Sukari dates are another Saudi variety, but come from a different region. They come straight from the Saudi kingdom’s agricultural region. Qassim is also known as the ‘valley of fruits’. Very different from the farms we know in Europe, Saudi farms consist of oases and palm groves.
Date palms thrive at their heart, with shrubs and other plants such as pomegranate trees, grapevines and citrus trees growing beneath them. This carefully planned ecosystem allows a distinctive date variety to flourish among the region’s trees. The variety from this part of central Arabia is called the sukari date.
Sukari dates: a taste of honey on your lips
French-speaking community marketing has memorably described the Qassim date as follows : ‘The sweet that grows on trees’. This nickname is carefully chosen and suits it perfectly. So much so that, when the blessed month arrives, the sukari date is preferred to the Algerian deglet nour date which is enjoyed all year round.
The desire to try a different flavour of this dried fruit is very understandable. In fact, it is often the first box opened to enjoy iftar.
As you chew them, you immediately notice small granules of natural sugar. They unfold and melt beautifully in the mouth and on the tongue.
Interest is so strong that French supermarkets are now starting to sell them. However, community online shops anticipated this trend and still offer them at lower prices. After all, a network with more than ten years of experience does not disappear overnight.
A staple food in Saudi Arabia
Date consumption differs between hot desert climates and temperate regions. European palates, however, appreciate them as a particularly generous and enjoyable treat.
This date is a little more delicate than the other varieties on our website and has fine flesh that is easily pierced. It is therefore best held gently between the fingers before eating. It is part of the everyday diet and is enjoyed with camel milk.
A gesture of respect for guests
Small and fleshy, this light-brown date has a name that means “the sweet one” in Arabic. If you welcome guests into your home, serving sukari dates is a true honour and a sign of hospitality.
In France, Muslims particularly appreciate dates from Arabia. Very different from Maghrebi dates in shape and taste, they are seen as a food from far away.
However, the reverse is also true in Middle Eastern countries, where consumers enjoy tasting dates from abroad.
Sukari dates in distinctive, unusual packaging
While we are used to buying dates in cardboard boxes, sukari dates come in oval plastic packaging. It resembles an anchovy container. The dates are arranged in a circle inside the box. This particular arrangement reflects the structure of this date variety.
This packaging was designed to keep the dates neatly arranged and stored in the fridge. Since the sukari date is a fresh berry, it should be kept cold to fully appreciate its flavour. Remember to close the lid properly to prevent other smells from getting into the box.
Ramadan: the favourite season for Qassim dates
From the month before Ramadan, sukari dates start arriving in France. Outside the blessed month, demand is lower, although some boxes wait in cold rooms and freezers. During Ramadan, the sukari date is certainly a star attraction. It has been filling the shelves for more than ten years.
Their price has also fallen thanks to increased import volumes. Contacts and relationships built with Saudi companies have helped make this product more accessible too. These moist dried fruits require an unbroken cold chain. They cannot be left unrefrigerated for more than a week.
Unless you plan to eat them within that short time. Available in different weights and sizes, they are now sold in individual or family packs.