• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Raising on Plants
  • Raising on Plants
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact Us
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Raising on Plants
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact Us
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Raising on Plants
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Contact Us
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Raising on Plants

    Deglet Noor Dates vs Medjool - Whats the difference?

    Publish Date May 24, 2023 · Updated: Jun 7, 2023 by Yasmin

    Deglet Noor and Medjool dates are two of the most popular varieties of dates. In this blog post we look at the main differences between the two, including appearance, taste, origin and nutritional values.

    Medjool and deglet noor dates scattered over a white background.

    Dates are one of the oldest cultivated fruits in the world. And they are a popular food enjoyed in many countries and cultures across the globe. Dates contain natural sugars, making them a preferred option by those wishing to avoid processed sugars such as cane, which is why you will find them used often in our recipes.

    Jump to:
    • The origin of dates.
    • What are Medjool dates?
    • What are Deglet Noor dates?
    • Are dates good for you? 
    • Deglet Noor Dates vs Medjool - Nutrition value comparison.
    • Whole dates vs pitted dates.
    • Where to buy dates?
    • What other varieties of dates are there?
    • How to eat dates?
    • How to store dates?
    • Date recipes
    • Comments

    The origin of dates.

    The scientific name for a date palm tree is PHOENIX DACTYLIFERA, which is ancient Greek. 'Phoenix' comes from a place between the Jordan Valley, and Meditteranean Sea called Phoenicia. Date palms grew abundantly here, and it was believed to be the homeland of the trees. And 'Dactyliferia' is a Greek word meaning 'finger bearing'. Which is reference to the appearance the dates take in clusters when growing on the date palms. 

    Interesting fact - There is fossil evidence that Dates go back as far as 50 million years. 

    The Date People

    What are Medjool dates?

    Medjool dates are the fruit of the Date Palm Tree. The Medjool cultivar (variety) of Date Palm is typically grown in many places throughout the middle east. 
    Medjools are characterized by their large size, elongated shape and deep brown colour. They are soft dates, with a chewy texture and have a caramel-like flavor. Medjool dates are native to Morocco, however, they are now grown in several countries, including the United States, Jordan, and Israel. In fact, Israel owns approximately 60% of the global market share of Medjool dates.

    Whole medjool dates scattered on a white background.

    They are known as 'The King of Dates', and are the most commonly eaten date all over the world. Medjool dates are definitely my families favorite. But there are many delicious date varieties to choose from. Morocco alone has 100+ varieties of dates, 45 of those varieties are in the south of the country. 

    What are Deglet Noor dates?

    Deglet Noor dates are grown on the Deglet cultivar of Date Palm Tree. The main differences between these and Medjool, are that they are smaller, lighter in colour - more amber than brown, and they are semi-dry in texture, making them soft but firm. Deglet dates are less sweet than Medjool, and also have a slightly nutty taste to them similar to browned butter or cashews. Despite these having less sugar, they are still a great and inexpensive way to satisfy a sweet tooth. 

    They are often referred to as the 'Queen of dates', and are native to Algeria. However these dates are also grown largely in southern California, most famously in Coachella Valley. 

    Scattered deglet noor dates on a white background.

    Are dates good for you? 

    Dates are a good choice for something sweet to eat, instead of reaching for a chocolate bar or candy.
    Because they are a whole food (not a processed food), the natural sugars in the dates also come with a wide range of vitamins and minerals to benefit your health. For instance, 100g of Medjool dates provides 40% of your recommended daily intake of Copper. Your body uses copper to carry out many important functions, including making energy, connective tissues, and blood vessels. Copper also helps to maintain the nervous and immune systems. And it also facilitates brain development.

    Dates also contain Vitamin B, Iron, Magnesium and Folate. Folate is essential, especially when growing babies, which makes dates a great food for pregnant women. 

    Dates also contain Antioxidants (specifically Phenolic Acid), which helps to strengthen your immune system. 

    Deglet Noor Dates vs Medjool - Nutrition value comparison.

    The nutritional value of the different varieties doesn't vary by much. But the difference between Medjool and Deglet Noor are listed below for comparison:

    MEDJOOL DATES 100g

    • Calories: 277
    • Carbs: 75 grams
    • Fiber: 7 grams
    • Protein: 2 grams
    • Potassium: 15% DV
    • Magnesium: 13% DV
    • Copper: 40% DV
    • Manganese: 13% DV
    • Iron: 5% DV
    • Folate: 15mcg
    • Vitamin B6: 15% DV

    DEGLET NOOR DATES 100g

    • Calories: 282
    • Carbs: 75 grams
    • Fiber: 8 grams
    • Protein: 2.5 grams
    • Potassium: 14% DV
    • Magnesium: 10% DV
    • Copper: 23% DV
    • Manganese: 11% DV
    • Iron: 6% DV
    • Folate: 19mcg
    • Vitamin B6: 10% DV

    Whole dates vs pitted dates.

