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Original poster

Just discovered a new food

29 replies

sleepD3pr1ived · 13/08/2023 23:09

Just bought a sesame desert called sesame Halva - it is absolutely divine and pretty healthy . Anyone else tried it and love it or is it just me?

OP posts:
OhYouSweetSweetFool · 13/08/2023 23:18

With or without tahini in? Only asking because I’ve seen recipes for both but I know from a recipe I was making with tahini that it’s calorific!
I thought Halva also had a fair bit of sugar in it?
Where did you get it from?

Dilbertian · 13/08/2023 23:48

I absolutely ADORE halva.

Tahini is just crushed sesame. All halva is made with sesame/tahini. It is the main ingredient. The other sort is halwa, which is not made with sesame. I think halVa is Arab, whereas halWa is Indian. I think.

Halva is sort of vaguely healthy. Sesame is rich in fibre, protein, calcium and other micro-nutrients. Unfortunately the other main ingredient is sugar!

Menopausehaver · 14/08/2023 00:06

It’s packed with sugar, in fact it is sugar with fat from sesame seeds mixed in. Highly calorific

Thewallsof · 14/08/2023 00:07

Menopausehaver · 14/08/2023 00:06

It’s packed with sugar, in fact it is sugar with fat from sesame seeds mixed in. Highly calorific

Christ did anyone ask? Are you normally like this?

SM4713 · 14/08/2023 00:11

OP- what makes you think its healthy? In what way? Just curious what you've read? Halva is generally very high in fat and sugar, and hardly a healthy choice! 🤔

Menopausehaver · 14/08/2023 00:16

Thewallsof · 14/08/2023 00:07

Christ did anyone ask? Are you normally like this?

Show quote history

OP thinks it’s healthy, it isn’t. Are you normally like this!

SM4713 · 14/08/2023 00:23

What are the disadvantages of halva?
Halva is recommended to pregnant women because it has folic acid, responsible for cell development. However, because of the high concentration of sugar, it should be eaten with caution. Halva isn't good for people with diabetes and obesity.

ParadiseZity · 14/08/2023 00:23

Waitrose sometimes sells it. It's yummy but full of fat and sugar - but protein too! You can also get it in many different flavours (though not at Waitrose). Pistachio is delicious! If you're near selfridges in London you can get it from there.

greenspaces4peace · 14/08/2023 02:23

i just ordered 3kg from Lebanon.
yes it's yummy i've been aware of it since...oh the 70's if not before.
but am fully aware it is NOT a health food.
high sugar and high calories.

Thewallsof · 14/08/2023 08:30

Menopausehaver · 14/08/2023 00:16

OP thinks it’s healthy, it isn’t. Are you normally like this!

Show quote history

Calories and health are different things. Yes this is absolutely what I'm like. I'll always stand up to the boring food police when someone didn't fucking ask.

Georgyporky · 14/08/2023 18:01

greenspaces4peace · 14/08/2023 02:23

i just ordered 3kg from Lebanon.
yes it's yummy i've been aware of it since...oh the 70's if not before.
but am fully aware it is NOT a health food.
high sugar and high calories.

I can beat that !! 60's

(cough cough) Perhaps my mother told me about it.

Had some in Jordan recently

PollyThePixie · 14/08/2023 18:05

My father in law was a Halwa maker.

ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 14/08/2023 18:06

OhYouSweetSweetFool · 13/08/2023 23:18

With or without tahini in? Only asking because I’ve seen recipes for both but I know from a recipe I was making with tahini that it’s calorific!
I thought Halva also had a fair bit of sugar in it?
Where did you get it from?

It has to be tahini if it's sesame halva. Tahini is basically ground sesame.

OhYouSweetSweetFool · 14/08/2023 22:56

Thewallsof · 14/08/2023 08:30

Calories and health are different things. Yes this is absolutely what I'm like. I'll always stand up to the boring food police when someone didn't fucking ask.

Show quote history

People can disregard what someone posts about calories, it’s not hard.
You aren’t standing up for anything, you are purposely being rude and aggressive.

OneCup · 14/08/2023 23:35

Ha, I am not sure I would call Halva healthy but yes it does taste nice albeit sickening when one has too much of it I find!

otherhalves · 14/08/2023 23:38

It's Middle Eastern and absolutely gorgeous. I think it's (filo?) pastry with sesame, honey, nuts and all sorts of other delights. Bigger Sainsbury stores have it too but it's defo not stocked in the health food aisle.

Enjoy! :)

DrCoconut · 15/08/2023 00:26

It reminds me of polystyrene. Sorry.

ShowOfHands · 15/08/2023 00:29

I can't stand halva.

VeridicalVagabond · 15/08/2023 00:37

otherhalves · 14/08/2023 23:38

It's Middle Eastern and absolutely gorgeous. I think it's (filo?) pastry with sesame, honey, nuts and all sorts of other delights. Bigger Sainsbury stores have it too but it's defo not stocked in the health food aisle.

Enjoy! :)

I think you're thinking of Baklava, Halva isn't made with pastry.

Both are delicious though! I always loved a piece of Halva with a strong coffee.

Original poster
sleepD3pr1ived · 24/08/2023 22:29

OhYouSweetSweetFool · 13/08/2023 23:18

With or without tahini in? Only asking because I’ve seen recipes for both but I know from a recipe I was making with tahini that it’s calorific!
I thought Halva also had a fair bit of sugar in it?
Where did you get it from?

Waitrose and yes it is sweet and does have tahini in it - it's absolutely delicious!

OP posts:
Original poster
sleepD3pr1ived · 24/08/2023 22:30

Dilbertian · 13/08/2023 23:48

I absolutely ADORE halva.

Tahini is just crushed sesame. All halva is made with sesame/tahini. It is the main ingredient. The other sort is halwa, which is not made with sesame. I think halVa is Arab, whereas halWa is Indian. I think.

Halva is sort of vaguely healthy. Sesame is rich in fibre, protein, calcium and other micro-nutrients. Unfortunately the other main ingredient is sugar!

I'm focussing on the fact it's vaguely healthy!!

OP posts:
Original poster
sleepD3pr1ived · 24/08/2023 22:30

ParadiseZity · 14/08/2023 00:23

Waitrose sometimes sells it. It's yummy but full of fat and sugar - but protein too! You can also get it in many different flavours (though not at Waitrose). Pistachio is delicious! If you're near selfridges in London you can get it from there.

Ooh pistachio sounds nice!

OP posts:
Original poster
sleepD3pr1ived · 24/08/2023 22:31

greenspaces4peace · 14/08/2023 02:25

Thank you!

OP posts:
dahliadazed · 24/08/2023 22:34

I do love halva. You can buy it in small bars in Eastern European/ Polish shops.

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