Halva

Balkan style tahini-based halva with pistachios

Halva (or halawa, xalwo, haleweh, ħelwa, halvah, halava, helava, helva, halwa, halua, aluva, chalva, chałwa) refers to many types of dense, sweet confections, served across the Middle East, South Asia, Central Asia, West Asia, North Africa, the Horn of Africa, the Balkans, Eastern Europe, Malta and the Jewish world.

The term halva (Arabic: حلوى‎ halwā), meaning "sweet", is used to describe two types of desserts:

• Flour-based - This type of halva is slightly gelatinous and made from grain flour, typically semolina. The primary ingredients are clarified butter, flour, and sugar.
• Nut-butter-based - This type of halva is crumbly and usually made from tahini (sesame paste) or other nut butters, such as sunflower seed butter. The primary ingredients are nut butter and sugar.

Halva may also be based on numerous other ingredients, including sunflower seeds, various nuts, beans, lentils, and vegetables such as carrots, pumpkins, yams, and squashes.^[1]

Etymology

The word halva entered the English language between 1840 and 1850 from the Yiddish halva. The latter term came from Bulgarian, which in turn came from the Turkish helva, a word which itself ultimately derived from the Arabic al ḥalwā, meaning sweet confection.^[2] The Arabic root حلوى ḥalwā means "sweet".

Types

Most types of halva are relatively dense confections sweetened with sugar or honey. Their textures, however, vary. For example, semolina-based halva is gelatinous and translucent, while sesame-based halva is drier and more crumbly.

Flour-based

This type is made by frying the flour such as semolina in oil into a roux and cooking it with a sugary syrup. This is popular in Iran, Turkey, Somalia, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Semolina (suji)

This halva, produced and served in India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Pakistan and surrounding countries (different versions of it are also found in Albania, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Montenegro and Turkey), is usually made with wheat semolina, sugar or honey, and butter or vegetable oil. Raisins, dates, other dried fruits, or nuts such as almonds or walnuts, are often added to semolina halva. The halva is very sweet with a gelatinous texture similar to polenta; the added butter gives it a rich mouthfeel. The standard proportions of semolina halva are one part fat (a vegetable oil or butter), two parts semolina, two parts sweetening agent (e.g. sugar or honey) and four parts water. The semolina is sautéed in the fat while a syrup is being made of the sweetener and water. Then the two are mixed carefully while hot, and any extra ingredients are added. At this point, the halva is off-white to light beige, and rather soft. Depending on recipe and taste, it can be cooked a bit further, which makes it darker and firmer, or left to settle as is.

Turkish un helvası, a semolina-based halva

In India, though semolina halva is considered to be essentially a "Northern" confection, it is also quite popular in South India. A prominent South Indian version of halva (or alvaa in Tamil) is from Tirunelveli, a city in the state of Tamil Nadu. A closely related semolina preparation widely enjoyed throughout South India is called kesari or kesari-bath.

In Pakistan and India, carrots (for gajar halwa), mung beans (for moong dal halwa) or bottle gourds (for doodi halwa) are also used instead of semolina. Prepared with condensed milk and ghee, without semolina to bind it together, the end result has a moist, yet flaky, texture when freshly prepared.

Cornstarch

Cornstarch halva, popular in Greece, has many variations. The farsala recipe is the most well known. It is quite sweet, with caramel-like syrup.

Rice flour

See also: Dodol

This rice flour and coconut milk halva is common fare on the streets of Zanzibar.

Nut butter–based

Russian packaged halva

This type of halva is made by grinding oily seeds, such as sesame, to a paste, and then mixing with hot sugar syrup cooked to hard-crack stage. This type is popular in the eastern Mediterranean and Balkan regions, in countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Romania, Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Russia, Greece and Cyprus, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Macedonia, Albania, Syria, Central Asia, southern India, the Caucasus region and Turkey. It is also popular in Algeria and on the central Mediterranean islands of Malta.

Sesame

Sesame halva is popular in the Balkans, Poland, Middle East, and other areas surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. The primary ingredients in this confection are sesame butter or paste (tahini), and sugar, glucose or honey.^[3] Soapwort^[4][5] (called ‘erq al halaweh in Arabic; çöven in Turkish^[6]), egg white, or marshmallow root are added in some recipes, to stabilize the oils in the mixture or create a distinctive texture for the resulting confection.

