Halva

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Halva

Halva (pronunciation: /ˈhɑːlvə/ or /ˈhælvə/; from Arabic: حلوى‎ halwā, sweet) is a dense, sweet confection originating in the Middle East. The term halva, used in many different cultures, generally refers to a sweet dessert; however, the recipes, ingredients, and processes can vary greatly.

Etymology

The word halva entered the English language between 1840 and 1850 from the Yiddish halva. The latter term came from Romanian, which in turn came from the Turkish helva, a word which itself ultimately derived from the Arabic حلوى, meaning sweet.

Ingredients

The primary ingredients in the most common type of halva are sesame seeds or sunflower seeds, which are ground to produce tahini or sunflower seed butter, respectively. This is combined with hot sugar syrup to form a sweet, dense paste. Other ingredients can include honey, flour, or nuts.

Variations

There are two primary types of halva: flour-based and nut-butter-based. Flour-based halva is made by frying flour in oil, mixing it into a roux, and then cooking it with a sugary syrup. This type of halva is often flavored with rose water or vanilla. Nut-butter-based halva is made from tahini (sesame paste) or other nut butters, like sunflower seed butter. This type of halva may also include whole nuts, dried fruit, or chocolate.

Related Terms

  • Tahini: A condiment made from toasted ground hulled sesame seeds, tahini is a major component in many types of halva.
  • Sesame Seeds: These seeds are often ground into tahini, which is then used to make halva.
  • Sunflower Seeds: An alternative to sesame seeds, sunflower seeds can also be used to make halva.

External links

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