Plain Diet Halawa

Halawa, also spelled halva, is a dense, crumbly sweet made from tahini, the paste of ground sesame seeds. This is the plain version, known in Lebanon as halawa sada, meaning it comes without pistachios, chocolate or other additions. It is sold as a diet variety, a common alternative to regular halawa. In many Lebanese homes halawa is a breakfast staple, eaten with fresh bread or kaak, and it is also enjoyed with tea, as a quick snack, or crumbled over desserts. Plain diet halawa is sold by the piece at Dekenet Al Nes in Baaqline, in the Chouf. Dekenet Al Nes is a package-free grocery store and solidarity initiative that keeps basic goods affordable, and customers are encouraged to bring their own containers when they visit to help reduce single-use packaging.