A dense, crumbly sweet confection made from tahini (sesame paste) or semolina, found across the Middle East, Central Asia, South Asia, and the Balkans — one of the world's oldest known confections.
Two very different desserts sharing a name
“Halva” (from the Arabic halwa, meaning “sweet”) refers to two distinct confection families:
- Tahini halva — the crumbly, layered confection of sesame paste and sugar syrup, most common in the Middle East, Balkans, and among Jewish communities worldwide
- Semolina halva — a soft, warm pudding made from semolina, butter, and sugar syrup; common in Turkey, India (suji halwa), and Greece
These are unrelated in texture and cooking method but share the same name and ancient roots.
Making tahini halva
Sugar is cooked to a firm-ball stage (121°C), then beaten into tahini along with a saponin-rich plant extract (traditionally soapwort root — saponaria). The saponin creates a characteristic fibrous, slightly crystalline texture distinct from simple tahini fudge. The mass is then shaped into blocks and cooled.
Variations
Pistachio halva (with whole or ground pistachios) and marble halva (with ribbons of dark chocolate) are the most popular commercial varieties. Vanilla, rosewater, and cardamom are common flavourings.
Religious significance
Halva is a mourning food in many cultures — served at funerals, wakes, or memorial gatherings in Iran, Turkey, the Balkans, and across Jewish traditions (where it’s also eaten to break Yom Kippur fast and during Passover).
Find more foods by letter
Halva starts with H and ends with A. Browse other foods along the same letter.
Foods that contain a letter from "Halva":