Top 10 Best Dates in the World (2025 Official Ranking)

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Updated: 11 November 2025 • Expert Ranking

The Official Ranking: 10 Best Dates in the World (2025 Guide)

From caramel-rich Medjool to chocolatey Piarom, this guide delivers tasting notes, use-cases, pricing context, and a sourcing playbook for shoppers and B2B buyers.

Hero image © Dates.Business. Source: Internal product photography.

Key Takeaways

• Best Overall: Medjool—size, caramel flavor, premium gifting.
• Health & Heritage: Ajwa—revered, dense texture, limited origin (Madinah).
• Value Premium: Mazafati (Kimia)—melt-in-mouth; requires cold chain.
• Gourmet Choice: Piarom—dark chocolate notes; semi-dry, chewy.
• Baking Standard: Deglet Noor—semi-dry, holds shape, affordable.

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Contents

1. How We Ranked
2. Top-10 Comparison Table
3. In-Depth Profiles
4. Honorable Mentions
5. Best by Use-Case
6. B2B Sourcing Guide
7. FAQ

How We Ranked These Dates

Our framework balances consumer taste with commercial reality:

• Flavor & Texture (40%) – sweetness, complexity, mouthfeel
• Global Popularity (30%) – demand across retail & e-commerce
• Versatility (20%) – snacking, gifting, culinary use
• Appearance (10%) – size, color, skin integrity

Top-10 Comparison Table

Rank	Variety	Taste	Texture	Origin	Buyer Tip
1	Medjool	Caramel, honey	Soft, succulent	Israel, USA, Jordan	Specify count-per-kg for consistent sizing.
2	Ajwa	Prune, raisin	Firm, dense	Madinah, KSA	Insist on Certificate of Origin.
3	Mazafati (Kimia)	Caramel, cocoa	Melt-in-mouth	Bam, Iran	Maintain 0–5°C cold chain.
4	Piarom	Dark chocolate, toffee	Semi-dry, chewy	Hormozgan, Iran	Low volume, premium pricing.
5	Safawi	Balanced sweet	Soft, chewy	Madinah, KSA	Great mid-premium Ramadan seller.
6	Mabroom	Delicate toffee	Firm, chewy	Saudi Arabia	Stable at ambient temps.
7	Sukkari	Very sweet, honey	Soft, crystally	Al-Qassim, KSA	Popular as rutab (semi-ripe).
8	Deglet Noor	Nutty, brown sugar	Semi-dry, firm	Tunisia, Algeria	Industry standard for pitted/diced.
9	Barhi	Butterscotch (fresh)	Crisp→soft	Iraq, USA	High demand in fresh (khalal) season.
10	Zahidi	Nutty, buttery	Semi-dry, firm	Iraq, Iran	Workhorse for paste & processing.

In-Depth Profiles

Mazafati (Kimia) from Bam, Iran. Image source: Blogger CDN / user-submitted — view full size.

#1. Medjool — The King of Dates

Quick verdict: Big, glossy, and indulgent; the gold standard for gifting.

• Notes: Rich caramel, wild honey; very soft and fibrous.
• Visuals: Amber to reddish-brown, minimal skin lift (<10%).
• Pro tip: Purchase by count-per-kg (e.g., 40–50 for jumbo), not just “jumbo/super.”

#2. Ajwa — The Holy Classic

Quick verdict: Revered variety with dense bite and deep, prune-like sweetness.

• Origin: Exclusive to Madinah, KSA; heritage-driven demand.
• Look: Small, very dark, subtle white skin lines.
• Pro tip: Demand Certificate of Origin to avoid counterfeits.

#3. Mazafati (Kimia) — The Melt-in-Mouth Favorite

Quick verdict: Luxurious texture at a friendly price; protect with cold chain.

• Flavor: Caramel, brown sugar, hint of chocolate.
• Handling: Store 0–5°C; avoid temperature shocks.
• Pro tip: Look for glossy skin, plump body, no excessive syrup.

#4. Piarom — The Connoisseur’s Pick

Quick verdict: Semi-dry, elegant sweetness with dark chocolate notes.

• Texture: Chewy with thin, attached skin.
• Positioning: Low volume, high margin—perfect for gourmet retail.

#5. Safawi — Crowd-Pleaser for Ramadan

Quick verdict: Balanced sweetness; reliable quality for mid-premium hampers.

• Alias: Often sold as “Kalmi.”
• Tip: Prioritize uniform sizing for gift packs.

#6. Mabroom — Elegant and Firm

Quick verdict: Firm chew, delicate toffee; travels well at ambient temps.

#7. Sukkari — Honey Sweetness

Quick verdict: A hit as rutab (semi-ripe); dessert-like sweetness.

#8. Deglet Noor — Baking & Processing Hero

Quick verdict: Semi-dry firmness holds shape in cooking; cost-efficient.

#9. Barhi — Seasonal Superstar

Quick verdict: Sought after in khalal (fresh) stage; butterscotch notes.

#10. Zahidi — The Workhorse

Quick verdict: Semi-dry, nutty; ideal for paste, dice, and industrial uses.

Honorable Mentions

• Halawy: Soft Iraqi variety with honeyed sweetness.
• Thoory: “Bread date” from Algeria—dry and baking-friendly.
• Dayri: Robust flavor; darkens from red to black as it ripens.

Best by Use-Case

For Health & Tradition

Ajwa for heritage and unique antioxidants; Safawi as a more accessible daily pick.

For Luxury Gifting

Medjool (jumbo calibers) for wow-factor; Piarom for gourmet storytelling.

For Baking & Foodservice

Deglet Noor and Zahidi—stable moisture, consistent dice/paste output.

B2B Sourcing Guide

Market Tiers

• Luxury (Low Volume, High Margin): Ajwa, jumbo Medjool, Piarom.
• Premium (High Volume): Mazafati, Safawi, Mabroom.
• Value/Processing: Deglet Noor, Zahidi.

Quality Controls

• Caliber: Use count-per-kg; verify with packed weight checks.
• Skin Lift: Minimal separation indicates careful handling.
• Moisture & Temp: Cold chain for soft/moist varieties (0–5°C).
• Documentation: COO for Ajwa; health certs; pesticide residue compliance.

Need a supplier short-list? Contact us with your specs (variety, caliber, packaging, destination).

FAQ

What is the absolute best date?

Medjool for indulgent snacking and gifting; Ajwa for spiritual significance and distinctive texture.

Medjool vs. Deglet Noor—how to choose?

Medjool is ultra-soft and caramel-forward; Deglet Noor is firmer and ideal for baking or cost-effective retail SKUs.

Are Ajwa/Piarom worth the premium?

Yes, for connoisseur audiences and corporate gifting where provenance and flavor storytelling command higher price points.

Mohammad Abid Hurzuk

Sourcing specialist in the global dates trade. Last reviewed: 11 Nov 2025. Work with us.