Dates are a staple of Turkish and Middle Eastern cooking – with tea, for breaking the fast in Ramadan or at breakfast. This guide explains the best-known date varieties, how Medjool, Ajwa and Jerusalem dates differ, what dates are called in Turkish and German, and how to store them.
The best-known date varieties
| Variety | Origin | In short |
|---|---|---|
| Medjool | Originally Morocco, now grown in many countries | Large, soft and fleshy with a caramel-like taste. → WeNatur Medjool Dates 1 kg |
| Jerusalem dates (Kudüs hurması) | Region around Jerusalem | Named after their growing region; large and soft, very popular in Türkiye. → WeNatur Jerusalem Dates 1000 g |
| Ajwa | Medina (Saudi Arabia) | Small, dark to almost black, with a drier texture. |
| Deglet Nour | Tunisia, Algeria | Semi-dry and light amber – the variety most often found in German supermarkets. |
| Mazafati | Iran | Dark and very soft; usually kept in the fridge. |
How to eat dates
- As a snack with tea or for iftar
- At breakfast with muesli and yoghurt, or in smoothies and baking
- Pitted and stuffed with walnuts, almonds or tahini
- As syrup: Zühre Ana Date Syrup (Hurma Özü) 350 ml
For larger households there is the Medjool Dates 5 kg pack. More dried fruit and nuts: Nuts and our guide Kuruyemiş – Turkish Nuts and Dried Fruit.
How to store dates
Keep dates in a cool, dry place in a closed container. Soft varieties such as Medjool stay fresh longer in the fridge once opened; eat an opened pack within about 2 weeks. Dates can also be frozen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are dates called in Turkish and German?
In Turkish a date is hurma; in German Dattel (plural Datteln). Date syrup is hurma özü in Turkish and Dattelsirup in German.
Are Medjool and Jerusalem dates the same?
Both are large, soft dates. Medjool is a variety name, while Jerusalem dates are named after their growing region.
Where can I buy Medjool dates in Germany?
The WeNatur online shop offers Medjool dates in 1 kg and 5 kg packs and Jerusalem dates 1000 g, with delivery to Germany.
More guides
- Menemen recipe
- What is pekmez?
- Turkish sweets
- Turkish nuts & dried fruit
- Turkish olives
- Turkish tea & tea varieties
- Turşu: Turkish pickles
- Tropical fruits list
- Tahini & nut butters
- Rosemary oil & rosemary water
- How to store garlic
- What is propolis?
- Turkish cheese varieties
- Turkish salça: pepper & tomato paste
- What is sucuk?
- Turkish foods in German – glossary
