People who type "Jenis2 Kurma" into a search bar usually want two answers at once: which types of dates are out there, and whether it is safe to order them without seeing them first. The honest answer to the second question changes with the first. Some dates are easy to judge from a product page. Others are worth a trip to a kedai kurma, at least the first time.
Start with how wet the date is
The most useful way to sort the numerous types of dates to choose from is by moisture. Wet dates have more water in the flesh and a shorter shelf life. Dry and semi-dry dates keep longer, which is why they have always been the ones exported in large volumes. That single difference tells you most of what you need to know about ordering online.
Mazafati from Bam in Iran sits at the wet end. Its water content runs from about 15% to 35% depending on when and where it was picked, and it is normally kept chilled or frozen. Deglet Noor from Tunisia and Algeria sits near the other end: semi-dry, golden yellow to light brown, chewy, with a light sweetness that does not stick to your fingers. Mariami, Safawi, Ajwa and Medjool fall in between as soft dates that are sold at room temperature in sealed packs.
Dates that are easy to buy online
Deglet Noor is the simplest. It is often sold still attached to the stalk, so a photo shows you exactly what you are getting, and a semi-dry date keeps better on the way to you than a wet one.
Mariami and Safawi are close behind. Both are graded mainly by size and how even the fruit is, so a listing that states the grade (A, AA or AAA) and the net weight already tells you most of the story. Mariami comes from Iran and is golden brown to dark brown with soft, meaty flesh and a caramel sweetness. Safawi is grown around Madinah, the same area as Ajwa, and is almost black with thick flesh and a moderate sweetness. If you want to know how Safawi tastes next to other dates, read that before choosing a grade.
Medjool is graded almost purely by size: Large, Jumbo, Super Jumbo. The fruit is big and soft, so the questions to ask are about packing. Is it boxed or loose in a bag? Our notes on Medjool texture and ripeness explain what a good box looks like.
Dates where a shop visit still helps
Ajwa is the one most buyers feel nervous about, and with reason. It is small to medium, black, with slightly wrinkled skin, and grades vary in size and price. Safawi is also dark and also from Madinah, so on a screen the two can look alike. If you have never handled Ajwa before, buying a small amount in person once gives you a reference point for every online order after that.
Wet Mazafati is the other case. Because it is kept cold, ask the seller how it travels and how quickly it reaches you. If they cannot say, buy it from a shop with a chiller.
A short checklist for ordering
When purchasing dates online, look for four things on the listing: the variety name, the country of origin, the grade, and the net weight. A listing that says only "premium imported dates" leaves out all four. Sellers who supply fresh and high-quality dates put these details up front, so missing details are worth a question before you pay.
Start small with a seller you have not used. One pack is enough to judge whether the grade matches the description. After that, a bulk order online can save you a round of shop visits. Our guide to saving time with an online kedai kurma covers the ordering side in more detail.