Today there are a large number of types of halva. The benefits and harms of sesame halva, as well as many of its other varieties, completely depend on the components used in the production process. Among all this variety of delicacies, special attention is paid to tahini halva. This product has not only beneficial properties, but also unusual taste and rich composition. If necessary, you can prepare sesame dessert yourself at home, following the recipe.
What is tahini halva made from?
The recipe for making tahini delicacy is known only to specialists involved in the production of oriental sweets, and it is kept secret. It is for this reason that the taste of the finished product and its beneficial properties vary depending on the country.
For example, some specialists mix all the necessary ingredients by hand and do not recognize any other method. It is believed that this is the only way that oriental sesame sweets acquire airiness and unique taste.
The main ingredients are:
- sesame protein mass;
- honey;
- granulated sugar;
- syrup;
- foaming agent
It would seem that preparing it yourself is not so difficult, you just need to mix all the ingredients and put the mass under a press for a while, but it’s not so simple. Mixing all the ingredients is an art, in the process of which it is customary to adhere to secret technologies.
Recipe with coconut flakes
Of course, it’s much easier to go to the store and buy a ready-made dessert. However, we should not forget that the purchased product contains various preservatives, which not only increase the shelf life of the delicacy, but also negatively affect our health. Therefore, it is better to spend a little time and make sesame halwa yourself. Moreover, the technology for its preparation is so simple that even an inexperienced housewife can handle it without any problems. To make healthy homemade sesame halva, you should stock up on all the ingredients in advance. In this case you will need:
- Two hundred and fifty grams of butter.
- A teaspoon of vanilla.
- One hundred and fifty grams of sesame.
- A tablespoon of cocoa.
- One hundred grams of milk powder and powdered sugar.
Composition and calorie content of sesame halva
If we consider the composition and beneficial properties of sesame halva, it is worth noting that the original delicacy cannot be compared with anything else. In addition to taste, the product is also rich in biochemical composition.
For every 100 g there are about 510 kcal. Such a rich energy composition was obtained thanks to:
- proteins – 13 g;
- fats - 30 g;
- carbohydrates – 51 g.
In addition to these elements, the finished product includes the following components, as a result of which the delicacy has the following beneficial properties:
- protein;
- magnesium;
- iron;
- calcium;
- sodium;
- phosphorus;
- zinc;
- potassium;
- copper;
- food acid.
Few sweets can boast such a set of elements. That is why it is not recommended to get carried away with halva, despite its beneficial properties, because it can cause significant harm to your health.
Classic recipe
To pamper your family with a delicious dessert, you don’t have to buy a store-bought version. It is much healthier and safer to feed them homemade treats. In order for you to get real sesame halva, the recipe for which will be discussed below, you should prepare all the necessary ingredients in advance. You will need:
- A glass of wheat flour.
- One hundred and fifty grams of sugar.
- A glass of sesame seeds.
- Seventy-five milliliters of milk.
- Four tablespoons of sunflower oil.
In order for the finished delicacy to acquire a rich, pleasant aroma, a little vanillin is added to it. Those who do not like this spice can avoid using it.
Benefits of sesame halva for the body
Before purchasing and starting to consume tahini halva, take into account the benefits and harm to the body in advance. If you use the product regularly and in acceptable quantities, you can count on the following:
- due to the large amount of fatty acids, lipid metabolism improves, which prevents the accumulation of cholesterol;
- if you eat up to 20 g of product daily, the body will be completely saturated with the micro- and macroelements necessary for normal functioning;
- prevents iron deficiency in the body;
- Vitamins of groups A, B and E have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the body.
Tahini sweetness can replace chocolate and lift your mood and relieve depression.
Sequencing
It is advisable to remove the oil from the refrigerator in advance. When the product warms to room temperature, it is transferred to a ladle and melted over low heat. After a few minutes, sesame seeds are added to it and fried until a pleasant golden hue appears.
The container is removed from the stove, cooled a little and coconut shavings are sent into it. Mix everything well. Cocoa, vanilla and powdered sugar are added to the resulting mass. Lastly, pour dry milk into the saucepan and mix everything thoroughly again. After about ten minutes, the finished “dough” is placed in a mold previously lined with cling film, carefully leveled using a regular spoon and put in the refrigerator. After a couple of hours, the frozen sesame halva is completely ready for use. Before serving, the dessert is cut into cubes.
Can I have sesame halva?
Just like sesame, tahini-peanut halva can bring both benefit and harm to the human body in equal measure. Before you start eating this product, you should understand that it is high in calories. Among the main components that are included in the composition are:
- nuts;
- sesame;
- sunflower seeds.
We recommend reading: What are the benefits of peanut butter, composition and calorie content?
On the one hand, the product can cause a strong allergic reaction, and on the other hand, due to its properties, it can be very useful for the body. Since sesame delicacy is a rather complex product that can cause disturbances in the digestive system not only in adults, but also in children, it must be consumed with extreme caution.
