Dates Market Abu Dhabi: Types, Hours

People visit Abu Dhabi for its grand architecture and luxurious attractions and to experience the local culture, food, and customs. They visit Abu Dhabi to immerse themselves in the native lifestyle and mix in with the locals. This is why tourists are usually very excited about trying authentic delicacies and regional cuisines. They especially love dry fruit and dates, the jewel of the Middle East.

Tourists are eager to shop around for dates. They love to take back dates as gifts or for their personal use. This is not surprising since dates of the Middle East are famous worldwide. Dates can be bought at markets that can be found all around Abu Dhabi. Visiting these marketplaces is an experience that allows you to learn about local food, culture, and history. They also offer a chance to connect with the natives and interact with them while bargaining.

Imagine you are walking through rows of stalls, each overfilled with dates. The sweet aroma of the dates fills the air and you taste this luscious fruit from stalls. Sounds amazing, right? So you must visit the Dates Market if you ever go to UAE. As you explore the market, you will taste different types of dates, learn about their significance in Arab culture, and pick up some tips to accentuate the flavor of the dates. Read ahead to learn more about these amazing Date Markets in Abu Dhabi. 

Importance of Dates Market

Dates are rooted in Middle Eastern cultures and these Date Markets highlight how much locals value their heritage. The tradition of date cultivation and consumption goes back centuries right into the heart of the ancient Bedouin customs. People have been growing and eating dates for thousands of years in this region. When you go to these markets, you will learn about the role played by dates in enhancing the cuisines and daily life of the locals.

In addition, as the UAE is a Muslim country, dates also have religious significance. The Prophet (PBUH) enjoyed dates and often had them for his meals. He encouraged his companions to enjoy them too. Consequently, the Muslim Middle Eastern countries prides themselves on cultivating and enjoying a wide variety of dates.

Lastly, dates have numerous health benefits including improved digestion and better immunity, etc. They are rich in nutrients and their regular consumption can prevent diseases. Plus they contain fiber, antioxidants, and phytonutrients, that are great for the human body and gut. To sum up, Dates hold a paramount place in Middle Eastern culture as it has traditional, religious, and medical significance for the locals.

What Should You Do at the Dates Market?

You can do the following 4 activities at the Dates Market:

1. Shopping:

In the market, you will shop for tasty dates for yourself and your family back home in the market. You can ask the vendors for suggestions as they are experts when it comes to dates and are more than happy to help customers. You can also ask other native customers for help.

We suggest you buy dates in beautifully decorated boxes as gifts for your relatives. Shopkeepers are happy to pack dates in jars or plastic bags if you tell them you are flying back by airplane. Passengers are allowed to travel with jars and plastic bags filled with dates by most airlines. 

2. Sampling:

Sample as many types of dates as you want in the Dates Market. This is one of the most attractive features of these markets. You just simply need to go from one stall to another and vendors will offer their dates to taste. The vendors are proud of their date-selling business. They pridefully offer date samples to tourists because they are proud of their heritage. 

You can also ask for a taste if for some reason the vendor does not offer the sample because tasting is considered standard before buying in these markets. You will be stuffed by the time you successfully buy dates for your family. 

3. Cultural Insights:

Talking with the vendors and other customers will provide you with cultural insights and allow you to get a feel for the local traditions. You can ask vendors questions about dates and their cultivation process. They will be happy to introduce different species of dates and share invaluable knowledge with you. Their dedication to their profession will compel you to appreciate their hard work. Basically, you will be learning something new while shopping in the hustle and bustle of the market.

4. Cooking Tips:

Dates can be eaten as they are. You can also incorporate them in different cuisines. Arab cuisine integrates dates into bread, drinks, biscuits, and all kinds of desserts. You can do the same, add dates to your desserts. This will help reduce the amount of sugar you add to your dessert because dates are naturally sweet.

You should ask the vendors what is the best way to enjoy dates. Many tourists like to add dates to their charcuterie boards or make a thick date syrup that goes on top of pancakes and other desserts. Some people also enjoy date milkshakes and dates in savory dishes. These cooking tips will help you cook and enjoy dates in different forms. 

How to Buy Dates at the Dates Markets?

To buy dates at the Dates Markets, you must do some background research, ask locals for help, taste dates, and bargain. 5 tips to buy dates are discussed in detail ahead.

Do Some Research:

You should explore the web and do some research to find the best species of dates before you go shopping. You can also look up famous date brands. Tourists should never go to date markets unprepared.

You should read reviews online and make a list of dates you want to try when you go to the market. Otherwise, you will get overwhelmed and confused by the vast types of dates available. You may return empty-handed if you don’t do proper research.

Ask locals for Help:

You can also ask local customers and vendors for help. They will be very happy to guide you. You can describe your preference to them and they will introduce the appropriate species of dates to you. This will allow you to interact with natives and learn about their heritage and culture. 

