IRANIAN DATES

Based on archeological data, palm growing was common approximately 6000 years ago in Iran, close to the former Shoosh culture.
Palm was discovered in southern Iran during the Sassanidera period. The seventh century saw the growth of agriculture throughout Iran, with a wide variety of fruits, trees, and vegetables grown. As a result, fresh and dried fruits were sold from Esfahan to Asia Minor and India, as well as from Kerman to other nations.

Iran has more than 230 thousand hectares of date palm agriculture by the late 1990s. Iran, the world's top date producer, exported more than a million metric tons of dates to countries throughout the world in 2000.

Piarom, Zahedi, Sayer, Mazafati, Kabkab, Rotab, Rabbi, Kalooteh, and Shahabi are the most significant varieties of dates.
Rotab produces a wide range of dates, including industrial dates, semi-dry dates, dry dates, paste dates, and fresh, soft dates with a moisture content of 28%–33%.
Hormozgan (21.6%), Khusistan (17.6%), Bushehr (13.4%), Kerman (21.1%), Beluchestan (12.2%), and Fars (12.3%) are the principal producing regions of dates in Iran.

Sayer Dates:

Sayer date is semi dry with fewer than 16% moisture. Its color is light brown to red and high commercial value. 70-80% of palms in Khuzestan province are Sayer dates and it is one of the most important exporting types in south of Iran.Sayer date is very popular in Europe and North America because of its low cellulose content and high sugar. The size of Sayer date is divided to big, average and small. the harvest time is at the middle of September

Mazafati:

This type of Iranian dates is the most important type of economical dates, which are soft and wet with 15-35% moisture. These oval shape date are brown to black color. Mazzafati date grows in Kerman province (Bam, Jiroft, Kahnouj, Hajiabad,Tabas)This type of date is full of vitamin B and loaded with needed daily energy. Meanwhile, because of its black color it is popular in European countries. The size of Mazafati date is between 2.5 – 4.5 cm and the harvest time is at middle of August.

Piarom:

Piarom dates are one of the well known and most important in Hormozgan province. It is meaty and Semi-Dry with 15% moisture. The color of this unique date is dark brown.Piarom dates have thin skin and because of its low sugar it is acceptable for diabetic people. This type of date has a delicious product, which is called Chocolate Date, which has a very huge international market, and the best export dates in Iran. The size of Piarom date is between 4-6 cm and the harvest time is middle of September.

Zahedi:

Zahedi dates are one of the exquisite types of dates in Iran, mostly in Fars and Kerman province. These Iranian dates are dry and has fewer than 14% moisture. Zahedi dates are being mostly used in industrial purpose. It also has too much sugar and it shape is short about 3.5 cm, oval and thick.This yellow sweet Iranian date, which is the fruit in kharak stage, is attractive for Russia, Ukraine, India, Pakistan and UAE markets.The harvest time for this date is September but the product is available from October to March.

Kabkab:

Kabkab date is very popular in CIS, UAE and India and is planted in south of Iran such as Borazjan, Jahrom and Fars regions. This type of date is semi-dry and has fewer than 18% moisture.The color in kharak and rotab stages is yellow and after it become ripe its color turns to dark brown. Kabkab date is soft and sweet and is used for direct consumption, industrial purpose and also used in compressed type.The harvest time for this Iranian date is middle of September.

Rabbi:

Rabbi is one of the most important types of dates, which produced in Sistan and Baluchestan province. It is semi-dry and has fewer than 15% moisture. Iranian Rabbi date fruit, which prevent from cancer of digestive system is an appetizer, and also helps to relieve nervous tensions and treatments of diseases. He color of Rabbi date is dark brown and it shape is long, oval juicy with thin skin. The harvest time for this type of date is end of August continue for two month.

Shahabi:

Shahabi This type of date is very similar to Piarom date with 3-5 cm length. It is semi dry and has fewer than 15% moisture.This Iranian date is grown in Bushehr regions; the color of Shahabi date is light brown.