Pregnant women
You should always take into account the benefits and harms of sesame halva for pregnant women. As a rule, the daily consumption rate is about 50 g. In the early stages of pregnancy, a woman can afford the same amount of product. It is worth considering that gradually the consumption of sesame delicacies needs to be reduced, as a result of which in the last months of pregnancy it should be completely excluded from the diet.
Since this product is high in calories, there is a chance of gaining excess weight. If you do not give up the treat in the last stages of pregnancy, this may cause an allergic reaction in the newborn to the components included in the composition.
Advice! Before you start consuming sesame halva, you should consult your doctor. This is due to the fact that with its properties the product can cause not only benefit, but also harm to both the expectant mother and the child.
Nursing mothers
Undoubtedly, sesame halva has benefits for women during lactation. It is recommended to use the product in small portions, and it is necessary to monitor the newborn’s reaction. If you use this product during lactation, it will have a beneficial effect on the fat content of breast milk.
Thanks to its beneficial properties, sesame halva can help a woman recover after childbirth, improve her mood, and prevent the onset of postpartum depression. Also, this delicacy allows the child to grow and develop faster due to the large amount of vitamins.
Invaluable and useful properties include:
- can significantly improve a woman’s condition with anemia;
- helps cleanse the blood;
- has a beneficial effect on the digestive system;
- increases the level of performance;
- allows you to get rid of depression.
Due to the content of a large number of amino acids and proteins, it promotes health and increases mental activity.
For children
Many parents begin to introduce halva into their child’s diet from the age of 2. Pediatricians advise not to rush, because the product can easily get stuck in the teeth, thereby causing harm to the child rather than the benefit that parents expect. In addition to the appearance of caries, there is a possibility that the child will simply choke.
The optimal age is considered to be 6 years. During this period, you can give the child about 5-10 g of treats, but you need to monitor his reaction. If an allergic reaction does not appear, then you can gradually increase it to 30 g. It is recommended that children consume halva no more than 3 times a week. In any case, before you start introducing a new product into your child’s diet, you must first consult with your pediatrician. This approach will bring health benefits and eliminate the risk of harm.
Attention! Sesame halva containing fructose can also be beneficial for the body.
What are the benefits of sesame?
Sesame is considered one of the oldest seasonings known and revered by mankind. Historians found a fragmentary anonymous papyrus that contained medical texts and notes. One of the largest blocks of papyrus belongs to an ancient Roman healer. There he describes the most useful plants, which include sesame.
The plant contains phytosterols. They strengthen the protective functions of the immune system and prevent viruses from entering the body. Phytosterols build special protection that eliminates bacteria and has a beneficial effect on the functioning of internal organs.
Sesame is a real storehouse of calcium. 100 grams of seeds contain 1.4 grams of calcium. The composition is also rich in retinol (A), B vitamins, ascorbic acid (C), tocopherol (E), phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg). Nutrients help the body fight stress and harmonize the functioning of the heart and lungs. Vitamins are responsible for relieving bronchospasms and enhancing brain activity. Regular use of sesame will increase stamina and help you remember/analyze large amounts of information faster and more efficiently.
Sesame contains phytin. This is an important component that regulates internal mineral balance.
Another important element of the composition is sesamin. The component regulates metabolic processes in our body. It speeds up metabolism and improves the absorption of foods. Sesamin will help get rid of extra centimeters on the waist and tame physiologically unjustified appetite.
Useful amino acids, proteins, vitamins will affect not only internal, but also external health. Sesame will make your hair healthier, your nails longer, and your skin cleaner. But don't overuse the supplement. Sesame is a very high-calorie food product. It’s enough just to add a pinch of seeds to a salad, hot dish or soup to saturate the body and get the desired effect.
Homemade sesame halwa recipe
Making sesame halva yourself at home, although problematic, is possible. The preparation method is as follows:
- You need to take 2 tbsp. sesame seeds and flour, 200 g sugar, 100 ml milk, 6 tbsp. l. vegetable oil and vanilla sugar (small amount).
- In a hot frying pan without adding vegetable oil, fry sesame seeds until golden brown. If necessary, you can buy roasted sesame seeds, but the price will be much higher.
- The roasted seeds are placed in a blender.
- Start frying the flour.
- Granulated sugar is added to the milk and the syrup is boiled.
- Sesame is ground to an oily mass, then mixed with flour, butter and syrup.
- After this, you need to knead the mass, make it homogeneous, give it any shape and let it cool at room temperature.
As a flavor enhancer, you can add coconut, chopped nuts, poppy seeds, and cocoa.
General characteristics of the product
Halva is an oriental dessert made from sugar, roasted nuts/seeds and caramel mass. The sweet mass is formed using sugar syrup and molasses. There are many variations of the dessert. The taste and nutritional value of the product is determined by the main component: sunflower seeds, peanuts, nuts, sesame or a combination of several ingredients.
Content:
- General characteristics of the product
- What are the benefits of sesame?
- Chemical composition of tahini halva
- How to prepare halva
- Can halva be classified as a healthy food?
Natural flavorings are usually added to halva to complement the buttery, nutty taste. Most often it is chocolate, vanilla, dried fruits or an additional portion of chopped nuts/seeds.
