Dates (khejur, khajoor)
When the sun sets during Ramadan, the first thing many families eat is a date. Khajoor in Urdu, khejur in Bengali, hurma in Turkish: the sweet fruit of the date palm earns its place in the… 12 Products
12 of 12 products
View
Dates (khejur, khajoor)
When the sun sets during Ramadan, the first thing many families eat is a date. Khajoor in Urdu, khejur in Bengali, hurma in Turkish: the sweet fruit of the date palm earns its place in the pantry all year round, and especially in the month of fasting.
Our range runs from large, soft Medjool dates to Saudi, Khalas and Dubai dates, plus fresh Iranian dates with very juicy flesh. For everyday snacking there are dried dates and Salambo Suntat nane dates, and for baking and sweetening we have date paste and date syrup. A Bengali speciality worth knowing is khejurer patali gur, also called nolen gur: solid jaggery made from date palm sap, used in winter for payesh and pitha.
We've gathered everything for the fasting month on our Ramadan and iftar page. Dates are also the key ingredient in sheer khurma. Browse the full range in sweets.
Choosing and storing dates
- Soft or firm? Medjool and Iranian dates are soft and caramel-like, while Saudi and Khalas dates are firmer and less sticky, which makes them easy to carry around.
- Storage: fresh, soft dates belong in the fridge. Dried dates keep for several months in an airtight tin somewhere cool and dry.
- Stuffed dates: slit them lengthways, remove the stone and fill with almonds, walnuts or cream cheese for a quick iftar bite.
- For sweetening: stir date syrup into milkshakes, porridge or salad dressings, and use date paste in biscuits or ma'amoul.
Grate patali gur into warm milk or a pot of payesh. Turkish favourites like helva and tahini, which go wonderfully with dates, are on our Turkish groceries page.
Frequently asked questions
Which dates are the softest?
Medjool and fresh Iranian dates are especially soft, juicy and caramel-like. Saudi and Khalas dates are a little firmer. Soft varieties are ideal for stuffing or desserts, while firmer ones travel better in a bag or lunchbox.
What is khejurer patali gur?
It's a solid jaggery from Bengal, made by boiling down the sap of the date palm. It has a smoky, caramel flavour and is traditionally used in winter for payesh, pitha and sandesh. You grate it or break it into pieces.
Do dates need to go in the fridge?
Fresh, soft dates such as Iranian or Medjool are best kept chilled. Dried dates are fine without a fridge as long as they're airtight, cool and dry, although in summer the fridge helps them stay fresh for longer.
How many dates do I need for Ramadan?
Many people break their fast with one to three dates. For two people, roughly one to two kilos will see you through the month, depending on guests and baking. Larger packs are practical for families.