What Are Halawi Dates? (Halawy)

Halawi — also spelled Halawy — literally means “sweet” in Arabic, and the variety earns the name. It’s a soft, amber-gold date of Iraqi origin with a flavor people describe as caramel and butterscotch with a hint of honey. A few Coachella Valley farms still grow it, and it has a quiet cult following.

Taste and texture

Halawi sits between the giants: smaller than Medjool, softer than Deglet Noor, with a chewy-tender texture and a warm caramel sweetness that’s rich without being heavy. It’s a favorite “eating date” — the kind you work through a pound of without noticing.

We grow these. Golden Zahidi Dates — Nutty, Less Sweet, Never Sticky | California Farm-Direct from our family farm in Sky Valley, California — from $15/lb, shipping included. See them →

Where Halawi grows

Originally from the date gardens of Iraq, Halawi came to California with the USDA’s early plant explorers and survives today on a handful of small Coachella Valley farms and farmers-market stands. It’s seldom stocked online, and when it is, supply runs out fast.

The honest note: we don’t grow Halawi

Our Sky Valley grove grows jumbo Medjool, golden Zahidi, and seasonal Barhi. If Halawi’s deep caramel is what you’re chasing, jumbo Medjool is the nearest match we grow — the same caramel register, bigger fruit, softer bite. If it’s Halawi’s lighter golden side you love, golden Zahidi carries that honey-nut character year-round.

From our grove instead

Farm-direct with shipping included to the lower 48: jumbo Medjool from $19/lb down to $9.83/lb by the box, and golden Zahidi. One harvest a year — this season’s fruit is selling now.

Desert Sun Dates is a family farm in Sky Valley, California. Curious about other varieties? See our guide to the different types of dates.