Dates season is from late summer to fall in the Northern Hemisphere. The exact dates season depends on the variety and growing region. Some dates are harvested as early as July, while others stay on the palm until October or November.
So, when are dates in season? The answer changes by country and date variety. In this guide, you can see the main date fruit season and harvest time for popular dates from Iran and other growing regions.
Date Harvest Calendar by Variety
The dates season changes by variety and growing region. Some best dates are ready in summer, while others are harvested in fall. This table shows when is date season exactly:
|
Date Variety |
Main Growing Area |
Usual Harvest Time |
|
Mazafati |
Kerman, Iran |
August |
|
Rabbi |
Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran |
August |
|
Sayer |
Khuzestan, Iran |
September |
|
Piarom |
Hormozgan, Iran |
September |
|
Zahedi |
Southern Iran |
September |
|
Kabkab |
Bushehr and Khuzestan, Iran |
September |
|
Shahani |
Fars, Iran |
August |
|
Medjool |
California, USA |
August to October |
The harvest months for major Iranian varieties can change by location and weather. Medjool harvest usually starts in August and ends by October.
Dates Season in Different Countries
The date fruit season changes from one country to another. Climate and location are the main reasons.
Dates Season in Australia
The main dates season in Australia is from February to April. In some areas, harvest can continue into June.
Dates Harvest Season in California
California grows popular varieties such as Medjool and Deglet Noor. Medjool dates are usually harvested from August to October.
Dates Season in Saudi Arabia
The season for dates in Saudi Arabia starts in summer. Fresh Rutab dates can appear from May or June. Fully ripe Tamar dates are mainly harvested from August to October.
Dates Season in Iran Iran
has many date varieties, so harvest time is different by region. Mazafati and Rabbi can be ready in August. Sayer, Piarom, Zahedi and Kabkab are harvested in September.
Date harvest times vary by region and variety: Iran harvests mainly from August to September, Saudi Arabia from May/June to October, California from August to October, and Australia from February to April.
When Are Dates Harvested?
Dates are usually harvested from late summer to fall in the Northern Hemisphere. The season can start in late July and continue until November.
Farmers know the exact time of ripeness for different dates and do not harvest every date at the same stage. The harvest time depends on the variety, climate, and desired ripeness.
Date Ripening Stages: Khalal, Rutab and Tamar When are dates ripe?
Dates pass through different stages before they become fully ripe. Here are some details:
Khalal
At the Khalal stage, dates are mature but still firm. They are usually yellow or red.
Rutab
At the Rutab stage, dates become softer, darker, and sweeter.
Tamar
Tamar is the fully ripe stage. The fruit has less moisture and usually has a brown or dark brown color. Dates at this stage can also stay fresh for longer.
Popular Date Varieties and Their Harvest Season
Each date variety has its own harvest time and date fruit season. Below, you can see the usual dates season for popular varieties such as Piarom, Mazafati, Rabbi, Sayer, Zahedi, and Medjool:
Piarom date
Piarom dates are mostly grown in southern parts of Iran and the harvesting time is in October. It has less moisture (less than 15%) and more flesh compared to other types of dates. Piarom date is long and slender and it has oval dates with thin skin. It is considered as one of the best semi-dried dates in the world.
Mazafati date
Mazafati dates price in iran is very reasonable, harvesting time depends on the region and starts in early August, lasting until the end of October. This type of date is the most common type of date for table eating and snacking. The color of fresh Mazafati dates range from dark brown to black. Kimia dates, which are also known as mazafati, are originally grown in Iran but they have been transferred to China and they are cultivated in there too.
Rabbi dates
Like other dates, Rabbi dates are harvested in the summer. Iranian Rabbi dates are harvested from July until the month of October. The color of Rabbi dates are originally dark brown to blackish. They have a thin skin, high juice, less moisture and a small seed.
Sayer dates
sayer dates fruit season is in September and could extended till October. The annual harvest of Persian sayer dates in Iran is about 100,000 MTons. The color of sayer dates are brown, although, some crops are light brown and some are dark brown based on the region and environmental factors you request for.
Zahedi dates
Iranian Zahedi dates are often harvested in late September. Which sometimes continues until early autumn. Zahedi dates are amongst semi-dried dates category and therefore, they easily fall to the ground near their harvesting time. Zahedi dates are considered as late ripening dates.
Medjool dates
Medjool date palms typically begin to bear fruit in April or May, and are ready for picking around late August to September. It produces 200 to 300 pounds of fruit per year, and it can be harvested multiple times throughout a dates fruit season, as the dates do not ripen all at once. Medjool dates are grown in Nevada, Morocco and North Africa. After the harvest from the date palms, Medjool dates get cleaned, sorted and packed right away.
Dates are harvested between July and November, progressing through three stages: firm Khalal, soft Rutab, and fully ripe Tamar. Harvest timing varies by variety: Rabbi and Mazafati typically start in summer, Sayer and Zahedi in September, while Medjool and Piarom are generally picked from late August through October.
Quality Iranian Dates in Kourosh Foods Company
The exact dates season can vary due to the type of date you are looking for. Each type of date has its own unique benefits and taste depending on the place and the season it has been harvested so don’t miss out and try each type of date fruits at least once. If you are looking for the best Iranian dates, visit our website and place your order.
FAQs
When are dates in season?
Dates are mainly in season from late summer to fall in the Northern Hemisphere. The season usually starts in late July and can continue until November.
Are dates seasonal?
Yes. Fresh dates are seasonal fruits. Dried and properly stored dates are available throughout the year. When are dates harvested? Most dates are harvested from late summer to fall. The exact time depends on the variety, country, and ripening stage.
When are Medjool dates in season?
Medjool dates are usually in season from late summer to fall. In California, the Medjool harvest starts in August and normally ends by October.
When are dates ripe?
Dates become ripe in three stages and you can eat them in every stage. Khalal dates are firm, Rutab dates are softer and sweeter, and Tamar dates are fully ripe with less moisture.
