The Best Dates for Ramadan: A Guide for Iftar, Suhoor and Gifts

Every year the same question comes up before the fasting month: what are the best dates for Ramadan? The answer depends on when and how you eat them — one or two at iftar, as part of suhoor, for the moreh spread at the surau, or as a gift for family and friends. Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin around 8 February 2027, so now is a good time to plan.

In this guide we break down Ramadan dates by situation, using only the dates we actually stock at AlSultanFood. There is no single "right" variety — what matters is choosing dates your family enjoys and will finish.

Why dates are the centre of the Ramadan table

Breaking the fast with dates is a sunnah practised by Muslims all over the world. Dates are naturally sweet, a natural source of energy after a day of fasting, and need no cooking. They also keep well through the month, are easy to bring to the mosque and are made for sharing with guests.

The best dates for iftar

At iftar, most people prefer soft dates that are easy to chew. Three popular choices:

• Sukkari Rutab — from Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia. Very soft and sweet, for anyone who loves a caramel-like taste.
• AlShifa Honey Rutab — dark, moist and soft dates from Iran. Sold by the pack or carton, which makes a month's supply easy.
• Madinah Ajwa — soft, dark and moderately sweet. The choice of many who want to break their fast with dates from Madinah.

The best dates for suhoor

Suhoor is often a rush. Dates that are not sticky are easier to grab from a jar and eat with water or milk:

• Premium Mabroom — long, dry outside and soft inside. It does not stick to your fingers.
• Sukkari Mufattal — a drier Sukkari, still sweet but neat to keep in a container.
• Premium Safawi — dark, soft and dense. Also good blended with milk or added to a smoothie.

Dates for moreh, the surau and iftar events

If you are contributing dates for moreh or hosting an iftar, choose dates that give good value in larger quantities:

• Ajwa Mix AA & VIP 1kg — a blend of Ajwa sizes, good value for serving a crowd.
• Mariami dates in grade A or AA — moderately sweet and widely liked.
• 5-in-1 Mixed Dates Platter — five kinds of dates on one platter, an attractive centrepiece.

For bigger quantities — mosques, schools, companies or Ramadan bazaar traders — see Ramadan wholesale dates and message us on WhatsApp for a quote.

Dates for children during Ramadan

Children who are just learning to fast usually like soft dates that are not too big. Sukkari Rutab and Small or Medium Ajwa are easy to eat. For safety, remove the stone before giving dates to young children. Dates can also be chopped and stirred into oats or milk.

Dates for guests and Ramadan gifts

When you are hosting or sending a gift, presentation matters too. Large dates in a neat box make a good impression:

• Premium Medjool Gift Box — large and meaty, in Medium or Jumbo grade.
• Special Ramadan Gift Box, Ajwa & Medjool — two favourites in one box.
• Ajwa Gift Box 250g, 500g or 1kg — choose the size to suit the person.
• Ajwa Gift Box, 7 & 3 pieces — a small box that works as a token or door gift.

For a fuller present, see dates hampers — the Sunnah Gift Box Sets A to F combine dates with nuts, dried fruit and other items.

Frozen dates: a fresh choice for iftar

Some families love breaking their fast with chilled dates. Jumbo Frozen Dates from Egypt are kept frozen so their texture stays soft, and many people enjoy them after a short rest out of the freezer. They are also lovely blended with milk for an iftar drink. Because they must stay frozen, they ship within Peninsular Malaysia only — not to Sabah, Sarawak or Labuan.

Date ideas for iftar and suhoor

• Date milk — blend a few stoned dates with cold milk for a quick suhoor drink.
• Stuffed dates — split a Medjool, remove the stone and fill it with an almond or walnut for guests.
• Date oats — chop dates small and stir them into oats or porridge at suhoor.
• Desserts — slice dates over pudding, cake or ice cream after tarawih.

How many dates should you buy for Ramadan?

A simple way to estimate: count the people at home, decide how many dates each person eats at iftar and suhoor, then multiply by the number of days. Fruit size differs by variety and grade, so buy a little extra for guests and moreh. Many families buy two or three kinds — a soft one for iftar, a non-sticky one for suhoor and a gift box to give away.

How to store dates through Ramadan

• Keep them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight.
• Soft dates such as Rutab are best kept in the fridge once opened.
• Take out enough for a few days and keep the rest chilled so it stays fresh.
• Frozen dates must stay in the freezer. They are not shipped to Sabah, Sarawak or Labuan.

Tips for buying Ramadan dates online

1. 1Buy early. Demand rises before Ramadan, so ordering early gives you more choice of grades and sizes.
2. 2Combine your order for free delivery — a flat RM9, and free on orders from RM150.
3. 3Use the voucher SULTAN for 5% off with a minimum spend of RM100.
4. 4Check current prices on each product page, or read our dates price guide 2026.

Still unsure between varieties? Read Ajwa vs Medjool vs Sukkari or go straight to the Ajwa, Sukkari and Medjool pages.