Ajwa date tasting in the old markets

Ajwa date tasting is a local custom in Madinah, in the Al Madinah region of Saudi Arabia, where residents sample dates by variety before buying a box. Ajwa, the dark, soft, slightly dry date grown in the Madinah oasis, is considered the city's signature fruit and is widely given as a gift to pilgrims and visitors. The best place to try it is the Central Dates Market (Souq at-Tumur al-Markazi) in south Madinah, at about 24.4181, 39.6163, where traders offer free samples across dozens of varieties, including Sukkari, Safawi, Khalas and Anbara. Locals taste, compare texture and sweetness, ask about the farm or harvest and then choose a grade. Prices are per kilogram, typically from about SAR 20 for everyday dates to SAR 150 or more for premium Ajwa. A tasting session takes 30 to 60 minutes as part of a longer market visit. Morning is the best time, when stock is fresh and vendors have time to talk; evenings can be crowded, especially around Hajj, Umrah and the last days of Ramadan. Vendors will often pack boxes of one to five kilograms suitable for hand luggage. Visitors should accept samples politely, avoid asking for large quantities without buying, and ask for vacuum packing for travel. Dates are traditionally eaten with Arabic coffee, and many stalls offer that too. Photographing the dates and stalls is generally fine, but it is polite to ask before photographing vendors. The market is easily reached by taxi or ride-hailing from the centre of Madinah, and sits near Quba, so it combines well with a visit to the mosque.