Kalmi vs Medjool Dates: Taste, Size, Price and Which to Buy
Kalmi and Medjool are two of the most popular soft dates in Pakistan, and they often sit side by side on the same shelf. They are not the same date. Medjool is big, juicy and caramel-sweet; Kalmi is slimmer, a little firmer and less sweet, and it costs less per kilo. Here is how they compare on taste, size, calories and price, plus how Kalmi stacks up against Ajwa and Mabroom.
Prices below are for 1 kg packs, checked at three large online date sellers in Pakistan on 5 October 2026. They change with the season and usually rise before Ramzan.
Kalmi vs Medjool at a glance
| Kalmi (Safawi) | Medjool | |
|---|---|---|
| Comes from | Madinah, Saudi Arabia | Mostly Jordan and Palestine (the variety came from Morocco) |
| Looks | Long, dark brown to black | Very large and plump, with wrinkled amber to dark brown skin |
| Size | Medium, about 10 to 16 g | Large, about 18 to 25 g |
| Texture | Soft, but firm enough to hold a filling | Very soft, moist and juicy |
| Taste | Medium sweet | Rich, sweet and caramel-like |
| Calories per date | About 30 to 45 | About 50 to 70 |
| Price per kg | Rs 3,900 to 4,500 | Rs 5,000 to 7,400 |
| Best for | Everyday eating, iftar and stuffing | Gift boxes and big fillings |
Taste and texture
Medjool is so soft and moist it almost melts, with a deep caramel taste. One big Medjool is filling on its own.
Kalmi is soft too, but with a little more bite. It is medium sweet: sweeter than Mabroom but less sugary than Sukkari, so it is easy to eat a few. The skin is thin and dark, and the date stays in one piece when you split it open.
Size and calories
All dates have about 2.8 calories per gram, so the real difference between Kalmi and Medjool is size. A medium Kalmi of 10 to 16 g has about 30 to 45 calories. A large Medjool of about 24 g has about 66. Two Kalmi dates are roughly the same as one Medjool. See khajoor calories for every type.
Price: per kilo and per date
Medjool costs more per kilo, and because each date is bigger, you also get fewer dates in a kilo:
| Kalmi | Medjool | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per kg | Rs 3,900 to 4,500 | Rs 5,000 to 7,400 |
| Dates in 1 kg (approx.) | 60 to 100 | 40 to 55 |
| Price per date (approx.) | Rs 40 to 75 | Rs 90 to 185 |
So a Medjool usually costs more than twice as much per date as a Kalmi. For a showpiece gift that can be worth it; for daily eating, Kalmi gives you more dates for your money. Within each type, "jumbo" and "A++" grades cost more.
Which should you buy?
- For iftar and everyday eating: Kalmi. Soft, not too sweet, and better value per date.
- For a showpiece gift box: Medjool, because its size looks generous. Compare boxes in our dates gift box price guide.
- If you have a sweet tooth: Medjool.
- If you find dates too sweet: Kalmi, or Mabroom.
- For stuffing at home: either. Medjool takes a big filling; Kalmi holds a filling neatly and is easy to eat in one or two bites. Here is how to make chocolate dates.
Why every Date Pop date is a Kalmi
Kalmi is the date we use at Date Pop. It is soft enough to stuff by hand, holds a filling without splitting, and isn't so sweet that it fights the chocolate. We fill each one with something like kunafa and pistachio or roasted almond and dip it in chocolate.
A Kalmi date, stuffed with almond and dipped in dark chocolate
Kalmi vs Ajwa
Both come from Madinah. Ajwa is small, almost black and matte, with a slightly dry bite, and it is only mildly sweet. Kalmi is longer, softer and a little sweeter. Ajwa costs about Rs 3,800 to 5,300 a kilo, close to Kalmi, but it is the date most families buy for Ramzan and for elders because of its place in Islamic tradition. For an elder, choose Ajwa; for everyday snacking, Kalmi.
Kalmi vs Mabroom
Both are long Madinah dates. Mabroom is slimmer, reddish brown and chewy, with a light caramel taste, and it is less sweet than Kalmi. Kalmi is darker and softer. Mabroom costs about Rs 3,200 to 5,500 a kilo. Pick Mabroom if you find most dates too sweet, and Kalmi if you want a softer bite.
Medjool vs Ajwa
These two are opposites. Medjool is large, juicy and caramel-sweet; Ajwa is small, dark and mild. A kilo of Medjool costs more (Rs 5,000 to 7,400, against Rs 3,800 to 5,300 for Ajwa), and because Ajwa dates are small you get many more of them in a kilo. Choose Ajwa for Ramzan and for elders, and Medjool when you want a date that feels like dessert.
Comparing more types? Our guide to khajoor types in Pakistan covers Sukkari, Amber, Irani, Aseel and more.
Quick answers
Which is better, Kalmi or Medjool?
Neither is better; they suit different uses. Medjool is bigger, juicier and sweeter. Kalmi is a little firmer, less sweet and costs less per date, which makes it the better everyday date.
Is Kalmi the same as Safawi?
In Pakistan they are usually sold as the same long, dark, soft date. Some sellers list them separately, so check the photo and description.
Is Kalmi the same as Ajwa?
No. Ajwa is smaller, almost black and milder in taste.
Where do Medjool dates come from?
The variety came from Morocco. Most Medjool sold in Pakistan is imported from Jordan and Palestine.
How many calories are in one Medjool date?
About 66 for a 24 g date. A Kalmi date has about 30 to 45, depending on its size.
What is the price of Kalmi dates in Pakistan?
About Rs 3,900 to 4,500 a kilo in October 2026, depending on size and grade.
What is the price of Medjool dates in Pakistan?
About Rs 5,000 to 7,400 a kilo in October 2026. Jumbo grades cost the most.
Does Date Pop sell plain Kalmi dates?
No. We only sell Kalmi dates stuffed by hand and coated in chocolate. See every flavour in our chocolate stuffed dates.
