Golden Zahidi Dates — Nutty, Less Sweet, Never Sticky | California Farm-Direct

Description

Zahidi dates — also spelled Zahedi (زاهدی), as Persian families know them — are hand-harvested on our family farm in the Coachella Valley of Southern California. Golden in colour, semi-dry in texture, and mildly sweet with a clean nutty finish, they are a firmer, less sticky alternative to the softer syrupy varieties.

Why choose our Zahidi dates

• Distinctive flavour: mild, lightly sweet, with a clean nutty finish.
• Firm, semi-dry texture: easy to chop, slice, stuff or toss into salads, with no sticky mess.
• Long shelf life: stores exceptionally well thanks to their lower moisture content.
• Grown without pesticides: naturally ripened in the desert sun. Not certified organic.
• Whole and unpitted: nothing added, nothing coated, one ingredient.

Perfect for every use

Zahidi dates shine on charcuterie boards, in salads, baked into breads and granola, stuffed with nuts or cheese, or chopped into trail mixes. Their firm texture makes them a kitchen workhorse, and their mild sweetness pairs beautifully with savoury ingredients.

Sizes and pricing

Boxes run from 1 lb to 12 lb, $15 to $88, with shipping included to the lower 48 — priced below our Medjool at every size. Nothing is added at checkout. The bigger the box, the less you pay per pound, down to $7.33/lb on the 12 lb. Alaska and Hawaii ship USPS Priority Mail, rated at checkout.

Shipping

Orders leave our Sky Valley, California farm within 3 business days, with typical transit of 2 to 5 business days. We pack and ship every order ourselves.

Storage

Store Zahidi dates in a cool, dry place for up to 3 months. Their firm texture and lower moisture make them especially storage-friendly. Refrigerate for up to 9 months, or freeze for up to a year.

Frequently asked questions

Are these dates pitted?
No. These are whole Zahidi dates with the pits intact, which preserves freshness and texture.

Are they organic?
They are grown without pesticides, but they are not USDA certified organic and we do not describe them as organic.

Why are my Zahidi dates firm or chewy?
Because that’s what a Zahidi is. It’s a semi-dry variety — lower moisture, firm golden flesh — cured on the palm, not a soft date like Medjool. Firmness is not a freshness problem; it’s the reason bakers choose them. If you’d like them softer, ten minutes in a warm oven (~200°F) or a brief steam relaxes them.

Are Zahidi and Zahedi the same date?
Yes — one variety, two spellings. Zahedi is the spelling Persian and Iraqi households use; the variety traces to Mesopotamia and remains an everyday staple from Baghdad to Tehran. The golden, semi-dry date we grow in California is that same date.

How do they ship?
Within 3 business days from our farm, shipping included to the lower 48, typically arriving in 2 to 5 business days.

Also from Desert Sun Dates

• Jumbo Medjool Dates — our most popular variety
• Zahidi vs Medjool — which to buy, from the farm that grows both
• Bulk & Wholesale Dates — 24 to 100 lb cases from $8.75/lb, shipping included
• Barhi Dates — seasonal, check availability
• What’s in stock today