Have you ever heard about Madinah dates?
Who doesn’t like the softness and gooeyness of the delicious dates? Almost everyone likes, right? This fantastic fruit does not just make you “I can’t stop myself from eating”, but it’s packed with vital nutrients that deliver hundreds of health benefits to the human body.
Unlike any other fruit, the date comes in all shapes, sizes, and tastes. We can say health comes in all shapes and sizes. Plus, the soft and dry dates have a unique speciality.
Whether you are a date lover or even if you are not and just wanting to eat for its health benefits, you should consider buying Madinah dates. These dates are famous worldwide for taste and variety. The second holiest city in Islam offers Hajj for pilgrims and many dates that they take as a gift for their loved ones.
So, if you are in Madinah or may be planning to travel, we are sure you can’t come back without purchasing Madinah dates.
But many questions can come to your mind, like from where I can buy high-quality dates in Madinah? Or how to identify the different dates? Or what is the bookmark of identifying Ajwah date?
To answer your questions, we have gathered all of the useful information about the Madinah Dates. But first, you must know what the reason behind the popularity of Madinah dates is?
Why Are Madinah Dates Famous?
One of the striking reasons why Madinah dates are famous is that they are the staple food in Saudi Arabia. The locals use them as a standard and main ingredient in their dishes. Muslims consider this fruit as an essential part of their diet. Also, in the month of Ramadan, Muslims eat dates while breaking their fast every evening.
Another reason why Madinah dates are famous because Saudia Arabia is the second-largest producer of dates in the world. If we see in Islamic history, dates are the Prophet Muhammad’s favourite food (peace Be Upon Him). He ate them when he broke his fast.
The date fruit is known as “tamr”, and the date palm is known as “nakhl” in Arabic. These words are mentioned in the Quran more than any other fruit on earth, which means they are closely related to Islam and its history. It means the importance of dates has been cultivated in the Arabian culture for thousands of years.
What are the Different Types of Dates Available in Madinah?
The significance of Madinah dates is incomparable. So, if you are ready to buy them, you should know about the types of dates before getting them. This guide will help you purchase the dates according to your personal need and choice.
However, people have a different kind of consideration before buying the dates. They measure the date based on quality and taste, which is right. There are 10 main kinds of dates widely available in Madinah.
1. Ajwah
When it comes to the dates of Madinah, Ajwa tops the list. This date is famous because the Messenger of Allah Prophet (PBUH) liked it. It has a combination of dryness and softness, which gives smoothness and sweetness when you eat it. Also, this fruit has healing and medicinal properties. In one hadith, the Prophet (PBUH) said that:
‘Taking Ajwa dates in the morning protects a human from magic and poison until the evening of the day.’ (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith #663, 664, 672)
Ajwah has high medicinal properties and considered as best of all the dates. It’s tasty and also costly as compared to the other dates of Madinah. Highly rich in fibre and other vital nutrients, Ajwah could indeed become a healthy addition to your breakfast.
How to Identify the Real ‘Ajwah’ Dates?
If you want to buy Ajwah, you surely wish to buy the real date. Here is the foolproof technique you can use to identify the original Ajwah. Look closely at the dates at the time of buying.
- There are fine white lines present on the real Ajwah, while imitation/copy fruit doesn’t have it.
- Also, look for the small and soft date when purchasing the Ajwah. The old dates ae hard to touch and could be infected with the worms.
- You can eat the dates by asking the vendor if you find brown stuff on spitting the dates; it’s not right in quality.
- To avoid imitation, you can ask your Arabic friend for the real Ajwah date.
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The al Madina Center for Arabic is the first language school specializing in teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers, based in Medina, Saudi Arabia.
2. Medjool
This type of date fruit is widely available in Madinah. They are commonly known as the “crown jewel dates” or “soft dates” because of their hoisted position: wrinkled and dried outside and sticky and sweet inside.
Dates are usually categorized as dry, soft or semi-dry with the help of their taste and texture. However, soft dates are generally considered high-quality because they are harder to grow and require more care as insects and birds can easily damage them.
The amazing thing about Medjool dates: they taste like caramel. When you eat, it’s hard to believe that you are eating just a date. So, if you are a caramel or chocolate lover, you can substitute these with the sugary caramel and enjoy the high nutrition benefits and healing properties.
3. Safawi
Dark black colour and long/medium size form, Arabic calls it “Safawi dates”. These dates are quite similar to Ajwah dates but only in term of delicacy and taste. Safawi is readily available in Madinah as the palm tree of Safawi is known for its fast growth.
This date is the best type after Ajwah, and demand for this product in Saudi Arabians increases each day. Locals eat it for boosting their immunity and improving their health.
4. Sukary
The date for diabetic patients. Sukary has a fresh sweet pulp and blonde gold colour. In the market, they are mostly harvested late and then dried out later.
These dates are eaten wet, and they are the only wet date that’s harvested before they become dry. Although, the temperature control maintains freshness.
