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Medjool too sweet for you? You’re not alone, and you don’t have to give up dates. Medjool is the candy of the date world: soft, sticky, caramel-rich. If a single one leaves you reaching for water, the date you want is a different one. It’s called Zahidi, and we grow it on our family farm in Sky Valley, California, in the Coachella Valley.
The short answer
Golden Zahidi is the milder date. It’s semi-dry, firm and chewy, with butterscotch and roasted-nut flavor instead of heavy caramel. Shop Golden Zahidi →
Golden Zahidi is the milder date. It’s semi-dry, firm and chewy, with butterscotch and roasted-nut flavor instead of heavy caramel. Shop Golden Zahidi →
Why Zahidi tastes less sweet
Zahidi is a semi-dry date. It carries less moisture than a Medjool, so the flavor is less syrupy and less intense. The old Arabic name points the same way: zahid is usually translated as “ascetic,” the date of modest sugar. What you taste is butterscotch, brown sugar, roasted nut and a little dried apricot, in a golden, chewy fruit that isn’t sticky on your fingers.
It is still a date, and still naturally sweet. It’s just a gentler sweet than Medjool. If you want the full background on the variety, read Zahidi dates: what they are and how they taste.
Zahidi and Medjool, side by side
| Golden Zahidi | Medjool | |
|---|---|---|
| Sweetness | Mild, butterscotch-like | Rich, caramel-sweet |
| Texture | Firm, semi-dry, chewy | Soft, moist, sticky |
| Color | Golden amber | Dark brown |
| Best for | Cheese boards, chopping, baking, savory dishes | Snacking, stuffing, date paste, smoothies |
For the full comparison, see Zahidi vs Medjool: a grower’s honest comparison.
How people eat a milder date
- With cheese. Firm Zahidi slices cleanly and sits well beside sharp or salty cheese. Our guide to dates for charcuterie boards shows how to cut and pair them.
- With nuts. Stuff with a walnut or almond, or chop into a handful of mixed nuts for an easy snack.
- In savory cooking. Grain salads, tagines, stuffing and roasted vegetables, where a very sweet date would take over.
- Chopped into oatmeal or yogurt. You get date flavor without the date overpowering the bowl.
- In baking. The pieces stay distinct instead of melting. See our Zahidi date bars and bread guide and the full recipe collection.
Who Zahidi is for
People tell us the same few things when they come to Zahidi. Medjool is “too rich.” One is enough. They’d like a date they can eat a few of without feeling it. Or they cook with dates and want pieces that hold their shape. If any of that sounds like you, start here. If you already love Medjool, keep it for snacking and stuffing, and add a box of Zahidi for the cheese board and the oven. Here is how to pick a good Medjool when you want one.
Grown here, hand-harvested, shipped fresh
Zahidi is an old Middle Eastern variety, and the Coachella Valley’s dry desert heat suits it. Ours are hand-harvested at the farm, with no sprays, and packed in sealed containers the week you order. You can see how the harvest works in how dates are harvested, and how we keep them fresh in our storage guide. Semi-dry dates keep well, and they freeze well too.
Orders ship within 3 business days, and shipping is included to the lower 48. Questions about delivery, freshness or returns? See the FAQ.
Quick answers
Are Zahidi dates sweet?
Yes, they are dates, but they’re noticeably milder than Medjool. The flavor is closer to butterscotch and roasted nuts than to caramel.
Are Zahidi dates soft?
They’re firm and chewy rather than soft and sticky. That’s why they chop cleanly and hold their shape when baked. Read more about semi-dry dates.
Can I try both?
Yes. The Baker’s Bundle pairs 4 lb of Medjool with 2 lb of Zahidi in one box, so you can taste the difference side by side.
Grown here, packed here. This season’s golden Zahidi, hand-harvested in Sky Valley, shipping included: Shop Golden Zahidi → · Baker’s Bundle $73 · Medjool · Send dates as a gift