Halva facts for kids

Halva (also called halvah or halwa) is a yummy, solid candy. It's mostly made from vegetable fat and sugar. There are many different kinds of halva all around the world!

For example, in Israel, halva made from sesame seeds is very popular. In Russia, people love halva made from sunflower seeds.

Halva comes from many places, like Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, Iran, India, Uzbekistan, Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. It's even seen as a special national dish in Turkey.

What is Halva Made Of?

Halva can be made with different main ingredients, giving it unique tastes and textures. Let's explore some of the most common types.

Sesame and Peanut Halva

This type of halva is made from a paste called tahini, which comes from ground sesame seeds. It's mixed with sweet syrup, sometimes with honey. The ingredients are blended until they form a solid, crumbly block. This halva melts easily when it gets warm. It often has cool swirly patterns from the mixing process. This is the most popular kind of halva in Israel. In a city called Bukhara, they make a special peanut halva known as "Labaz".

Semolina Halva

Semolina halva is very popular in Eastern countries like Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and India. It's made from wheat bran or Semolina, which are parts of wheat. Oil, usually soybean oil, is added for richness, and syrup or honey makes it sweet. In India, semolina halva is called suji halva. There's also ata kahalva, which is made from wheat flour. In Iraq, halva made from wheat flour and semolina is often eaten with Iraqi pita bread before a meal.

Sunflower Seed Halva

This halva gets its main flavor and fat from sunflower seeds. It's very common in countries near Russia. They learned the recipe from their neighbors in Turkey. The way it's made is quite similar to sesame halva.

Other Kinds of Halva

• In Lebanon and Greece, some halva is even made from Goat cheese!
• In Saudi Arabia, halva is made with cornflour, butter, sugar, cardamom, and saffron.
• In Bulgaria, Iraq, and Iran, flour is sometimes used instead of semolina to make halva.
• In the city of Shiraz in Iran, people often make halva using cooked Rice.

Fun Ways to Enjoy Halva

Halva isn't just eaten in blocks! It can be used in other fun ways too.

• Halva spread is almost like a liquid and can be spread on bread or used in desserts.
• Curly halva (sometimes called "halva hairs") looks like thin threads. It's used to decorate traditional desserts in many Eastern dishes.
• You can also make halva mousse. This is a light, fluffy dessert that can be eaten on its own or used in cakes.

Images for kids

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  Different types of halva in Istanbul, Turkey

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  Various kinds of halva in Kerala, India

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  Halva varieties in Samarkand, Uzbekistan

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  Halva types in Jerusalem, Israel

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  Turkish un helvası, a flour-based halva

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  Sunflower halva

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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 halva from Kerala

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  Israeli halva displays at the Mahane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem

See also

In Spanish: Halva para niños