There are over 3000 varieties of dates cultivated worldwide. Date cultivation dates back over 7000 years, making it one of the oldest domesticated plants by humans.
Some of the most well-known dates in the world and Iran are as follows:
- Ajwa Dates: Soft and dry, with a very sweet taste, grown in the city of Medina in Saudi Arabia.
- Ambera Dates: Grown in Medina, Saudi Arabia, they are large in size and very popular in the country.
- Barhi Dates: Yellow in color with a soft texture, originating from Iraq.
- Dayri Dates: Sweet in taste with a soft texture, medium to large in size, and dark brown or black in color.
- Deglet Noor Dates: A semi-dry date with a sweet taste, known as the true date flavor worldwide. It has a crispy texture and is highly popular in Arab countries.
- Halawy Dates: Soft and delicate texture, very sweet, brown in color, and small to medium in size.
- Hayani Dates: Grown in Egypt.
- Zahedi Dates: Semi-dry variety with a sweet taste, light brown in color, and oval in shape.
- Piarom Dates: One of the most expensive dates in Iran, a semi-dry and late-ripening variety, mostly cultivated in Hormozgan province.
- Ghanta Dates: Also known as Gantar or Ghanari dates. It has a semi-dry texture and brown color.
- Mazafati Dates: Considered one of the most delicious dates in the world, it has a black color.
- Estamran Dates: Cultivated in Iran, it is a semi-dry variety with high sugar content.
- Kabkab Dates: Mostly cultivated in Behbahan, it has a high syrup content and a thicker skin than other dates.
- Rabbi Dates: One of the most famous dates in Sistan and Baluchestan province. It has a reddish-black color, high shelf life due to low moisture content, and a wrinkled and elongated appearance.
- Khasui Dates: One of the finest dates with high shelf life. It is small in size, resembling okra, and is mostly cultivated in Khuzestan province.
6 Major Date Exporting Provinces:
- Bushehr Province: Kabkab and Zahidi dates
- Kerman Province: Mazafati and Kalute dates
- Hormozgan Province: Piarom and Khasui dates
- Fars Province: Zahidi and Shahany dates
- Sistan and Baluchestan Province: Rabbi and Mazafati dates
- Khuzestan Province: Sayer or Estamran dates
Date Types by Moisture Content:
- Rutab:
- Dates with syrup:
- Semi-dry dates:
- Dry dates:
Piarom dates:
Dates are known as black gold in the world and are even considered sacred in some religions. In traditional medicine, Piarom dates are considered the best type of dates. This type of date is late-ripening and semi-dry. Its high nutritional value has made it a valuable, expensive, and export-oriented date.
Cultivation areas:
Piarom dates grow in tropical areas of Iran, and a large part of them are cultivated in Hajiabad County, Hormozgan Province. Due to the favorable climate of this region, the best type of Piarom in Iran is produced in this region.
Other top producers of Piarom include Ber آفتاب Village, Sistan and Baluchestan, Dehestan, Bushehr, Jahrom, and Khuzestan.
Other names:
Piarom dates have other names such as Maryami or chocolate dates.
Price:
The price of Piarom dates varies depending on the region where they are grown. Piarom dates in Hajiabad are expensive, high-quality, and dark in color. Due to their dark color, they are called black Piarom and have a stronger taste. In contrast, Piarom dates in other regions are called golden Piarom and have a milder taste than black Piarom. Therefore, the properties of this type of date vary depending on the region. Piarom dates with a darker color have a higher price and value.
Size and color:
Piarom dates are 2.5 to 5.5 centimeters in size and range in color from light brown to dark brown and almost black.
Market:
Piarom has a very good market and has so far attracted the attention of global markets.
Specifications:
- Thin skin
- Dark brown color
- Fleshy texture
- Fructose sugar
- High nutritional value
Harvest:
The harvest of this type of date starts in early September and continues until late November.
Other name in Khuzestan:
In Khuzestan province, this type of date is called Deyri.
Types of Piarom:
- Hajiabad Piarom (Black): The most desirable type of Piarom, with a strong taste, darker color, and higher price
- Golden Piarom: Milder taste, lighter color, and lower price
- Piarom from other regions: With different qualities and prices
Additional Information:
- Nutritional value:
- Rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber
- Excellent source of energy
- Helps improve digestion
- Strengthens the immune system
- And …
- Uses:
- Fresh
- In making various cakes and pastries
- In cooking
- And …
- Tips:
- Piarom dates can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer.
- Bring frozen dates to room temperature before consumption.
Types of Piarom Dates:
- Pitted Piarom: The pits of these dates are removed manually or mechanically. They are no different from other Piarom dates except for their higher price due to their quality.
