Halva

Types of halva in Istanbul, Turkey

Different kinds of halva in Kerala, India

types of halva in Samarkand, Uzbekistan

types of halva in Jerusalem, Israel

Halva (also known as halvah, halwa) is a solid candy based on vegetable fat and sugar. There are many types of halva. In Israel, crude sesame base is popular. In Russia, halva made out of Sunflower seeds is popular.

Halva has a number of geographical sources: from Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, Iran, India, Uzbekistan, Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. It is considered a national dish in Turkey.

Types and preparation

• Sesame or Peanut - Made from raw tahini, mixed with sugar syrup and sometimes honey. The ingredients are mixed to form a solid, fatty lump, that easily melts in heat, break apart easily, and become easier to make. This is the most popular type of halva in Israel. It usually shows the marble lines made by mixing fat and sugar. In Bukhara, a Bukharan peanut halva called "Labaz" is made.

• Semolina - It is the most common type in Eastern countries, such as Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and India. It is based on wheat bran starches. The fat is added from another source: usually soybean oil, while the sweetness comes from syrup or honey. Indian semolina halva is called suji halva, a wheat flour halva called ata kahalva. In Iraq, halva is made from wheat flour and semolina. It is served with Iraqi pita before meal.

• Sunflower seeds - Its main source of fat is sunflower seeds. It is common in countries around Russia. They got their recipe from neighboring Turkey. The recipe is almost identical to sesame one.

• Goat cheese - It is common to make a halva from goat cheese in Lebanon and Greece.

• Cornflour - In Saudi Arabia, halva is made from cornflour, butter, sugar, cardamom and saffron.

• Flour - In Bulgaria, Iraq and Iran, halva flour is also used as a substitute for semolina.

• Rice - In the area of the city of Shiraz in Iran, it is commonly prepared using cooked rice.

Other uses

• Halva spread - It has almost liquid texture and high viscosity. Relatively light in dietary fiber.

• Curly halva (also called: "halva hairs") is used to decorate traditional desserts in oriental cuisine.

• Halva mousse can be used for desserts or for cakes.

Halva Media

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  Turkish un helvası, a flour-based halva

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  Akçaabat un helvası kavruluyor.

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  Sonnenblumenhalva

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  This picture of Sheki Halva taken in the Halva shop located near the silk factory. This picture was taken by Joshua Noonan on 28 November 2006 in Sheki, Azerbaijan.

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  Some assorted Indian halva including sooji halva (diamond shapes), chana halva (light circles), and gajar halva (dark circles)

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  Sooji halwa made from semolina or sooji

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  Black Halwa, Kerala Special

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  Platters of Halva are served with a cake, a jelly pudding, and cooked chickens in Iranian wedding celebrations

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  Israeli halva displays at the Mahane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem