Barhee

Barhee, also spelled Barhi, is a cultivar of the date palm, Phoenix dactylifera, cultivated across the Middle East and widely planted in Gulf countries such as Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Iraq. It is valued for its early harvest and its soft, creamy flesh.

The fruit is medium-sized and elongated, with a thin skin that ranges from pale amber to light brown when ripe. The flesh is pale, very soft, juicy, and has a sweet, honeyed flavor with notes of caramel. Barhee dates are often eaten fresh, but the fruit can also be dried for longer storage.

Barhee trees are tall and vigorous and are well adapted to hot climates. Like other date cultivars, Barhee is typically grown in plantations with palm rows and requires controlled irrigation. Because date palms are dioecious, male trees are used to pollinate female Barhee palms to achieve fruit set.

In commerce, Barhee is one of the better-known date cultivars in the Gulf region. It is sometimes marketed as an early-season date, alongside other popular varieties such as Khalas and Khodri. The cultivar is also used in date products such as date paste and processing for fresh markets.