TOP 5 best producers of sunflower halva: rating, taste, which one to choose, comparison with analogues

Halva is an oriental delicacy popular in the post-Soviet space with high nutritional properties. A dessert based on crushed seeds and caramel syrup is good for the heart and blood vessels, prevents the development of atherosclerosis and cancer cells. There are many varieties of halva, but it is sunflower that is in the greatest demand in our country.

All the benefits of the product come to naught if an unscrupulous manufacturer uses synthetic additives to reduce the cost of raw materials. We studied the market and collected the TOP 5 of the most popular types of sunflower halva to study their composition and characteristics. We will also tell you how to choose the right halva in the store and which copies should be avoided.

Rating TOP 5 sunflower halva

In descending order of popularity, the halva rating is as follows:

"Azovskaya"

Classic halva from sunflower seeds according to traditional Arabic recipes. It is characterized by a beige-gray color with a slight matte sheen. It has a soft and crumbly texture, rich aroma of roasted seeds and vanilla. There is a slight astringency and nutty notes in the aftertaste.

Manufactured according to the manufacturer's specifications. Contains artificial vanillin flavor, no preservatives. The shelf life is 5 months.

An incredibly tasty treat, and also quite satisfying. It sticks to the teeth, but not strongly, as befits this product. As part of nothing superfluous and the price is quite budget.

"Timosha"

A confectionery product from pounded sunflower seeds in a flow-pack. The oriental sweetness has a layered fibrous texture with caramel and toasted grain aromas. Halva pressed in briquette format has a fine grinding and dense structure. When cutting, it lends itself easily, the cut is loose and uniform in color.

Manufactured according to the manufacturer's specifications. Product shelf life: 8 months.

Halva with a traditional taste, like in childhood, should be liked by those with a sweet tooth. I recommend drinking something savory.

"Mishkino Happiness"

Sunflower halva in a translucent package of 500 g. Product with a delicate and crumbly consistency, amenable to cutting into neat slices. The color of the product is grayish-beige with sparse white fibers and the smallest impregnations of seeds, the surface is shiny. The sweetness is quite mild in texture and tends to melt in the mouth.

Contains no trans fats or preservatives. The product is usable within six months from the date of manufacture.

The most delicious halva of all that I have tried. There is a pleasure — it is very fresh, soft and melting in the mouth. And the price is quite adequate, I did not find any minuses at all.

"Golitsin"

Halva from sunflower kernels on fructose without added sugar. The product is pale gray with whitish blotches. The briquette is quite soft, while it has a high density, little crumbles. Maintains its shape when cut. Small particles of seed skins may be found.

Suitable for diabetic diets. The shelf life is 6 months.

Surprisingly, it does not differ in taste from halva with sugar. The consistency is very pleasant, the product itself is rather moist, but not oily. I am glad that there is no sugar in it, but the price is frustrating.

"ARO"

An oriental sweetness made from ground sunflower seeds in a flow-pack. It has a dense structure and a grayish-beige shade with the smallest particles of seed husks. The product smells like sunflower oil and vanilla. The bar is well cut into pieces, crumbles to a minimum.

The product is supplied for sale in the shopping center “METRo Cash & Carry”. Shelf life: no more than 6 months from the date of production.

The product is excellent for its price. To taste - the most ordinary halva, exactly what you expect from it. It is not inferior to analogs, which at the same time are much more expensive.

Best lists

All participants in the rating have a relatively good composition and good tasting properties. Depending on the batch and storage conditions, there is always a risk of stumbling upon a substandard sample, even from a trusted brand. Based on customer reviews and the characteristics of the samples under study, we have selected three copies of halva, worthy of special attention.

"Azovskaya" - the choice of buyers

Perhaps, it is “Azovskaya” halva that is in the greatest demand among consumers, most often this particular brand is found in stores. The product has a good composition, classic taste and reasonable price. The presence of vanillin as an artificial flavoring agent, unfortunately, is found in almost every store sample: on the other hand, replacing it with a natural one would also affect the price tag.

"Mishkino happiness" - high organoleptic properties

The enthusiastic customer reviews of this sample eloquently make it clear how delicious the product is. The phrase “melts in your mouth” is found in almost every second review of halva. It is worth noting that Mishkino Happiness leads in expert ratings of halva, such as Roskontrol and NashPotrebnadzor on NTV. This allows us to speak not only about the excellent organoleptic properties, but also about the exemplary quality of this confectionery.

"Golitsin" - an alternative without sugar content

When sugar is banned, there is a solution for those who miss their favorite treat. The manufacturer produces sweets based on fructose, which taste no different from sugar counterparts. Consumers appreciate the taste and consistency of halva highly: the natural sweetener did not reduce the organoleptic properties of the product.The downside in this case is that alternative confectionery products under the Golitsin brand are two or even three times more expensive than conventional ones.

Useful properties of halva

Halva is a high-calorie product, so its use should be limited to those who care about their figure. In small quantities, the delicacy will not only not harm, on the contrary, it will help to strengthen the body and make up for the deficiency of nutrients:

• The dessert contains a large amount of vegetable fats, which in turn are rich in polyunsaturated acids. This makes the product easy to digest and helps lower cholesterol levels.
• Dietary fiber contained in a large amount stimulates the digestive tract and improves intestinal motility.
• The high level of vitamin E and antioxidants has a beneficial effect on reproductive function, prevents aging and the development of atherosclerosis.
• Halva is a natural prophylactic against oncological diseases due to the high content of cold-pressed vegetable oil.
• The treat contains a lot of nutrients for healthy hair and skin. Sunflower seeds help prevent hair loss: they strengthen hair follicles and stimulate growth. Halva is also a good addition to the prevention of anemia due to its high iron content.
• The product is recommended for people with high and low blood pressure, as well as cardiovascular pathologies.

Halva is contraindicated in diabetes, allergies or individual intolerance, gastritis and obesity.

What to look for when choosing halva in a store

Eastern sweetness is not an exotic rarity - it can be purchased at any grocery store. Of course, the product will be very different from its authentic counterparts, which can be purchased in the markets of Turkey or Iran. Nevertheless, you can still find a decent copy. To choose a quality halva, several important criteria must be taken into account:

• First of all, you need to properly study the label. Classic halva should consist of three ingredients: sugar syrup, halvin (a mixture of seeds or nuts) and soap (or licorice) root. There should be no additional preservatives, emulsifiers and colorants in the composition. Otherwise, there can be no question of any naturalness.
• The delicacy quickly deteriorates after opening, so the tightness of the package is important. Ideally, it should be vacuum - it keeps the freshness of the product for up to several months. Halva in bulk can be stored for no more than 1 month.
• The appearance of a dessert can tell a lot about its quality. The block should have a fibrous structure and resemble limestone. Too wet and oily halva is a sign of a violation of the manufacturing technology or storage conditions. The color should be uniform, without pronounced dark or light spots. Large white fibers on the cut are solidified caramel, its presence in large quantities indicates poor mixing.
• The deterioration of the product is evidenced by a distinct bitterness in the taste and the absence of a vegetable-nutty aroma. It should also alert the dark bloom on the surface of the confectionery.