In Madinah, the dates are high in price but incredibly delicious in taste. You can save them easily in the freezer for a longer time.
5. Anbarah
This type of date is Arabs’ favourite because of its soft flesh, big size and small seed. They are one of the expensive dates in Madinah. Just like any other traditional fruit, they are sweet and full of protein. But the colour is dark red, and they are usually rectangular in shape.
However, they are not as delicious as other dates. They are expensive because of their appearance and smell. Due to their amazing aroma and beauty, people buy them as a gift for their loved ones.
6. Sakey
Sakey is another option when it comes to delicious dates. With the shape of a thick cylinder, this fruit is a flat edge of a highlighted red yellowish.
It’s usually eaten fresh when yellow and eaten when brown in colour means when it’s ripe. Sweet and soft and packed with excellent nutrients. But it doesn’t stay for long in your freezer.
7. Khudry
These are some of the most exported dates because of the reasonable prices and freshness. They are soft and dark in brown colour. Extremely sweet, wrinkled and dry in nature.
Apart from sweetness, these dates are available in both small or large sizes. So, if you want to refresh and energize yourself, try Khudry! However, the only con is they lack fibre as compared to the other dates.
8. Mabroom
Looking to stock in the dates for a more extended period without losing the taste? This is one of the commercial variants of Arabic dates available in Madinah.
It tastes good like any other traditional dates but not so sweet. However, the price is a bit expensive than others. It can be stored chilled and wet.
9. Khlas
Khlas is one of the most popular palm cultivators in Saudi Arabia. This date is famous for its sweetness level, which is not so high nor so low.
Suitable for most people, including diabetic patients. Packed with fibres and vitamins, this date offers a tropical taste of date fruit.
10. Khidri
The soft and chewy texture, just like any soft candy with red or dark maroon skin.
You are getting benefits in this fruit that you won’t get in any candy filled with sugars and artificial flavours.
This date is fully packed with fibre content and has a lot more to offer than other nutrition value in dates.
Benefits of Madinah Dates
· Fiber Enriched
Dates are especially famous for their fibre content. Getting the right amount of fibre is essential for your overall health. There are usually 7 grams of fibre in a 3.5-ounce each fruit, which means adding dates to your diet could be an easy way to overcome the fibre’s deficiency in the body. Basically, fibre can improve your overall digestive health by preventing constipation. It also promotes the daily bowel moments by contributing to the formation of stool.
· Potassium Rich
Dates are not only high in fibre, but they are potassium enriched. There is 20% RDI (Recommend Dietary Intake) potassium in the dates. This nutrient helps your heartbeat to stay regular. Also, it allows muscles and nerves to contract.
· Magnesium Enriched
Usually, dates contain the 14% RDI Magnesium in each fruit. There are numerous benefits of magnesium for the human body, like it regulates muscle and nerve function, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and helps build bone protein.
· Rich in Other Vital Nutrients
Dates are a superfood. Each serving contains 277 calories, 75 grams of carbs, 2 grams of protein, Copper 18% RDI, Iron 5% RDI and Manganese 15% of the RDI.
· Fight Diabetes
You might be thinking about how sweetness can help you in combating diabetes? Yes, dates can enhance insulin production and have various properties that can help decrease glucose absorption from the intestine. This is how dates can help in reducing the risk of diabetes.
From where to Buy Dates in Madinah?
These three places are famous for the quality dates:
1. Market of Mosque Quba
Talking about high-quality dates and won’t include the Masjid Quba Market?
This market is behind the Quba Mosque, and you can buy all the type of dates from here at reasonable prices.
2. Madinah Date Market
This is the central date market of Madinah known as the “Souq Al Tumor”. It’s an old market and is always busy.
This place has become a significant attraction for foreigners/outsiders as the dates of Madinah are famous worldwide.
This place has all of the 150 Arabic dates variety, which are sold and exported worldwide.
The dates here have the finest taste and supreme quality. You can find this market by walking a few distances from Masjid-e-Nabawi.
3. Masjid-an-Nabawi
Masjid-an-Nabawi is also a famous spot for the date’s purchases.
There are many stalls near this Mosque offering high-quality dates to the people. However, you must be aware of the date’s identity and check for the quality before buying the Madinah dates.
Buy Madinah Dates Online!
One of the convenient methods of buying Madinah dates without going there is to buy online. So, if you want to enjoy the unforgettable taste of the Madinah dates, you can check Amazon.
Indeed, dates are a healthy fruit you must include in your diet. You can replace the sugar with the dates and add-in recipes like smoothies, sweet dishes, smoothies, tea and anything which require sweetness.
However, if you are travelling to Madinah, you can definitely add dates to your buying list as this Arab’s city offers the world’s best dates. Hopefully, now you have enough information regarding the date’s history, types, and where you can buy the affordable and quality dates in Madinah.
Al Madina Center is a private institute specializing in teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers. The centre is based in the holy city of Madinah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We offer an intensive three-month program to train you in the best conditions in the Arabic language. Contact us for more info.
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