Other ingredients and flavourings such as pistachio nuts, cocoa powder, orange juice, vanilla, or chocolate are often added to the basic tahini and sugar base.

Sunflower

A Russian halva confection

Sunflower halva, popular in countries from Eastern Europe, such as Armenia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine, is made of sunflower seeds instead of sesame.

Other

Floss halva

Pişmaniye (Turkish) or floss halva is a traditional sweet, prepared in Kocaeli, Turkey, made by flossing thin strands of halva into a light confection. Made primarily of wheat flour and sugar, the strands are continuously wrapped into a ball shape and then compressed. The result is a halva with a light consistency, similar to cotton candy. Floss halva can be found in regular and pistachio flavors, and there are brands with halal or kosher certifications.

A similar pistachio-based version of floss halva is popular in North India. It tends to be slightly denser and is often referred to as patisa or sohan papdi. In Chinese cuisine, a floss-like candy similar to pismaniye or pashmak halva, known as dragon beard candy, is eaten as snack or dessert.

A raw version of halva also has become popular amongst proponents of raw food diets. In this version, a mixture of raw sesame tahini, raw almonds, raw agave nectar and salt are blended together and frozen to firm.^[7]

Cultural use

Halva is the most common modern English spelling and the transliteration from most Balkan languages. Other transliterations include: ħelwa (Maltese), halvah (Hebrew), halwa or halwi (Arabic), helva (Turkish), and halva (Hindustani).

The Hebrew-derived spelling, halvah (Hebrew: חלבה‎), may at times be used to refer specifically to the kosher variety.

The word halawa (حلاوة) in Arabic means 'sweetness', while the word halwa (حلوى) means sweets or candy. The word halva comes from the Arabic word halwa; the root word is hilwa meaning sweet.

Albania

Halva, hallvë in Albanian, is usually eaten as a dessert-based meal, that is, with no entrees or appetizers consumed prior. The majority of halva in Albania is flour halva, although home-cooked semolina halva and shop-produced sesame halva are also consumed. Wheat flour is usually used, although corn flour halva is also common.

Argentina

Halva is available in Argentina, especially from confectioners of Syrian-Lebanese or Armenian origin. In the 1940s, a halva substitute named Mantecol made with peanut butter was introduced by Río Segundo's Georgalos, a Greek immigrant family firm. It became a popular product; in the 1990s, the brand was sold to global firm Cadbury Schweppes, which altered the recipe. Georgalos now manufactures the original product under the name Nucrem. Both versions are available in candy stores and supermarkets.

Bahrain

In Bahrain, the most popular form of halwa is halwa showaiter, also known as halwa Bahraini in neighboring countries.

Bosnia

Halva is widely used in Bosnia, and is available in different forms and flavours.

Bangladesh

An assortment of Bangladeshi halwa (from left): papaya, carrot, and semolina, (below): chickpea

Various kinds of halua (Bengali: হালুয়া) are prepared across Bangladesh and neighbouring Bengali-speaking regions of Kolkata (Calcutta). Some of the most common types of halua include semolina (সুজির হালুয়া shujir halua), carrot (গাজরের হালুয়া gajorer halua), chickpea (বুটের হালুয়া buṭer halua), flour (নেশেস্তার হালুয়া neshestar halua) almond (বাদামের হালুয়া badamer halua), and papaya (পেঁপের হালুয়া pẽper halua). Halua is usually eaten as a rich dessert, but it is not uncommon for Bangladeshi to eat it for breakfast with traditional breads, such as puris (পুরি puri) or parathas (পরোটা pôroṭa).

Brazil

In Brazil, which is home to the largest Syrian-Lebanese population outside the Middle East, plain and chocolate tahini halva can be found in cans in most supermarkets, while fancy varieties are sold in specialized food shops.

Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, the term halva (халва) is used for several varieties of the dessert. Tahini halva (тахан халва) is most popular and can be found in all food stores. Two different types of tahini halva are made - one using sunflower seed tahini and another using sesame seed tahini. Traditionally, the regions of Yablanitsa and Haskovo are famous for their halva. Semolina halva (грис халва) is made at home and can be found only in some pastry stores. A third type is white halva (бяла халва), which is made of sugar. White halva is popular on the last Sunday before Lent (Sirni Zagovezni; Сирни заговезни), when a piece of white halva is tied on a string. All the children at the party stand in a circle and must catch the turning piece of halva with their mouths. Almost all types of halva in Bulgaria are flavoured with essence of Good King Henry (чувен).

