Halva

A dense confection found from the Balkans to South Asia, made either from sesame paste and sugar or from semolina or flour cooked with butter and sugar.

Halva: A block of tahini halva with pistachios, a few slices cut showing the flaky fibrous texture
  • Cakes, cookies, pastries and baked goods

Also called: aluva, halava, halawa, haleweh, halvaa

There are two main families. Tahini halva, common in the Middle East, Turkey and the Balkans, is made by mixing hot sugar syrup with sesame paste, which sets into a firm, flaky block, often studded with pistachios or swirled with chocolate. Semolina or flour halva is cooked in butter or ghee with sugar syrup or milk and served warm.

In India, halwa covers many soft puddings, from semolina to carrot. The name comes from an Arabic word for sweet. Halva is shared at celebrations, religious holidays and times of mourning in many cultures.

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Sources

Written by VanillaGoods in our own words from these sources. Last reviewed October 15, 2026.

  1. Guidance Note No. 14/2020: Safety and Quality of Traditional Milk Products, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)