Saudi Arabia Dates (Ajwa, Mabroom, Sagai, Safawi, Khudri, etc)

The kingdom is now the world’s third-largest producer of dates, which have been cultivated and traded throughout the region since 7000 B.C. As vital to the economy as they are to the diet, it’s no wonder that the emblem of Saudi Arabia features a date palm set between two crossed swords. The 800,000 metric tons harvested each year must be hand-picked as each fruit matures. Once picked, the dates are allowed to ripen in four stages: kimri (unripe, green), khalal (full-size, crunchy, yellow), rutab (ripe, soft) and tamr (ripe, sun-dried, dark); they are enjoyed at every stage.