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Halawa — traditional dish from Cairo, Egypt
Dessert Vegetarian

Food Flavour DNA

Nutritional Values

🔥510kcal
💪14gProtein
🌾45gCarbs
🥑34gFat
🌿8gFibre
⚖️100 gServing

* Per serving · 100 g. May vary.

Allergens

🥜 Nuts 🌱 Sesame

Halawa

How to order / say it
Say it حلاوة — [Ha-la-wa]
Order I'd like the Halawa, please.
Locally من فضلك أريد حلاوة.
Say locally

A dense sweet confection made primarily from tahini paste and sugar, often garnished with nuts.

Why try it?

Halawa offers a sweet glimpse into the confectionery delights of Egyptian cuisine. As a ubiquitous treat, it reflects the country's love for sweets and communal sharing traditions at tea time or as gifts.

How it tastes

The treat is crumbly yet creamy, accentuated by the rich, nutty flavor of tahini. A subtle sweetness blends with the sesame aroma, sometimes enhanced with nutty or cocoa accents, making it a quintessential Egyptian delight.

Origin & History — first documented: 1750

Halawa has roots in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cultures, with Egypt adopting and adapting it over centuries. It became a popular delicacy by the 18th century in Cairo, celebrated for its flavor and simplicity.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 🥜 250 g tahini paste
  • 🍯 150 g sugar
  • 🧂 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 🥜 50 g pistachios
  • 🍋 1 tbsp lemon juice

Method

  1. 1 Heat sugar and lemon juice in a saucepan to dissolve.
  2. 2 Mix tahini with vanilla extract in a bowl.
  3. 3 Gradually pour sugar syrup into the tahini, stirring until thick.
  4. 4 Stir in pistachios, pour mixture into a mold, and set for 24 hours.

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All Africa recipes — Egypt — Cairo — Halawa
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