Koska Almond Halva – Turkish Tahini Halva with Almond Paste, 500g

Koska has been making halva in Turkey since 1907. Over more than a century of craft, the Istanbul-based confectioner has earned a reputation as one of Turkey's foremost halva producers, now exporting to over 70 countries. This 500g block — Almond Paste Halva — is one of their most celebrated varieties.

The base is tahini: stone-ground sesame paste, the same foundation used in classic Turkish helva for generations. Into it goes almond paste, folded through so every slice carries both the deep, slightly bitter warmth of sesame and the soft, sweet richness of almond. The texture is the one tahini halva is known for — dense but yielding, with a gentle crumble when you press it, never waxy or sticky.

• Made by Koska — Turkey's iconic halva brand, in production since 1907
• Core ingredients: tahini (sesame paste) and almond paste
• Texture: firm, smooth, slightly crumbly — the hallmark of well-made tahini helva
• Naturally plant-based — no animal-derived ingredients in the base formulation
• 500g block — easy to slice; keeps well at room temperature once opened

Cut it thick and serve it alongside Turkish tea or coffee. It holds its shape on a plate, making it a natural choice for a mezze-style spread, a cheese board moment, or simply a quiet afternoon with a hot drink. In Turkey, halva is also a traditional gift — carried to friends, brought to gatherings, or packed as a meaningful souvenir.

If you know tahini halva from other traditions — Greek, Middle Eastern, Levantine — Koska's version will feel familiar but distinctly Turkish in its density and restraint. The almond paste variant adds a rounder sweetness compared to plain tahini halva, without tipping into sugary excess.