What is Barhi dates?

Question

TasteAtlas · Accepted Answer

Barhi dates are a type of date fruit from Iraq that is small, round to oval, with curved and blunt edges, often with a stem still attached. They are considered one of the sweetest types of dates and can be consumed in all stages of ripeness: yellow and semi-ripe or khalal, fully ripe or rutab, and dried, wrinkled, and dark brown or tamr. The semi-ripe barhi dates are sweet, slightly astringent, and crisp. They are eaten fresh and are available only for a few weeks in August and September in markets in select dry and hot climates. As barhi dates mature and turn amber and brown, they become more dry, sticky, and creamy and now classify as rutab and tamr. They are used to prepare jams, spreads, pastes, shakes, and desserts. The name comes from the Arab word barh, which translates to hot wind, aptly chosen since hot winds that blow through Basra, Iraq, help dates to ripen.