Khajur, also written khajoor, is called dates in English. It is the sweet fruit of the date palm, eaten fresh, semi-dry or dried. Popular types in India include Mazafati, Ajwa, Medjool and Kalmi. Most soft dates give roughly 280 calories per 100 g.
People look up khajur in English when they read a recipe or a nutrition label and need the right word. The answer is simple, but the fruit comes in very different types, and the one you pick changes the taste, the texture and the use. This page covers the name, the varieties we sell, nutrition, storage and a few uses.
Khajur in English
Khajur (Hindi), khajoor (Urdu and Hindi), kharjura (Sanskrit) and khajur (Marathi) all refer to the date. In English it is a date, from the date palm, a tree that has been grown across West Asia and North Africa for thousands of years. The fruit is picked at different stages, so you will see it sold fresh, soft, semi-dry and fully dry. Dried and dehydrated dates are usually called chuara or chhuhara in Indian markets.
Date palms prefer hot, dry climates, and large crops come from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Algeria, Iraq, Pakistan and the UAE. India grows dates too, mainly in Gujarat and Rajasthan, but a large share of the dates sold in India are imported.
Khajoor varieties compared
The table lists the dates we sell and how they differ in the kitchen. Look at the product page for current pack sizes and price.
| Variety | Texture and size | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Mazafati dates (Kimia) | Soft, moist, medium, dark brown | Everyday eating, shakes |
| Ajwa dates | Small, black, firm yet yielding | Gifting, special occasions |
| Medjool dates | Large, very soft, caramel-like | Stuffing, desserts |
| Kalmi (sold by us as Kalmi / Safawi) | Dark, rich, semi-dry | Snacking, cooking |
Mazafati is a soft date grown in Iran and widely sold as Kimia dates. Ajwa is a small black date traditionally associated with Madinah. Medjool is large and sweet. Kalmi is a dark date, popular among those who like a chewier bite. The prices differ a lot between them, so rates vary by variety, size and pack. Check the product page for the current price.
Khajoor nutrition
Dates are a dense source of energy. Most soft dates provide about 280 calories per 100 g, around 75 g of carbohydrate, mostly natural sugar, and 6 to 7 g of fibre. They also contain potassium and magnesium, and very little fat. These are general figures from food composition tables, not lab tests of our own stock, and they vary by type and moisture.
- Per date: a medium soft date is roughly 20 to 70 calories depending on size. For an exact Medjool figure, see our note on calories in 1 Medjool date.
- Sugar: dates are naturally sweet and still count as sugar in your day.
- Fibre: useful, but not a replacement for vegetables and whole grains.
People with diabetes or prediabetes should ask their doctor or dietitian about dates. Our notes on can diabetics eat dates and Kimia dates and blood sugar explain the general picture.
Khajoor in pregnancy
In many Indian families, dates are eaten in pregnancy, and they are a common snack in the last weeks. Dates are a normal food and, for most people, eating a few is fine. They are also high in sugar, so portion size matters, particularly if blood sugar is a concern. Please ask your doctor or dietitian how many dates suit you during pregnancy, and follow their advice over any general guidance, including ours.
Khajoor in festivals and fasting
Dates have a place in many traditions. During Ramadan, Muslims commonly break the fast with dates and water. Ajwa dates are held in particular regard in Islamic tradition. In India, dates also appear in Diwali and wedding gift boxes, in navratri and ekadashi fasting food where dates are allowed, and as a naturally sweet snack for children. Because pack sizes and prices change through the year, check our product pages before you plan a large gift order.
Cooking with khajoor
- Date paste: soak pitted dates in warm water, then blend for a sweetener in cakes, chutney and laddoos.
- Shakes: two or three dates blend into milk or banana shakes in place of sugar.
- Khajur-imli chutney: cook dates with tamarind and jaggery for chaat.
- Stuffed dates: fill pitted dates with almonds, walnuts or cream cheese.
- Natural sugar: dried and ground dates are sold as dates sugar, used in place of white sugar in tea and baking.
Storage and shelf life
Soft, moist dates such as Mazafati keep best in the fridge in an airtight box. Semi-dry dates such as Ajwa and Kalmi can sit in a cool, dry cupboard in an airtight container for longer. If you see white crystals on dates, that is usually sugar rising to the surface, which is harmless, but a sour smell or mould means throw them away. See also how long Ajwa khajoor lasts.
How to choose good khajoor
Whatever type you buy, a few checks help you judge quality before you commit to a big pack.
- Skin: smooth and glossy for soft dates, slightly wrinkled for semi-dry ones. Torn or sticky skin often means rough handling.
- Smell: sweet and fruity. A sour, fermented or musty smell means the dates are past their best.
- Size: the pack should be of even size. Mixed sizes are fine for cooking but less so for gifting.
- Pits: most dates are sold with the pit. Pitted dates are convenient, but check the pack says so and compare weights on a pitted basis.
- Pack: a sealed pack or box protects dates from dust and moisture. Buy the amount you will finish within a few weeks.
Buying khajoor
We sell dates on AlphonsoMango.in, run by Powle Home Foods in Mumbai, with 47,000+ customers across online, offline and marketplace sales. You can browse the full dates and khajoor collection or go straight to Mazafati dates, Ajwa dates, Medjool dates or Kalmi dates. Choose by use: soft and moist for eating, firmer for gifting and cooking.
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People also ask
What is khajur called in English?
Khajur, also written khajoor, is called dates in English. The fruit grows on the date palm, Phoenix dactylifera, and is sold fresh, soft or dried. Popular types in India include Mazafati, Ajwa, Medjool and Kalmi, each with its own size, texture and level of sweetness.
What is khajur fruit good for?
Khajur is eaten as a quick source of energy, as a natural sweetener and as a source of fibre, potassium and magnesium. It is calorie dense, so keep portions modest. If you have diabetes, a kidney condition or are pregnant, please ask your doctor or dietitian how many dates suit you.
Which khajoor is best, Ajwa or Mazafati?
Neither is best for everyone. Mazafati is soft, moist and mild, suited to everyday eating and shakes. Ajwa is small, black and firm, often chosen for gifting and special occasions. Pick by texture and use, and check each product page for the current price.
How many khajur can I eat in a day?
Two to four dates is a common serving for most healthy adults, usually as a snack or in place of refined sugar. Dates are sweet and calorie dense, so more is not always better. People with diabetes or other conditions should ask their doctor or dietitian for a suitable amount.
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Written by Prashant Powle, founder of AlphonsoMango.in. Last reviewed October 2026.