Ever wondered why two dates of the same variety can look noticeably different in size?
Dates are a natural fruit, so no two are exactly alike. Once harvested, they can be sorted into different size groups to give buyers a clearer idea of what they are getting. The photos below show the A+, A, B and C size grading used for these batches.
An important note: A+, A, B and C are not a single universal grading standard used identically by every date grower in the world. Exact size cut-offs can vary by farm, supplier, variety and harvest. The photographs are the best way to see the relative difference in the grading used for our supply.
What do A+, A, B and C mean?
In simple terms, the grading shown here separates the dates by their relative size within that variety and batch.
| Grade | Typical position in the batch | Sold by us? |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | The largest, most generously sized dates selected from the batch. | Yes |
| A | Large dates, just below A+ in the size sorting. | Yes |
| B | A smaller or medium size group within the same grading system. | No |
| C | The smallest size group shown in this grading system. | No |
So what do we actually sell?
At Salahuddin Dates, our retail dates are selected from A+ and A grades only.
We choose the top two size groups because we want customers to receive a consistently generous date with the premium presentation we expect from our range. We do not sell the B or C size groups shown in these comparisons as part of our standard retail date selection.
That does not mean a smaller date is automatically a bad date. Size grading is primarily about size and presentation. It should not be treated as a direct measure of nutrition, sweetness or flavour on its own. Variety, ripeness, growing conditions, harvest and storage all matter too.
Why can A+ look different from one variety to another?
This is where date grading can sometimes be confusing. Different date varieties naturally have different shapes, colours, skin textures and proportions. An A+ date from one variety therefore does not have to be identical in length or width to an A+ date from another variety.
The most useful comparison is within the same variety and batch. A+ represents the larger end of that particular crop, followed by A, then the smaller B and C groups.
What this means when you order from us
When you order our plain dates, you are buying from the A+ and A selection, rather than the smaller B and C grades shown above. There will always be some natural variation because dates are grown, not manufactured, but the grading gives us another way to be selective about what reaches our customers.
We think customers should be able to see the difference for themselves rather than simply being told that a date is "premium". These photographs show exactly why size grading matters and what we mean when we describe our dates as A+ or A grade.
