Date Varieties
Safawi Dates: What We Know
Safawi is a dark, firm-textured Saudi date variety that has drawn research interest for its phenolic content. Here’s a clear, source-checked look at what has actually been measured.
Safawi is a Saudi date variety. In laboratory studies it had lower moisture than Sukkary and Medjool, and the highest phenolic concentration among the Saudi varieties tested in one 2024 study. No verified USDA entry or human health study was found, so this page makes no nutrition or health claims beyond those findings.
1.What Research Reports
- Moisture and size: in a study of Safawi, Sukkary and Medjool, Safawi had lower moisture than Sukkary and Medjool, and Medjool had higher fruit and flesh weights. All three were classed as semi-soft.
- Phenolics: Safawi had the highest phenolic concentration, 1132 µg/100 g dry weight, among the varieties tested in a Molecules 2024 study of Saudi dates at the Tamr stage.
- Date sugar research: Safawi, Ajwa, Sukkary and Medjool were compared as raw materials for date sugar in a University of Greenwich study, which reported different moisture reductions on drying (Ajwa about 55%, Safawi 58%, Sukkary 76%, Medjool 60%).
These are laboratory measurements of specific samples in published studies, not large-scale testing of every Safawi date sold commercially. A higher phenolic reading describes chemistry, not a proven health benefit in people. Results can vary with growing conditions, ripeness and processing.
2.How It Compares
| Safawi | Ajwa | |
|---|---|---|
| Named in hadith | No narration found | Yes |
| Moisture (as measured) | Lower than Sukkary and Medjool in one study | 22.8% in flesh in one study |
| USDA entry | Not found | Not found |
See Ajwa vs Safawi and Are Safawi dates healthy? for fuller detail on each comparison point.
3.Common Questions
Where do Safawi dates come from?
We did not find a verified origin statement in the sources we used. Sellers often describe Saudi origins, but this needs a citable source before it can be stated as fact here.
How many Safawi dates should I eat?
There is no variety-specific guidance. See how many dates to eat for general portion guidance that applies across varieties.
Sources
- Jaouhari Y et al. Molecules. 2024;29(19):4606.
- Gels 2023 study of Safawi, Sukkary and Medjool dates (PMC10297890).
- University of Greenwich, “Sweet flow: exploring the flowability, caking, morphology, and solubility of date sugars.”
- Khalid S et al. “Comparison of physico-chemical characteristics of date varieties.” J Anim Plant Sci. 2016;26(4).