Ask ten people in Pakistan for their favourite date and you'll get ten different answers — the soft, almost caramel Mabroom, the deep-sweet Mazafati that practically melts, the firm golden Zahidi most of us grew up with, or the Ajwa that comes out every Ramadan. "Khajoor" isn't one thing. It's a whole family of fruit, and once you know the differences, you stop buying by habit and start buying by what you actually want it for.

This is the full guide: the main varieties you'll find here, how they differ in taste and texture, which ones suit Ramadan, what the nutrition really looks like, and how to pick and store them so they don't dry out. You can see our complete range any time in the Dates collection.

The short version: which date for which job

• Breaking your fast / a quick energy lift: any soft date — Mabroom, Mazafati, or Sukkari.
• The Ramadan tradition: Ajwa, the date most associated with the Sunnah.
• Everyday use, cooking, stuffing: firm, affordable Zahidi or Sahreefa.
• Gifting or something special: large, glossy Medjool or premium Mabroom.

The main varieties you'll find in Pakistan

Dates split roughly into soft, semi-dry, and dry types. Here's how the popular ones actually compare — not marketing words, just what they're like to eat:

From this list we regularly stock Mabroom (Grade A, Saudi), Mazafati, Zahidi, and Sahreefa — plus a wider Saudi dates selection. Browse everything in the Dates collection.

Soft, semi-dry, or dry — why it matters

This is the thing most people never get told. A date's moisture level changes everything about how you use it. Soft dates (Mazafati, Sukkari, Medjool) are juicy and best eaten as-is or blended into shakes and desserts. Semi-dry dates (Mabroom, Ajwa) hold their shape, travel well, and are the easiest to gift. Dry dates (Zahidi) keep the longest, cost the least, and are what you want for cooking, stuffing, or grinding into date paste. None is "better" — they're just built for different jobs.

Which dates are best for Ramadan?

There's a good reason dates and Ramadan go together. After a long fast, your body wants fast, gentle energy, and a couple of dates with water gives exactly that without sitting heavy before Maghrib. Many Muslims also follow the tradition of opening the fast with an odd number of dates, and of eating Ajwa in particular, which carries special significance in the Sunnah.

For iftar, soft dates like Mazafati, Sukkari, or Mabroom are the easiest to reach for. For the tradition itself, Ajwa dates are the classic choice (we cover Ajwa's significance in detail in that guide). For sehri, a few dates with milk or yogurt give slow-release energy to carry you through the morning. If you're putting together Ramadan hampers, a mix of two or three varieties always lands well.

Dates nutrition: the honest picture

Dates are a genuinely good natural food — but they are also high in natural sugar, and it's only fair to say so. Per two medjool-sized dates (about 48g), based on USDA reference values, you're looking roughly at:

So: a great source of quick energy, fibre, and potassium, and a far better sweet fix than refined sugar or sweets. But because the sugar is concentrated, moderation matters — a few dates, not a fistful. If you're managing diabetes or watching blood sugar, treat dates as you would any sweet food and check with your doctor about what fits your plan. (This is general information, not medical advice.)

How to pick good dates

Quality varies a lot, so it pays to know what you're looking at:

• Look: good dates have a slight sheen and look plump, not shrivelled or cracked open and dried out (unless it's a naturally dry variety like Zahidi).
• Feel: soft dates should give gently to a squeeze. Rock-hard usually means old or poorly stored.
• Crystallised sugar: a little white sugar bloom on the surface is natural and harmless — it's the date's own sugar surfacing, not mould.
• Smell: fresh and sweet. A fermented or sour smell means they're past their best.

How to store dates so they last

Dates keep remarkably well. Dry varieties are happy in an airtight jar in a cool cupboard for months. Soft and semi-soft dates (Mazafati, Mabroom, Medjool) last longest in the fridge in a sealed container — important in Pakistan's heat, where soft dates left out can ferment. For very long storage, dates freeze well and thaw with no loss of taste. Always keep them sealed; like most dried fruit, they pick up fridge odours otherwise.

Dates make a genuinely good gift

A box of mixed premium dates is one of the most universally welcome gifts here — for Ramadan, Eid, weddings, or simply visiting someone. Large Medjool and glossy Mabroom photograph and present beautifully. Put a few varieties together in a dry fruit gift box and you've got something that feels thoughtful and premium without being fussy.

Why buy your dates from Khan Dry Fruits

• Freshness you can taste — we move stock fast and pack it sealed, so soft dates arrive moist, not dried out.
• Real variety — Mabroom, Mazafati, Zahidi, Sahreefa and more, so you can match the date to the occasion.
• Honest grading and live pricing — clear pack sizes, current rates, no surprises.
• Fast delivery across Pakistan — with packaging that protects soft dates in transit.
• Bulk, wedding & corporate orders — just ask us for rates.

Shop now: Browse all dates · Mabroom · Mazafati. Looking after a healthy snack routine? Dates pair perfectly with almonds — see our almonds buying guide. For bulk or corporate orders, email support@khandryfruit.com.

Frequently asked questions

Which date is best in Pakistan?

It depends what you want it for. Mabroom and Mazafati are favourites for everyday eating and iftar, Ajwa is the traditional Ramadan choice, Medjool is best for gifting, and Zahidi is the affordable everyday and cooking date. All are nutritious; pick by texture and occasion.

Which dates are best for Ramadan?

Soft dates like Mazafati, Sukkari, and Mabroom are easiest for breaking the fast at iftar, while Ajwa is the date most associated with the Sunnah. A few dates with water give gentle, fast energy after a long fast.

Are dates good for you despite the sugar?

Dates are a good natural source of fibre, potassium, and quick energy, and are a healthier sweet option than refined sugar. However, they are high in natural sugar, so they're best eaten in moderation — a few at a time. Anyone managing blood sugar should treat them like any sweet food and consult their doctor.

What is the difference between Ajwa, Mabroom, and Medjool?

Ajwa is soft, dark, and mild with strong religious significance; Mabroom is semi-soft, chewy, and toffee-sweet; Medjool is large, plump, and honey-sweet, prized for gifting. They differ mainly in size, softness, and sweetness.

How should I store dates?

Keep dry dates in an airtight jar in a cool cupboard. Store soft and semi-soft dates (Mazafati, Mabroom, Medjool) in a sealed container in the fridge, especially in hot weather, and freeze them for long-term storage.

Is sugar on the surface of dates a bad sign?

No. A light white bloom is the date's own natural sugar crystallising on the surface. It's harmless and is not mould — a fermented or sour smell, not surface sugar, is what indicates spoilage.