Croatia

Halva is a sweet that is consumed in Croatia. It is not uncommon to come across the specialty in the regions of Slavonia, Kordun, Lika and Baranja or regions that at one time came into contact with the Ottoman empire. Halva is especially popular in Slavonia during kirvaj or local church fairs.

Egypt

In Egypt, halawa or halawa tahiniya (حلاوة طحينية, [ħæˈlæːwæ tˤeħeˈnejːɑ]) has many varieties, such as plain blocks, and fine, fibrous halawa called halawa hair (حلاوة شعر, [ħæˈlæːwæ ʃɑʕɾ]). Other varieties with pine nuts, pistachios, and almonds exist in big blocks or packed consumer portions, or more recently, energy bars (chocolate bar size). Halawa is a very popular sweet enjoyed by many Egyptians. It is eaten for breakfast and supper, and enjoyed with hot bread, sandwiches, and sometimes with the Arabic equivalent of clotted cream (قشطة, eshta [ˈeʃtˤɑ] in Egyptian Arabic). It is a staple food that is enjoyed all over the country, as it does not need special storage conditions, and can be kept in ambient temperature with no risk of spoilage.

Greece and Cyprus

In Greece and Cyprus, the term halvas (χαλβάς) is used for both varieties of the dessert. Sesame halva was produced in classical times.^[8] The standard recipe for semolina halva is called "1:2:3:4" as it calls for one unit of oil, two of semolina, three of sugar and four of water.

India

Some assorted Indian halva including sooji halva, chana halva, and gajar halva

Various types of halva from India are distinguished by the region and the ingredients from which they are prepared. The most famous include sooji (or suji) halva (semolina),^[9] aate ka halva (wheat),^[10] moong dal ka halva (mung bean halva),^[11] gajar halva (carrot),^[12] dudhi halva, chana daal halwa (chickpeas), and Satyanarayan halwa (variation of suji halwa, with the addition of detectable traces of banana), and kaju halva (cashew nut).

Tirunelveli, a city in Tamil Nadu state, is called "Halwa City".

In the province of Kerala, halva is known as aluva. Significant Arab and Middle Eastern influence in this region resulted from ancient trade routes from here via the Arabian Sea and Arab traders who also later settled in Kerala. The Turkish delight, lokum, is very similar to this aluva, and Kozhikode, Kerala, is famous for unique exotic halwa, which is popularly known as kozhikkodan halwa. It comes in various flavours, such as ghee, coconut, cashew, date, tender coconut, pineapple, etc. Kozhikkodan halwa is mostly made from maida (highly refined wheat). However, karutha aluva (black halwa), made from rice, is also very popular.

Halwa from Kozhikode

Kashi halva, made from winter melon or ash gourd, is a famous and traditional sweet of Karnataka, which mainly makes a regular appearance in traditional Brahmin weddings.

Iran

In Iran halva usually refers to a related confection made from wheat flour and butter and flavored with rose water.^Recipe The final product has a dark brown color. The halva is spread thin on a plate till it dries into a paste. Halva usually is served for funerals and such ceremonies, often with almonds or coconut shavings on the top.

One variation from the Caspian region of Gilan is called asali halva (honey halva). It is different from other types of halva prepared in Iran, since it is based on rice flour rather than semolina, and instead of sugar, it is sweetned with honey.

Halvardeh is the Iranian term for tahini-based halva, and may or may not include whole pistachios. Ardeh is processed sesame in the form of paste, usually sweetened with syrup.

Israel

Halva displays at the Mahane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem

Heavily sesame-flavoured tahini halvah (חלוה) is very popular in Israel and among people of Jewish background all over the world.^[13][14] Spelled "halvah" in English, it usually comes in slabs or small packages, and is available in a wide variety of flavours, chocolate and vanilla being very common. The halvah is almost always parve, meaning it does not contain any meat or dairy ingredients, ensuring it can be eaten with/after either milk or meat dishes according to the laws of Kashrut. Israeli halvah will usually not contain wheat flour or semolina, but will contain sesame tahini, glucose, sugar, vanilla and saponaria root extracts (soapwort), which are not usually found in other recipes.^[15]

Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Jordan and the Palestinian territories

In the region of the Levant - which includes Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Jordan and the Palestinian territories, halawa (Arabic: حلاوة‎), is typically the sesame or tahini-based form, which can be flavoured in various ways, and may include pistachios, almonds or chocolate. A large quantity of halawa is exported from Lebanon throughout the world.

