Iranian date varieties for export buyers

An importer who orders “Iranian dates” without a grade name is ordering a surprise. The four grades Sevin Nakhl is asked for most often look and behave differently. Knowing the difference is the first quality check.

Mazafati, the soft Bam date

Mazafati is dark, short and fleshy. The skin looks moist. It is the grade people mean when they say Bam dates. It suits retail boxes and buyers who want a soft bite. It also needs a liner and a transit plan that respect that moisture.

Rabbi, darker and drier

Rabbi comes from the south-east, around Iranshahr and Saravan. The fruit is long, semi-dry and wrinkled, from deep brown to near black. It is not glossy. Buyers who need the date to keep its shape pick Rabbi, not Mazafati.

Zahedi, the light one

Zahedi is oval and golden to light brown. It is firmer than Mazafati and nowhere near black. Markets that want a semi-dry date with a clean color ask for Zahedi by name.

Kabkab, large and amber

Kabkab is a southern grade, associated with Bushehr and nearby date country. Ready fruit is large, thick and amber to caramel. Unripe yellow fruit on the tree is not the product that ships.

Other grades exist. Sevin Nakhl quotes them under their own names. A photo of one grade is never used to sell another.