variety

~.~.~Date Types and Varieties~.~.~

Dates are found in over 30 varieties. Most of them have Arabic names that testify to their origin in the Middle East. Dates may be classified into soft and semi-dry and dray types:

{Date Types}

"Soft " dates have a soft flesh, a higher moisture content than the other types. This variety is fragile and is more easily damaged in shipment.

"Semi-dry" dates have firmer flesh and a relatively lower moisture content. Since they are firmer, these dates can be harvested mechanically, processed successfully, and can be held in moisture proof packaging with little deterioration

"Dry" dates have a high sugar content, low moisture content and dry, hard flesh

{Date Varieties}

	BARHI Named for the hot Arabic winds called "Barh" which are supposed to have a particular influence on the flavor of this date. Medium thin skin and rather easily broken. This is a soft, syrupy tasting date with tender, firm flesh.
	DEGLET NOOR A semi-dry date, possesses a delicate flavor, and is firm-textured in appearance. Color ranges from light red to amber.
	HALAWY A soft date, thick flesh and sweet, is somewhat wrinkled in appearance, with a yellow color ripening to a light amber and then to a golden brown.
	KHADRAWY A soft date it has many desirable qualities. It cures well, it ripens to amber, then cured to a reddish brown, with a caramel like texture and a sweet flavor.
	THOORY Often called "Bread Date". Driest date variety, with firm skin, chewier flesh is the staple diet of the Nomadic tribes of the desert countries of the world.
	ZAHIDI Called "Nobility", a semi-dry date, distinguished by its large seed in proportion to the fruit itself. This date is widely used to make diced dates and date sugar products. It features a crunchy and fibrous flesh.