Libya and Tunisia

In Tunisia and Libya, it is called حلوى شامية halwa shamiya or simply shamiya, which means Levantine sweet, whereas the word halawa is never used.

Lithuania

In Lithuania, it is called chalva. It is widely used as a snack and sold packed in small pieces (70-150 grams). Most popularly made with sunflower seeds and peanuts.

Macedonia

In Macedonia, halva (Macedonian: алва, alva) refers to a sweet which comes in a few varieties. Halva made from tahini (sesame or sunflower) (Таан алва) is most used in Macedonia. Most popular is the halva from Negotino and from Super Alva from Skopje.^{[citation needed]} Halva from semolina (алва од гриз) is made only at home. Izmirska halva (Измирска алва) is a chocolate type of halva made from flour, cocoa, sugar and peanuts. This halva is also made at home.

Malta

In Malta, the term ħelwa tal-Tork (English: Turk's sweet) is used to refer to a tahini-based block confection sometimes containing pistachios or almonds. It forms part of the Maltese cuisine, and is a common sweet snack on the islands, especially served at the end of wedding celebrations and during feasts.

Myanmar

In Myanmar, it is called halawa, and is associated with the port town of Pathein in the Ayeyarwady Region. Burmese halawa is usually contains poppy seeds and is brown in colour. It is popular as a gift item.

Pakistan

The halva in Pakistan is very similar to those from India. There are various types of halva (Urdu: حلوہ) category sweets in Pakistan, distinguished by the region and the content from which they are prepared. Most common are the ones made from semolina, ghee and sugar, garnished with dried fruits and nuts. Carrot halwa^[12] (called gaajar ka halwa) is also popular, as is halva made from tender bottle gourds and chanay ki daal |" چنی کی دال ". Karachi halva is a specialty dessert from Karachi, Sindh. In Urdu, the word halva حلوہ denotes "sweets", while a pastry maker is called Halvai حلواى. Also from southern part of Punjab province, the sohan halwa is famous in the country.

Poland

Halva (Polish: chałwa) in Poland is sesame-based. It is not usually made at home, but it is sold under various brands in the form of large or small bars, as well as boxed hard mass.

Romania and Moldova

In Romania and Moldova, the term halva is used to refer to a sunflower-based block confection sometimes containing pistachios, almonds or chocolate. In the Republic of Moldova, it is mostly referred to as halva de răsărită; in Romania, it is known as halva de floarea soarelui.

Russia

Halva (халва) is used in Russia as a traditional dessert. Sometimes Russian children are given halva as candy.

Serbia

Halva, called alva in Serbian, is common to the whole region. Alva is a typical sweet in local church fairs around Serbia.

Slovenia

Halva, called helava in Slovene, is a sweet widely consumed in Slovenia. It became popular there when Slovenia had contact with the Ottoman Empire. Slovenes mostly eat it while drinking morning or afternoon Turkish coffee.^{[citation needed]}

Somalia

Halwo, the Somali version of halva, is a staple of Somali cuisine.

In Somalia, halva is known as halwo. A staple of Somali cuisine, it is a popular confection served during special occasions, such as Eid celebrations or wedding receptions. Halwo is made from sugar, cornstarch, cardamom powder, nutmeg powder, and ghee. Peanuts are also sometimes added to enhance texture and flavor.^[16]

Sri Lanka

Halva, called aluva in Sinhalese, is a typical sweet specially made for the traditional Sri Lankan New Year Festival (Sinhala and Hindu Aluth Awurudda) in April. It is often made from rice flour, either with sugar (seeni aluwa) or treacle (pani aluwa). Cashew nuts are added for extra taste.