Additionally, you can ask your hotel guide for suggestions. Many hotels send a local guide with tourists to help them navigate the crowded and busy markets. The guide will probably direct you to authentic stalls with premium dates if you ask him for help. 

Sample Dates:

You need to sample as many dates as possible. Only by tasing the date you can tell for sure whether you like it or not.  So with an open heart and mind, try and sample different dates. Some dates will be sweet, some bitter, and some may be nutty.  Vendors will happily allow you to taste their dates. When you find a date you enjoy, you will have found the perfect date for you.

Compare and Contrast:

Compare and contrast prices of dates from multiple stalls before you buy them. This is necessary because some vendors may try to scam you by quoting a higher price. Though, the majority of the vendors here at Dates Markets are friendly and honest. Still, it is better to properly assess the market and compare rates to buy dates at a reasonable price. 

Bargain: 

The time to bargain starts when you choose the type of dates you want to buy. You don’t need to feel guilty or embarrassed because it is common for customers to bargain with the vendors in UAE. Shopping in Dates markets is different from shopping in the West. Here bargaining is expected from the customers. You will see many customers bargaining with the vendors. You can observe them to learn how to bargain.

To bargain, ask your vendor the price of the dates. He will most likely name a slightly higher price because you are a tourist. You should go lower than what he demands. He will compromise with you and make a reasonable counteroffer. For example, if he asks for AED 100 you say 70 AED, a compromise would be AED 80 or 75.

Premium Dates available in Dates Markets Abu Dhabi

Ajwa, Khidri, and Kholas are some of the most premium dates available in Dates Market Abu Dhabi. 

Ajwa:

Ajwa is known as the “Holy Date” as it is associated with the Islamic belief system. Muslims believe that Ajwa has extraordinary health benefits. It is cultivated in limited quantities in Madina but the demand for Ajwa is through the roof.

It is soft and mildly sweet so it is perfect for those who don’t like overly sweet fruits. Ajwa has a prune-like texture and it is quite chewy. 

Khidri:

Khidri is more sweet than Ajwa and possesses a raisin-like taste. It is usually cylindrical shaped with a dark brown color and flaky skin. It also has a caramel aftertaste that tourists appreciate greatly. You should try Khidri if you like sweets with a chewy texture.

Kholas:

Kholas can be eaten unripe, semi-riped, and fully riped. They are oval-shaped and have dark to golden-brown skin.  Their insides are soft and sweet, and they taste almost like toffee.

Frozen semi-riped Kholas are considered a premium indulgence. The frozen outer layer provides a delicious contrast to the soft flesh of semi-riped kholas. Kholas are the perfect choice for people who have sweet tooths. 

What is the Best Time to Visit the Dates Markets in Abu Dhabi?

The best time to visit Dates Market is from the evening till midnight. In the evening you will be able to avoid the heat and scorching sunlight. It will be easy to walk around the market in the cool evening. In addition, many vendors are more willing to accept the bargains and compromise with the customers in the evening. That’s why you should ask your hotel to schedule a visit to the Dates market in the evening.

What are the Operating hours of the Dates Markets in Abu Dhabi?

The operating hours of Dates Markets in Abu Dhabi are from 10 AM in the early morning to midnight. You can go there to shop whenever is convenient for you. But as said earlier the best time to visit Dates Market is from evening till midnight.  

How can you Visit Dates Markets in Abu Dhabi? 

You can visit Dates Market through city tours arranged by hotels or by public buses on your own. Usually, hotels add Dates markets to their itineraries because tourists are interested in going to these markets. In case they are not part of your city tour, you can ask your hotel to add Dates Markets to your Abu Dhabi tour itinerary. The hotel transport will drive you to the markets and drop you off. You can roam the markets and shop for different species of dates. The hotel car or bus will pick you up from the pre-designed pickup point at a fixed time. 

Tips for visiting Dates Market Abu Dhabi

Keep the following 7 tips in mind while visiting Dates Market Abu Dhabi:

1. Do some research before going to the Dates Market.
2. Visit Dates Market in the evening or night.
3. Taste dates before you buy them.
4. Ask locals and vendors for suggestions.
5. Try to Bargain with the shopkeeper.
6. Compare prices carefully before you buy dates.
7. Wear comfortable shoes and take a water bottle with you.

Summing Up

Visiting Date Market is about far more than shopping. It is a unique experience that offers a glimpse into UAE’s culinary heritage. A visit to these markets enriches the appreciation of the dates. These Date markets are hubs of tradition, heritage, and Arabian flavors.

You should visit these markets if you ever go to Abu Dhabi and buy souvenirs for your friends and family back home. Go in the evening and interact with the natives in the market. You will return from the market with lots of dates and a deep understanding of the importance of dates in ancient Arabian culture.