There's a customer we meet often: someone who has tried dates, found them overwhelmingly sweet, and concluded dates aren't for them.
They've usually tried Medjool.
Mabroom is the answer to that problem. It's the one variety in our range that isn't trying to be dessert — slender, firm, subtly sweet, and genuinely different from everything else on the shelf.
What Makes Mabroom Different
Mabroom comes from Saudi Arabia and has a profile unlike any other date we stock:
- Shape: long, slender and tapering — narrow rather than plump
- Colour: deep reddish-brown to dark chocolate
- Type: soft-dry, with a firmer body than most varieties
- Texture: chewy with real resistance — it takes a moment to eat
- Taste: distinctly less sugary than other dates, with subtler, more restrained flavour
That last point is the whole story. Where Medjool is caramel and Safawi is rich sweetness, Mabroom is understated. It tastes like fruit rather than confectionery.
Who Mabroom Is For
People who find dates too sweet. The most common reason customers come back for Mabroom specifically.
Anyone watching their sugar intake. Less sugary taste doesn't mean sugar-free — it's still a date — but the subtler sweetness makes it easier to stop at two or three.
People who like texture. Mabroom's firmness means it's a proper chew, not something that dissolves. If you find soft dates slightly cloying in the mouth, this solves it.
As a workday snack. Firm, not sticky, doesn't squash in a bag. Our own product page calls it a quick snack, and that's accurate — Mabroom travels better than almost any other variety.
People who already like Ajwa. Similar restraint in the sweetness, different texture entirely.
What Mabroom Offers Nutritionally
Dates are nutritionally similar across varieties, and Mabroom is no exception. What it offers is what all good dates offer:
- Dietary fibre, which supports digestion and slows the absorption of natural sugars
- Potassium, magnesium and iron, useful minerals in a hot climate
- Natural energy released more gradually than refined sweets, thanks to that fibre
- Naturally fat-free and cholesterol-free, like all dates
Being straight with you: Mabroom is a nutritious whole food. It is not a treatment for any illness, and we're not going to suggest otherwise. If you see sweeping health claims attached to dates anywhere online, treat them with scepticism — including claims about serious diseases. The honest case for dates is that they're a good food, which is enough.
On sugar: dates carry a glycemic index of roughly 50, which is lower than most people expect given the sugar content, because the fibre slows absorption. Mabroom's less-sweet taste is about flavour profile rather than a dramatically different sugar figure. If you're managing diabetes, portion size still matters — speak to your doctor, and see our guide to how many dates to eat a day.
How Mabroom Compares
| Mabroom | Medjool | Safawi | Ajwa | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shape | Long, slender | Large, plump | Oval | Small, round |
| Texture | Firm, chewy | Moist, fudgy | Soft | Soft, dry |
| Sweetness | Subtle | Intense | Rich | Mild |
| Best for | Less-sweet preference | Dessert, guests | Daily iftar | Morning practice |
If Medjool is the extrovert of the range, Mabroom is the quiet one — and some people much prefer that.
How to Use Mabroom
- As a snack on its own — its firmness makes two or three genuinely satisfying
- With coffee — the subtler sweetness doesn't fight a strong black coffee the way sweeter dates do
- In a work bag or lunchbox — doesn't squash or go sticky
- Breaking fast — gentler on the palate if you find sweet dates overwhelming at iftar
- With cheese — the restrained sweetness works on a cheese board where Medjool would dominate
- Stuffed with nuts — the firm flesh holds a whole almond well
Less suited to: date paste and blending. Mabroom's lower moisture means it doesn't purée as smoothly as Medjool. For baking, use Medjool instead.
Sizes and Value
Mabroom is available in 400g, 500g, 800g and 1kg.
A tip worth knowing: the 1kg jar at RM75.00 is the best value in the range by a clear margin — it's the same price as the 800g container. If you're buying more than 500g, go straight to the 1kg.
Storage
Mabroom's soft-dry character makes it one of the more forgiving varieties in Malaysian humidity:
- Keep sealed, cool and out of direct sunlight
- Refrigerate anything you won't finish within a few weeks
- Freezes well for long-term storage
- White surface bloom is crystallised natural sugar, not mould
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Mabroom dates less sweet than other dates? In taste, yes — noticeably. That's their defining characteristic. They still contain natural sugar like any date, but the flavour is far more restrained.
Where do Mabroom dates come from? Saudi Arabia.
Why are Mabroom dates more expensive per kilo than Mariami or Safawi? Lower production volume and a more specialised market. The 1kg jar brings the per-kilo price down considerably.
Are Mabroom dates good for diabetics? Dates have a moderate glycemic index and research in people with type 2 diabetes has been reassuring at moderate portions. The less-sweet taste doesn't make Mabroom a low-sugar food. Ask your doctor.
Can I use Mabroom in baking? You can, but it's not the best choice — it's drier and firmer than Medjool, so it doesn't blend as smoothly. Use it whole or chopped rather than as paste.
How do I tell Mabroom from other dates? The shape. Nothing else in our range is that long and slim.
For a less sugary date
Shop Mabroom Dates at Mahnaz Food →
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Dates are naturally high in sugar. If you are managing diabetes or another health condition, speak to your doctor or dietitian about portion sizes.