari and Kholas are the softest options in this comparison, especially when pressed. Medjool is also soft, but more fleshy and chewy. Khidri has the firmest bite.
Which Dates Are Best for Baking?
Medjool and soft Sukari dates are excellent when you want to blend dates into a paste. If you want visible pieces that hold their shape better, firmer Khidri is a good option.
So, Which Dates Are the Best?
- Medjool: big, fleshy and versatile
- Sukari: the softest and sweetest
- Kholas: buttery caramel and toffee
- Ajwa: mild, earthy and traditionally significant
- Khidri: firm, chewy and easy to snack on
There is no single best variety. The easiest way to find your favourite is to try a few side by side because the differences are much bigger than you might expect.
Dattel gut, alles gut.