- Cheap or Pistachio Piarom: This type of date has the lowest quality. It has a thicker skin, darker color, and no flesh, but it tastes sweet.
- Ordinary Piarom: This type of Piarom is of medium quality. It has a thin skin and a medium color.
- Skeleton Piarom: This is a high-quality type of Piarom date. It is similar in quality and size to the super skeleton date, but has a slightly thicker skin.
- Super Skeleton Piarom: This is the best type of Piarom date. It has a thin skin and a dark color. The flesh of the super skeleton Piarom is soft and delicate, and its taste is sweet.
Cultivation:
This type of date is propagated by planting offshoots. Due to the cooler climate of the regions where Piarom dates are grown, it takes longer for them to bear fruit. After fruiting, in late winter and early spring, the Piarom tree clusters must be pollinated like other date trees.
Important Properties of Piarom Dates:
- Plays an important role in treating infertility
- Controls diabetes
- Treats and strengthens the nervous system
- Increases body energy
- Improves the function of the digestive system
- Controls and reduces cholesterol
Zahidi Dates:
- The shape of this fruit is elongated oval and its tip is completely narrow and pointed.
- It is yellow at the Kharek stage, light brown at the Rutab stage, and brown to reddish-brown to light yellow at the date stage.
- Zahidi dates are classified as dry dates.
Cultivation areas:
- Qir and Karzin County, Farashband, Jahrom County, Dashtestan, Khesht District of Fars Province, Firoozabad County, Larestan County, Bushehr Province, Ahvaz and Khorramshahr
- It is also cultivated in Iraq and the United States.
- The highest production is in Qir and Karzin County, the best type of which is in a region called Ali Abad village.
Properties of Zahidi Dates:
- Harvesting starts in late September and continues until early autumn.
- Its quality varies depending on the place and conditions of harvesting, and the best type is chocolate-colored.
- There is no need to keep Zahidi dates in the refrigerator.
- Zahidi dates have low moisture content and can be stored for up to 3 years.
- The sugar in Zahidi dates is fructose, which not only does not cause blood sugar to rise, but is also helpful for weight loss.
- This date contains cataloid, which makes it easier to absorb vitamins and antioxidants.
- This date has a warm nature.
- The manganese in this type of date soothes the nerves.
- Zahidi dates contain fiber.
- It is rich in iron and is recommended for anemia.
Zahidi dates are also known as Qasab dates.
Qasab dates or Zahidi dates, which are called Zahdi in Arabic.
Khaasui Dates:
Khaasui dates are one of the most desirable dates in the Bushehr region, but they are not as abundant as other dates. Khaasui dates are light brown to orange in color, almost round, and have wrinkled skin.
Types of Khaasui Dates:
Initially, all three types below are the same and are actually mixed. The characteristics of the small or nutty date are that the skin is attached to the flesh of the date, it has less moisture, and it has a special texture.
- Khaasui Rutab: This type of Khaasui date is more watery and has a wonderful taste.
- Khaasui Dates with Syrup: This type of Khaasui is very popular and is more easily accessible.
- Semi-dry (Small) Khaasui Dates: This type of date has less moisture than the other two types and is without syrup. Small Khaasui is also known as nutty dates. Overall, it can be said that the highest quality Khaasui dates are the small or nutty Khaasui dates.
Properties of Khaasui Dates:
All types of Khaasui dates have many benefits for the body. These include:
- Helping the digestive system
- A suitable substitute for sugar
- Providing energy for the body
- Heart and brain health
- Strengthening sexual power
- Rich in antioxidants
- Providing minerals
How to store Khaasui Dates:
Khaasui Rutab must be stored in the freezer and can be kept for one year. Khaasui dates with syrup should not be stored in the refrigerator if possible. To become syrupy, it should be kept at a relatively warm temperature for the first 2 months. Therefore, room temperature is suitable for storing it and it can be consumed for up to one year. To store dry, small or nutty Khaasui dates, it is better to keep them in the freezer and take them out and store them in the refrigerator for a few weeks.
Khaasui Dates Cultivation Areas:
Most of the areas where Khaasui dates are cultivated are mountainous and on the slopes of mountains. This date is more common in the cities of Jam, Kangan, Farashband, Firoozabad and Qir and Karzin. But from the past, Bushehr province has been known as one of the main centers of production of this date.
Khaasui Dates Classification:
In the classification of dates, Khaasui dates are classified as moist dates because a lot of syrup comes out of the inner structure of this date. The special taste of this date has made it very popular among people because its taste is similar to that of Piarom. This type of date is wet and full of syrup. If it is placed in a container for 3 to 4 hours, it will be soaked in its own syrup. In the city of Bushehr, this date is also called Khaas Date.
