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Classic Turkish sweet, crisp halva made with flour, sugar, and butter
In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
1 piece (medium) of Borek helva (40 g) has 188 calories. That works out to 470 calories per 100 g. It contains 26 g of carbs, 2.2 g of protein, 8 g of fat and 0.6 g of fiber. Its glycemic index is 65 (high), so it raises blood sugar quickly.
Selected: 1 piece (medium) · 40 g
188
KCAL / 40G
Carbs
26g
· 9% DV
Protein
2.2g
· 4% DV
Fat
8g
· 10% DV
Fiber
0.6g
· 2% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 56% · Protein 5% · Fat 39%
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 188 kcal | |
| Total fat | 8 g | 10% |
| Saturated fat | 3 g | 15% |
| Trans fat | 0.08 g | |
| Sodium | 48 mg | 2% |
| Total carbohydrate | 26 g | 9% |
| Fiber | 0.6 g | 2% |
| Protein | 2.2 g | 4% |
Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.
Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.
Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.
Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.
Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.
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| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 piece (medium) | 40 g | 188 kcal |
| 1 piece (small) | 25 g | 118 kcal |
| 1 slice (thin) | 35 g | 165 kcal |
| 1 slice (thick) | 50 g | 235 kcal |
| 1 piece (large) | 60 g | 282 kcal |
| 2 piece (double) | 80 g | 376 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 470 kcal |
| 1 serving (large) | 100 g | 470 kcal |
Calculated from 470 calories per 100 g.
Borek helva is a traditional Turkish sweet made with flour, sugar, and butter, with a crisp texture. It is a prepared, processed dessert—not a savoury pastry, despite the word “börek” in its name.
No, Borek helva is not made with phyllo dough. The name can suggest a pastry, but this sweet is a flour-based halva made with butter and sugar and shaped to give it a crisp texture.
Borek helva tastes sweet and buttery, with a toasted flavour from the cooked flour. Its crisp, sometimes crumbly texture sets it apart from softer halva varieties; it is typically eaten in small pieces.
To make Borek helva, flour is cooked with butter until toasted, then combined with sugar and shaped before it cools. Careful stirring helps prevent scorching, while shaping the mixture while it is workable helps it hold together.
Borek helva can soften when it absorbs moisture from the air or is stored in a container that is not airtight. Let it cool fully before covering it, then keep it in a dry place to help preserve its crispness.
Borek helva is usually eaten at room temperature rather than served hot. Cooling helps its shape and crisp texture set, so allow freshly made helva to cool before serving.
Borek helva pairs well with unsweetened tea or coffee, which balances its sweetness without competing with its buttery, toasted flavour. Serve it in small pieces as a dessert or alongside a hot drink.
Yes, Borek helva can be frozen in an airtight container, though thawing may make it less crisp. Let it thaw at room temperature and avoid freezing it again once it has thawed.
Borek helva can be made with a different cooking fat, but changing the butter may alter its flavour and texture. Butter is part of the classic version and contributes to its rich, toasted taste.
People with diabetes should account for Borek helva as a sweet made with flour and sugar, rather than treating it as a low-sugar dessert. A doctor or dietitian can advise how it fits an individual blood-glucose plan.
Vitamins
Vitamin A
24µg · 3% DV
B1
0.03mg · 3% DV
Biotin
0.6µg · 2% DV
Vitamin E
0.28mg · 2% DV
Minerals
Manganese
0.08mg · 3% DV
Phosphorus
24mg · 3% DV
Copper
0.03mg · 3% DV
Iron
0.44mg · 2% DV
Sodium
48mg · 2% DV
Potassium ⭐
28mg · 1% DV
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
To burn the 188 calories in 1 piece (medium) (40 g):
🚶
Walking (5 km/h)
🏃
Running (8 km/h)
🚴
Cycling
🏊
Swimming
Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.
Borek helva is a traditional Turkish sweet made with flour, butter and sugar. The flour is cooked with butter and sweetened, giving the halva its characteristically crisp texture. Despite its name, it is not a savoury börek pastry.
In Turkey, it is often broken or cut into small pieces and served with tea, including at gatherings and festive meals. Its rich sweetness makes a modest portion satisfying. At 470 calories per 100 g, it is an energy-dense treat; serve a thin piece with unsweetened tea if you would like a lighter accompaniment.
Low
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Low
An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.
Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.
NOVA 3
Processed
1. Unprocessed
2. Minimally Processed
3. Processed
4. Ultra-Processed
NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.
Contains these allergens:
Vegan
— Not suitable
Vegetarian
✓ Suitable
Gluten-Free
— Not suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
— Not suitable
Paleo
— Not suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
SATURATED
3g
MONOUNSATURATED
2.88g
POLYUNSATURATED
0.88g
Omega 6:3 ratio 44:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (44:1).
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.