    Whole dates are dates with the stone (or pit) still in the center. Whereas pitted dates have had the stones removed. Which makes them a convenient option for a snack on the go.

    Pitted and halved medjool dates.

    Where to buy dates?

    You'll find dates either in the dried fruit and nuts section, or by the fresh produce in grocery stores.

    You can also buy dates from almost all ethnic food stores, and any health food store. Larger superstores are likely to sell a variety of dates, whereas you may only get one type in smaller stores. Either way, as Medjool and Deglet Noor are the most popular dates, you will usually find one or the other. 
    And as always, you can find most things that you need online, although I do prefer to buy our dates from grocery stores. That way I can see the quality of them better in person before purchasing. I find that depending on the time of year, or the country of origin, some Medjool dates can be plumper than others. And we prefer plump and juicy dark brown Medjool dates, as they always have a more pronounced caramel flavor. Others can be a little lighter in colour, and slightly drier. Still delicious, but not as great when eaten fresh. 

    What other varieties of dates are there?

    As I mentioned earlier, in Morocco alone there are over 100 different types of dates. However, globally there are over 200 types of date. Which is pretty crazy! But what luck that we have so many options to choose from. 

    Other date varieties that you have most likely heard of before include Zahidi dates, Halawi dates, Barhi dates, and juicy Mazafati dates. 

    A stuffed medjool date with peanut butter.

    How to eat dates?

    Probably the most popular way to eat dates is by stuffing them. We stuff them with almond butter, then sprinkle over some cinnamon. Simple but soooo so tasty. You can also use other nut butters, cream cheese, goats cheese, or ricotta. Once you've stuffed them, you can also dip them in melted chocolate.

    We use them most often in our Chocolate Black Bean Smoothie, and our Vegan Date Brownies. I highly recommend you give these two recipes a try. Both use Medjool Dates.

    Another simple way to eat them is to make a date paste using a food processor. You can then use it in recipes as a natural sweetener, in place of maple syrup or other sugars. It's also great spread on toast and topped with banana. 

    How to store dates?

    Fresh dates have a shelf life of approximately 1 month. They are best stored in an airtight container, in a cool dry place. You can also store them in the fridge, if you do this they will be firmer and super chewy (aka delicious). 

    Date recipes

    • A pile of vegan date brownies.
      The best fudgy vegan date brownies - Gluten free
    • 9 vegan caramel slices cut in to squares, on a white sheet of greaseproof paper. Two slices have been turned on their side to show the layers within - the base, caramel filling, and chocolate topping.
      Vegan Caramel Slices
    • Pouring the smoothie in to a glass.
      Chocolate Black Bean Smoothie
    • A stack of gluten free pancakes, drizzled with cashew cream, maple syrup and topped with sliced nectarine, fresh blueberries and chopped walnuts.
      Easy, Fluffy, Banana Pancakes
    • A toddler eating strawberry vegan cheesecake.
      Raw Vegan Strawberry Cheesecake
    • A stack of pancakes, covered in fruit, with maple syrup being poured over.
      The best sweet & fluffy vegan pancakes with cream

    More Raising on Plants

    • Plant-Based vs Vegan: Explaining Common Dietary Terms.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Let us know what you think Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Browse a Category

    • Cakes and Muffins
    • Cookies
    • Brownies
    • Breakfast

    Welcome to my blog Raising on Plants!
    I'm Mummy to 3
    under 5... so I'm a little busy.
    If you’re a fan of cooking, baking and eating some healthy-ish food – you came to the right place.
    Here you will find delicious, plant focused, vegan & vegetarian recipes to help you nourish your family.

    Learn more about me

    Yasmin and her son walking down the street, handing hand.

    Healthy Dessert Recipes

    • Six chocolate coated banana lollies topped with sprinkles and flaked almonds.
      Frozen Banana Lollies - Easy, Healthy & Vegan
    • An overhead view of the whole batch of bars, on white parchment paper.
      Healthy Blueberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars
    • A bowl of baked oats, topped with extra fresh berries, coconut yoghurt, pumpkin seeds and maple syrup.
      Healthy Baked Oats with Berries
    • A babies hand reaching out to grab a single muffin.
      Healthy Chocolate Chip Banana and Lentil Muffins

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    • About Me
    • Subscribe
    • Search by Ingredient
    • Contact Us
    • Cookie Policy

    Copyright © 2020 Raising on Plants

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Do not sell my personal information.
    Cookie SettingsAccept
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT