Types of Dates in India: How to Choose Between Kimia, Kalmi, Ajwa, Medjool, Fard and Zahidi

Open any dry-fruit shop or shopping app and you will see a long list of names for what looks like the same fruit: Kimia, Mazafati, Kalmi, Safawi, Ajwa, Medjool, Fard, Zahidi. Taste, texture and price vary a lot between them. This guide explains the six varieties most commonly sold in India, how they differ, and how to pick the right one for snacking, cooking, guests or gifting.

The short answer: there is no single "best" date – choose by texture and use. Pick Kimia for very soft, moist dates; Kalmi (Safawi) for long, chewy dates; Medjool for large dates to stuff or serve; Ajwa for small, dark dates with a mild sweetness; Fard for soft everyday dates; and Zahidi for firm, less sticky dates that travel and chop well.

The difference that matters most: soft, semi-dry and dry dates

Before comparing names, it helps to know how dates are grouped. Researchers classify date fruits by moisture: soft dates have more than 30% moisture, semi-dry dates 20–30%, and dry dates less than 20% (Scientific Reports, 2020).

In everyday terms:

• Soft dates (such as Kimia) are moist and sticky and almost melt in the mouth. They mash and blend easily.
• Semi-dry dates (such as Zahidi) are firmer and less sticky. They hold their shape when chopped and are easier to carry.
• Many varieties sit in between. The same variety can also be softer or firmer depending on ripeness, harvest and storage, so treat these groups as a guide, not a rule.

Six popular date varieties at a glance

Variety	Also called	Look	Texture	Taste	Good for
Kimia	Mazafati	Medium, deep brown to almost black	Very soft, moist, thin skin	Rich, caramel-like	Everyday eating, desserts, smoothies
Kalmi	Safawi	Long, dark brown	Soft, slightly chewy	Rich	Everyday eating, stuffing, guests
Medjool	Medjoul	Large, amber to dark brown	Soft, fleshy, slightly chewy	Deep, caramel-like	Stuffing, serving, gifting
Ajwa	–	Small to medium, very dark	Soft to slightly dry	Mild	Serving, gifting, Ramadan
Fard	Omani Fard	Medium, deep amber	Between soft and semi-dry	Mild, rich	Everyday eating, cooking
Zahidi	Golden dates	Medium, golden	Semi-dry, firm	Mild, nutty	Lunch boxes, travel, chopping

The six varieties explained

Kimia (Mazafati): the soft, dark everyday date

Kimia is the name widely used in India for the Mazafati variety, which is grown mainly in southern Iran, around Bam and Jiroft (Wikipedia: Mazafati). It is one of the softest dates you can buy: dark, moist, thin-skinned and richly sweet. Because the flesh is so soft, Kimia is easy to eat straight from the pack and blends well into smoothies, ladoos and bakes.

Kalmi (Safawi): long and chewy

Kalmi is the name commonly used in India for the Safawi variety. Kalmi dates are long and dark brown, softer than semi-dry dates but chewier than Kimia. That slightly firmer bite makes them a good choice for stuffing with an almond or walnut, and for serving to guests.

Medjool (Medjoul): the large date

Medjool – also spelt Medjoul – is best known for its size. A single Medjool date is noticeably larger and more fleshy than most varieties, with a soft, slightly chewy texture and a deep sweetness. The size is what makes it the classic stuffing date and a common choice for gift boxes. It also tends to be one of the pricier varieties.

Ajwa: small, dark and mild

Ajwa is a variety closely associated with Medina in Saudi Arabia, where it is widely grown (Wikipedia: Ajwa). The dates are small to medium and very dark, with a mild sweetness and a texture that is soft to slightly dry. Many families value Ajwa for its cultural and religious significance, and it is a popular choice during Ramadan and for gifting.

Fard: soft, amber and easy-going

Fard is one of Oman's best-known varieties, and our Fard dates come from Oman. They are deep amber, soft enough to enjoy on their own and firm enough to chop, with a mild, rich sweetness. Fard is a practical everyday date for snacking and cooking.

Zahidi: golden and firm

Zahidi dates are golden, semi-dry and firm, with a mild, nutty sweetness. They are less sticky than soft dates, so they are easy to carry, pack in a lunch box or chop into chutneys and baking. Our Zahidi dates are a product of Iraq, as printed on the pack.

Kalmi vs Kimia dates: which should you buy?

These two are often confused because both are dark and soft. The differences are easy to spot once you know them:

• Shape: Kalmi is long and slender; Kimia is shorter.
• Texture: Kimia is softer and moister; Kalmi has more chew.
• Use: Kimia is easier to mash or blend; Kalmi holds a filling better.

Choose Kimia if you want a melt-in-the-mouth date for everyday eating or desserts. Choose Kalmi if you prefer a chewier date or want to stuff them. Comparing Kimia with Medjool instead? Read our Kimia vs Medjool guide.

How to choose dates for what you need

• Daily snacking with tea or after meals: Kimia or Fard.
• Lunch boxes, travel and the office drawer: Zahidi – it is the least sticky.
• Stuffing with nuts or nut butter: Medjool for size, or Kalmi for a chewy bite.
• Cooking: soft Kimia and Fard mash easily for ladoos, barfi and smoothies; Zahidi chops neatly. Try our khajur barfi recipe or date and coconut ladoo.
• Guests and gifting: Medjool or Ajwa on their own, or a box with several varieties. See our guide to the best dates for gifting in India.
• Still deciding? Try several side by side. The 4-in-1 Combo Pack has Kimia, Zahidi, Kalmi and Fard.

What to check on the pack

Whichever variety you choose, the label tells you more than the name does:

• Ingredients: a pack of plain dates should list only the dates. The ingredient lists on our Kimia, Kalmi, Fard and Zahidi packs contain the dates and nothing else.
• Added sugar vs total sugar: dates are naturally sweet and high in sugar. Our Kimia, Kalmi, Fard and Zahidi labels show 60–73 g total sugars per 100 g – all from the fruit itself – and 0 g added sugars. "No added sugar" means nothing was added; it does not mean the fruit is low in sugar.
• Country of origin: many varieties are grown in more than one country, so the variety name alone does not tell you where a pack comes from. Look for the origin printed on the pack.
• Packaging: soft dates crush easily. A rigid tub protects them better than a thin pouch.
• Storage instructions and best-before date: follow what is printed on the pack.

How to store dates

Keep dates in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, and close the container well after use. Our packs of soft varieties such as Kimia, Kalmi and Fard recommend refrigerating after opening to keep them moist; our Zahidi pack says to store it at room temperature. For long storage, the University of California's postharvest centre advises keeping dates in a moisture-proof container in the freezer, which keeps their quality better than the fridge – and because dates are so high in sugar, freezing does not spoil their texture (UC Davis Postharvest Center). For more detail – including how long dates keep and what white spots mean – read our guide to storing dates.

Dates in other forms

If you enjoy dates but want a ready-to-eat sweet, our Dateable Bites are date and dry-fruit bites with no refined sugar – sweetened only with dates and honey.

Frequently asked questions

Are Kimia and Mazafati dates the same?

Yes. Kimia is a name used in India for the Mazafati variety, so you will see both names on packs and in shops.

Are Kalmi and Safawi dates the same?

Yes. Kalmi is the name commonly used in India for the Safawi variety.

Which date variety is the softest?

Of the six in this guide, Kimia is usually the softest and moistest. Medjool and Kalmi are soft but chewier, Fard sits in the middle, and Zahidi is the firmest.

Which dates are best for gifting?

Medjool and Ajwa are the most popular choices on their own. A box with several varieties lets people taste and compare – see our five-variety Gift Box.

Do plain dates contain added sugar?

Not if the ingredient list shows only dates. Check the label: it should show 0 g added sugars. Remember that dates are still naturally high in sugar.

Which dates are best for cooking?

Soft dates such as Kimia and Fard are easiest to mash, blend or turn into date paste. Firmer Zahidi dates are better when you want neat, chopped pieces.

Find the date that suits you

Choosing dates is mostly about texture and how you plan to eat them. Soft Kimia and Fard suit everyday eating and cooking, chewy Kalmi and large Medjool suit stuffing and serving, Ajwa is a favourite for Ramadan and gifting, and firm Zahidi is the easy one to carry. If you are unsure, buy two or three varieties and taste them side by side.

Explore all our date varieties →

Want to compare four at once? Try the 4-in-1 Combo Pack.

Sources

• "Dietary fiber components, microstructure, and texture of date fruits (Phoenix dactylifera L.)". Scientific Reports 10, 2020. nature.com
• UC Davis Postharvest Research and Extension Center. "What is the recommended method of storing dates in my home?" postharvest.ucdavis.edu
• Wikipedia: Mazafati; Ajwa (date)
• Aladdin Dates product labels (Kimia, Kalmi, Fard, Zahidi): ingredients, nutrition per 100 g, origin and storage text.