Ajwa vs Medjool vs Sukkari Dates: Taste, Texture and Which to Choose

Ajwa, Medjool and Sukkari — these three names come up most often when Malaysians shop for dates. But what really is the difference in Ajwa vs Medjool vs Sukkari? All three are delicious, yet they differ in look, taste, texture and best use. This article compares them simply so you can choose with confidence.

The quick comparison

• Ajwa — from Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Almost black, medium-sized, soft and moderately sweet. Holds a special place in the sunnah.
• Medjool — large fruit with thick, soft flesh and a rich sweetness. A favourite for gifts and guests.
• Sukkari — from Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia. Golden to light brown and very sweet. Comes in two textures: Rutab (soft) and Mufattal (dry).

Ajwa dates: the meaningful date of Madinah

Ajwa dates come from Madinah. They are easy to recognise by their dark colour, slightly wrinkled skin and soft flesh. The taste is sweet without being overpowering, with notes of dried fruit and cocoa. For many Muslims Ajwa holds a special value because of its link to Madinah — a well-known hadith is narrated about eating seven Ajwa dates in the morning.

At AlSultanFood, Premium Madinah Ajwa comes in Small, Medium, Large and Jumbo grades, in packs from 150g to 1kg. For a family supply there is Ajwa Mix AA & VIP, and for gifting there are Ajwa gift boxes in 250g, 500g and 1kg. Learn more on the Ajwa dates page.

Best for: daily eating, iftar, meaningful gifts for family, and anyone who finds very sweet dates too much.

Medjool dates: large, meaty and luxurious

Medjool is often called the "king of dates" because of its size. One Medjool is much bigger than most other dates, with thick, soft and slightly sticky flesh. The taste is rich and sweet, reminiscent of caramel. Thanks to its looks, Medjool is the top choice for serving guests, hampers and corporate gifts.

We sell the Premium Medjool Gift Box in Medium and Jumbo grades, plus the Super Jumbo Medjool Gift Box for the very largest fruit. See the Medjool dates page for more.

Best for: gifts, guests, event platters and recipes such as stuffed dates.

Sukkari dates: as sweet as the name

The name Sukkari is linked to the Arabic word for sugar — and it is indeed one of the sweetest dates. Sukkari comes from the Al-Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. It is golden to light brown and comes in two forms:

• Sukkari Rutab — half-ripe, very soft and a little juicy, sweet like honey.
• Sukkari Mufattal — drier outside, soft inside and not sticky.

Read more on the Sukkari dates page.

Best for: sweet-tooth date lovers, children, everyday snacking and iftar.

Ajwa vs Medjool vs Sukkari: which for what

1. 1For everyday eating: Sukkari or Small/Medium Ajwa — tasty and better value.
2. 2For iftar: soft Sukkari Rutab, or Ajwa if you want dates from Madinah.
3. 3For gifts and guests: Medjool, for its impressive size and neat gift boxes.
4. 4For the office or school: Sukkari Mufattal, because it is not sticky.
5. 5For recipes: Medjool for stuffed dates; Sukkari Rutab or Ajwa for smoothies and desserts.

Which one is the sweetest?

In general, Sukkari is the sweetest, followed by Medjool, while Ajwa is milder. But taste is personal. Some people love Sukkari's sweetness; others prefer Ajwa's deeper flavour. The best way to find out is to try all three in small packs.

Does size mean quality?

No. Grades such as Small, Medium, Large and Jumbo describe fruit size only. Within the same variety, the taste is much the same. Larger grades look better as gifts, while smaller grades are better value for eating yourself.

How to enjoy Ajwa, Medjool and Sukkari

All three are delicious straight from the box, but each one has its own place in the kitchen:

• Ajwa — eaten with a glass of water or milk in the morning, or blended into a smoothie because it is not overly sweet.
• Medjool — split and filled with an almond, walnut or cream cheese. Its size makes any platter look generous.
• Sukkari Rutab — eaten cold from the fridge as a dessert, or chopped into oats.
• Sukkari Mufattal — packed in a small tub for the office, school or sports.

Look and size: the easy way to tell them apart

Put all three on the same plate and the differences are obvious. Ajwa is the darkest and moderately round. Medjool is the largest, reddish-brown with wrinkled skin. Sukkari is the lightest — golden or light brown — and more oval. These contrasts make it easy to arrange an attractive dates platter for guests.

How to store all three

• Keep them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
• Softer dates such as Sukkari Rutab and Medjool are best kept in the fridge once opened.
• Let chilled dates sit at room temperature for a few minutes before eating so they soften again.

Can't decide? Try them all

If you are still unsure, the Special Ramadan Gift Box, Ajwa & Medjool gives you two varieties in one box, and the 5-in-1 Mixed Dates Platter brings together five kinds of dates. To see other varieties such as Safawi, Mabroom and Mariami, visit the dates category. Current prices are on every product page, and you can also read our dates price guide 2026.

Delivery anywhere in Malaysia is a flat RM9 and free on orders from RM150. You can also collect your order in Seri Kembangan, Selangor.