The calorie content of halva varies from 500 to 600 kcal per 100 grams of product. This is quite a high indicator for sweetness. Even a small piece of dessert will help satisfy your hunger and give you energy until your next meal.
The asteroid “518 halva” was named after the sweet. The celestial body was discovered by American astronomer Raymond Dugan in 1903. His gastronomic love for halva was so strong that he decided to immortalize the name of the sweet in cosmic history.
Harm of sesame halva and contraindications
Sesame-peanut halva brings not only benefits, but also harm, because in some cases side effects can be observed if this product is abused. Before use, it is recommended to consider a number of important points:
- Most often, an allergic reaction is observed to sesame and soap root, so before starting to use the product, you should consult a specialist, as there is a high probability of harm to health;
- tahini products can cause diathesis in children due to the high sugar content;
- Sesame halva is high in calories, due to its high content of fats and carbohydrates;
- Abuse of products can cause increased metabolism.
If you ignore these nuances, the product can cause harm to health, for example, cause a persistent allergic reaction and promote rapid weight gain.
Can halva be classified as a healthy food?
Most of the halva, which is prepared in large factories. contains an abundance of white sugar, stabilizers, flavor enhancers, flavorings and other achievements of the gastronomic industry. Why is this bad and what are the consequences of eating such halva?
Refined sugar
The product is empty calories that are devoid of vitamins, minerals and, accordingly, benefits. Consumption of refined sugar is fraught with:
- development of metabolic syndrome;
- diseases of the heart and blood vessels;
- obesity;
- diabetes mellitus;
- liver diseases;
- internal inflammatory processes;
- excessive accumulation of visceral fat, which interferes with the quality functioning of internal organs;
- increasing the risk of developing cancer.
Nutritionists have long called sugar the main drug of modern humanity. The product is truly addictive, which is similar to drug addiction. Sugar stimulates the production of dopamine, which is responsible for feelings of pleasure and genuine happiness.
Industrial processing
The finished halva can be stored for a long time and contains sugar, salt, trans fats, preservatives and flavor enhancers. The contradictory composition is also supported by the nutritional properties of the product. One bar may contain half the daily calorie requirement, but the product will lag behind in terms of BJU indicators. This is fraught with abnormal weight gain, deterioration in body quality, uncontrolled appetite and psychological problems with nutrition.
The danger of industrial additives lies in the consequences of use. These include: obesity, specific allergic reaction, diabetes, acne, internal inflammatory processes. The most dangerous preservatives that can be in halva: artificial colors E 102, 110, 124, 133, flavor enhancer E 621, taste/color fixer E 320.
Artificial sweeteners
The “sugar-free” label can be very tempting for the buyer and beneficial for the company. Instead of refined sugar, unscrupulous manufacturers may use artificial sweeteners rather than natural ones (honey, coconut sugar, maple syrup).
To avoid being scammed, you need to carefully study the composition of the product before purchasing.
Artificial sweeteners can interfere with the body's natural response to glucose. This will lead to disruption of metabolic processes and failure of the entire digestion. Moreover, sweeteners do not satisfy the psychological need for sweets. The components do not give the desired reaction to the brain, so it “does not notice” what it has eaten and demands more. The result is overeating, metabolic failure, eating disorders.
How to choose sesame halva
Considering that sesame halva brings benefits and harm to the human body, then it is necessary to choose the right product with preserved beneficial properties. Before purchasing you should follow some recommendations:
- since halva does not tolerate sunlight, the packaging must be sealed and made of foil;
- if oil discharge is visible on the surface of the product, this indicates that the production technology has been violated;
- when cutting, the shape is maintained, no crumbling is observed;
- complete absence of hard caramel veins. If they are present, then the technology is broken;
- the cut is smooth.
If you choose a product carefully, you can purchase really high-quality and healthy sesame halva, which will not harm the body if you eat it wisely.
Who is this dessert contraindicated for?
Like any other product, sesame halva, the benefits of which have long been known throughout the world, can cause harm to the human body. It is advisable to exclude it from the diet of those who have been diagnosed with increased blood clotting.
Also, this delicacy is not recommended for children under three years of age. This is due to the fact that it contains a high concentration of fat, the breakdown of which the child’s body cannot cope with. In addition, sesame halva should not appear in the diet of people suffering from individual intolerance to one or more components used for its preparation.
Recipe with dates
This option differs from the previous ones in that it contains no sugar. Therefore, this dessert is not only tasty, but also very healthy. They can be treated not only to adults, but also to children. To prepare this halva you will need:
- One hundred grams of sesame.
- A handful of dates.
- Fifty grams of peanuts.
- A couple of tablespoons of natural honey.
Sesame and peanuts are put into a coffee grinder and turned into flour. Add crushed dates and honey to the resulting mass. Beat everything well with a blender or rub it with your palms. The resulting “dough” is placed in a mold lined with cling film, carefully pressed and put in the refrigerator. After about an hour, sesame halva is completely ready for use. The longer the dessert stays in the refrigerator, the better it will keep its desired shape.