Tajikistan

Soft sesame halva is made from sugar syrup, egg whites, and sesame seeds. Solid sesame halva is made from pulled sugar, repeatedly stretched to give a white colour; prepared sesame is added to the warm sugar and formed on big trays. In Tajikistan, as well as in Uzbekistan, the local name is lavz (Лавз).^[17]

Helva at an Istiklal Caddesi storefront in Turkey

Turkey

The term helva is used by Turkish people, to describe tahin (crushed sesame seeds), flour, or semolina halva, called tahin helvası, un helvası, and irmik helvası, respectively. Yaz helvası is made of almond or walnut. Semolina halva (garnished with pine nuts) has a cultural significance in Turkish folk religion, and is the most common type. Traditionally, halva prepared with flour (un helvası) is cooked and served upon the death of a person. In addition, some sweets and desserts are also called helva, such as pamuk helva or kos helva, a sweet-like dessert which is widespread in Turkey. In Safranbolu, kos helva is also called "leaf-halva".

United States

In the USA, it is found in ethnic Indian, Jewish, Argentine, or Middle-Eastern stores. Besides being imported from the Middle East or India (or Mantecol imported into Argentine stores), one can find the version manufactured in the US by Joyva in Brooklyn.

Cultural references

In Afghanistan, Turkey and Iran, after the burial ceremony, on the seventh and fortieth day following the death of a Muslim, and also on the first anniversary, semolina helva or flour helva is cooked and offered to visitors and neighbours by relatives of the deceased. For this reason, flour (un) helva is also called ölü helvası, meaning "helva of the dead". The expression "roasting the helva of someone" suggests the person referred to died some time ago.

The Greek saying Ante re halva! ("Άντε ρε χαλβά!" - could be translated as "get lost, halva") is used when the speaker wants to offend someone, usually a man, by calling him a coward and/or chubby. Another saying, dating from the period of Ottoman domination, states "Ρωμαίικος καβγάς, τούρκικος χαλβάς" (roughly translated as "A fight among Greeks is halva to Turks").

In Egypt, it is believed, as it has often been portrayed in literature and media, within the incarcerated community, halawa is a prized item commonly offered to inmates by visiting family members. This has led to the exploitation of this cultural phenomenon by a local halawa manufacturer in a recent advertising campaign.^[18]

In Bosnia and Herzegovina (and also, to a lesser extent, Croatia, Slovenia (Styrian part of the country) and Serbia), the phrase "ide / prodaje se kao halva" or Styrian dialect of Slovene "re ko' alva" ("sells like halva") is a colloquial expression denoting a product's sales are very high, similar to the English expression "sells like hotcakes" or the German expression "verkauft sich wie warme Semmeln" ("sells like hot bread rolls").

Recurring references to halvah have been made in Mad magazine over the years.

Allan Sherman's song "The Streets of Miami", a Jewish-centered parody of "The Streets of Laredo" contains the line, "I shot and Sam crumbled / Just like a piece halvah..."

See also

Food portal

• Arab cuisine
• Barfi
• Halvai
• Indian cuisine
• Iranian cuisine
• Israeli cuisine
• Jewish cuisine
• Levantine cuisine
• Nougat
• Pakistani cuisine
• Turkish cuisine
• Turrón

References

1. ^ Davidson, Alan (1999). The Oxford Companion to Food. Oxford: Oxford University press. pp. xx + 892. ISBN 0-19-211579. 
2. ^ Halvah, Random House Dictionary, 2009
3. ^ Sesame Halva recipe
4. ^ Seasoning Savvy: How to Cook With Herbs, Spices, and Other Flavorings By Alice Arndt, p.215
5. ^ Halva Ethnological Museum of Thrace
6. ^ Turkish halva
7. ^ Matt Amsden, RAWvolution: Gourmet Living Cuisine, HarperCollins, 2006
8. ^ Sesame seed and tahini production. Dimitris Perrotis, College of Agricultural Studies, American Farm School, Thessaloniki, Greece
9. ^ Suji halva recipe
10. ^ Aate ka halva recipe
11. ^ Moong dal ka halva recipe,
12. ^ ^{a b} Gajar halwa video demonstration
13. ^ Gil Marks, "The World of Jewish Cooking", (Simon & Schuster: 1996) p.210
14. ^ Ha'aretz Online: Four stops for Halva
15. ^ The Jewish Exponent: Hail to Heavenly Halvah!
16. ^ Barlin Ali, Somali Cuisine, (AuthorHouse: 2007), p.79
17. ^ Halva from Tajikistan Nacion
18. ^ BAWADI HALAWA CAMPAIGN - TWO اعلان حلاوة البوادى Yoy Tube

External links