Zahedi date is also considered a semi-dry variety cultivated in Iran. It is also known as the elixir of youth for its great nutritional profile (including vitamins, proteins, iron, manganese, calcium, high fiber, low energy content, etc.). The ripen fruit is oval-shaped and yellow to light brown.

Some of its favorite characteristics include:
• Relatively low-calorie content
• Rich in fiber: a natural cure for digestive problems
• High in Iron
• Suitable for manufacturing alcohol and beverages
• Natural pain killer for its calcium: suitable for consumption after a heavy workout
• Natural fructose: suitable for diabetes

Description

Zahidi dates are medium sized and distinctively oval in shape. They have pale brown skin and a thick, golden inner flesh that surrounds a single seed. When compared to the Medjool which is often regarded as the standard in the date world, they have a considerably lower sugar content. Chewy, and semi-dry in texture, the Zahidi date has a mildly sweet, nutty and buttery flavor with a subtle tang reminiscent of dried apricots.
Zahidi dates are available in the fall and winter months.

The Zahidi date palm is in the family Arecaceae and botanically classified as Phoenix dactylifera. Of the three types of dates, dry, semi-dry and soft, the Zahidi is considered to be a semi-dry variety. It is sometimes known as the “butter date” for both its light flavor and pale tan color.
Zahidi dates are highly nutritious and a rich source of dietary fiber. They contain iron, potassium, B-vitamins, flavonoids, antioxidants and almost all twenty amino acids.

The firm chewy texture of the Zahidi make it a perfect baking date for recipes that call for date pieces. As a semi-soft variety, it maintains its structural integrity it cookies, cakes and breads. Its subtle sweetness lends it to both sweet and savory applications, or simply on its own as a raw snack.