Synonyms: Halawi, Hallawi, Hellawi
Origin: Iraq
Meaning:  “Sweet” (Dowson 1939)
History: A soft date, David Fairchild introduced Halawy in 1902 from Northern Iraq.  As with other varieties from that region, though, most of the commercial plantings of Halawy in the United States are traceable to Paul Poponoe’s 1913 introduction.  By 1946, there were about 45 acres of Halawy in California and 30 acres in Arizona. One of the most common varieties in southern Iraq, Halawy was generally regarded as one of the best varieties shipped in quantity from Basra, Iraq, to European and American markets.