Khajoor Buying Guide: How to Pick Good, Fresh Dates

Quick answer: Good khajoor should be plump and glossy with a little give when you press it, with skin that is wrinkled but not cracked, and a sweet smell, not a sour one. Skip dates that are rock hard, sticky with oozing syrup, dusty white on the skin, or that come in torn, unsealed packs.

Khajoor is also called dates in English. It is khajur in Hindi and khejur in Bengali. Large, soft Medjool dates are often sold as "king of dates." Winter is when most Indian homes start buying khajoor again, for khajoor milk, ladoos and a quick sweet after meals. So here is how to pick a good pack and keep it fresh.

What should good quality khajoor look like?

Start with your eyes. A good date tells you a lot before you even open the pack.

• Colour: even, rich brown to deep amber. Medjool dates are usually a darker reddish brown.
• Skin: soft wrinkles are normal and fine. Deep cracks, split skin or broken pieces mean old or roughly handled stock.
• Shine: a light natural gloss is good. A thick wet coating can mean added syrup.
• Size: dates in one pack should be roughly the same size. A mix of big and tiny pieces often means mixed grades.

How do you check if dates are fresh?

If you can, feel and smell them. Fresh dates are soft and slightly chewy, and the flesh springs back a little when pressed. Very hard, dry dates are old. A sour, alcoholic or fermented smell means the sugar has started to spoil, so leave that pack on the shelf.

Watch out for white powder on the skin. Sometimes it is just natural sugar coming to the surface, which is harmless. But if you see fuzzy spots, webbing or tiny holes, the dates have mould or insects and should not be eaten.

Khajoor vs chuwara: which one should you buy?

Both come from the same fruit, but they are used differently.

If you want a soft snack, pick khajoor. If you want something that lasts for months, our Kala Chuwara (black dried dates) is the better buy.

What should you check on the pack?

• Packing date: buy the newest stock you can find.
• Ingredients: it should say only dates. No added sugar syrup, colour or glucose.
• Seal: the pack should be airtight, with no tears or pin holes.
• FSSAI licence number: always look for it on any packed food.

At ODM Masala we handpick our dry fruits and pack them with no artificial colours, no fillers and no preservatives, so what you see is just the fruit.

How should you store khajoor at home?

Dates are high in natural sugar, so heat and moisture are their biggest enemies.

• Move them to a clean, dry, airtight glass or steel jar once opened.
• For daily use over a couple of weeks, a cool, dark kitchen shelf is fine.
• For longer storage, or in hot and humid weather, keep the jar in the fridge.
• Always use a dry spoon or clean hands. Water inside the jar invites mould.
• If dates from the fridge feel firm, leave them at room temperature for a few minutes before eating.

Want ideas for eating them? Read our guide on how to eat khajoor and swap out sugar, or pair them with anjeer for a simple winter dry fruit mix.

FAQ

Is white coating on dates safe?

A thin, dry white layer is usually natural sugar that has crystallised on the skin and is safe. Fuzzy, cottony or green spots are mould, so throw those dates away.

Should khajoor be kept in the fridge?

It is not a must for short use, but the fridge keeps dates fresh much longer, especially in summer and the monsoon. Store them in an airtight jar so they don't dry out or pick up smells.

Why are some dates hard and dry?

Hard dates are usually old stock or were stored in dry heat. They are often still fine to use in milk or cooking, but for eating as a snack, choose soft, plump dates.

If you want soft, handpicked dates for this winter, try our ODM Medjool Dates (Khajoor).