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Sesame paste, sugar, traditional Turkish sweet
In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
1 slice (medium) of Koska plain halva (30 g) has 162 calories. That works out to 540 calories per 100 g. It contains 13.2 g of carbs, 3.8 g of protein, 10.2 g of fat and 1.1 g of fiber. Its 0.5 mg of Copper covers 50% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 55 (medium), so it raises blood sugar at a moderate pace.
Selected: 1 slice (medium) · 30 g
162
KCAL / 30G
Carbs
13.2g
· 5% DV
Protein
3.8g
· 8% DV
Fat
10.2g
· 13% DV
Fiber
1.1g
· 4% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 33% · Protein 10% · Fat 57%
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 162 kcal | |
| Total fat | 10.2 g | 13% |
| Saturated fat | 1.65 g | 8% |
| Trans fat | 0 g | |
| Sodium | 9 mg | 0% |
| Total carbohydrate | 13.2 g | 5% |
| Fiber | 1.1 g | 4% |
| Protein | 3.8 g | 8% |
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 slice (medium) | 30 g | 162 kcal |
| 1 tablespoon (chopped) | 12 g | 65 kcal |
| 1 slice (thin) | 15 g | 81 kcal |
| 1 slice (thick) | 50 g | 270 kcal |
| 1 piece (large) | 60 g | 324 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 540 kcal |
| 1 piece (jumbo) | 100 g | 540 kcal |
| 1 pack (whole) | 200 g | 1080 kcal |
Calculated from 540 calories per 100 g.
Koska plain halva is a traditional Turkish sweet made primarily from tahini, a paste of ground sesame seeds, and sugar. Its dense, fibrous texture comes from the way the tahini mixture is worked; the plain version has no added cocoa or nut flavouring.
Koska plain halva is Turkish tahini halva, made with sesame paste, while Greek halva often refers to a semolina-based dessert cooked with oil or butter. The shared name can be confusing, so the key difference is the main ingredient and resulting texture.
Koska plain halva is traditionally served after fish in Turkey, especially at fish restaurants. It is a customary sweet ending, not a food that neutralizes mercury or cancels out anything in the fish.
Keep Koska plain halva tightly wrapped or in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Heat can encourage the sesame oil to separate and affect the texture, so avoid leaving the opened package near a stove or in a warm cupboard.
Yes, Koska plain halva can be crumbled into cakes, cookies, or warm desserts, or stirred into a filling. It already tastes sweet and sesame-rich, so reduce other sweeteners in the recipe and add it gradually to avoid overpowering the dish.
Yes, Koska plain halva can be frozen in an airtight container, preferably in portions. Thaw it before serving; freezing may make the texture drier or more crumbly, so it may work better as a baking ingredient afterward than as a neat slice.
Koska plain halva can look oily when sesame oil separates, particularly after exposure to warmth; a crumbly texture is also characteristic of this style of halva. Store it in a cool, dry place, but discard it if it develops an unusual smell or taste.
Yes, Koska plain halva pairs well with unsweetened coffee because the coffee’s bitterness balances the sweet, rich sesame flavour. Serve a small piece alongside Turkish coffee or espresso rather than stirring the halva into the drink.
People with diabetes may be able to include Koska plain halva in a planned portion, but its sugar contributes to the meal’s carbohydrate load. The suitable amount depends on an individual’s glucose-management plan, so ask your clinician or dietitian if you need personal guidance.
No, Koska plain halva is not a direct substitute for tahini: it contains sugar and has a firm, crumbly texture, while tahini is a smooth sesame paste. Use tahini when a recipe needs a pourable, unsweetened sesame ingredient.
Vitamins
B1
0.03mg · 3% DV
B6
0.05mg · 3% DV
Folate
10.5µg · 3% DV
B3
0.36mg · 2% DV
Minerals
Copper
0.45mg · 50% DV
Phosphorus
105mg · 15% DV
Calcium
120mg · 12% DV
Iron
1.95mg · 11% DV
Potassium ⭐
78mg · 2% DV
Sodium
9mg · 0% DV
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
To burn the 162 calories in 1 slice (medium) (30 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.
Koska plain halva is a traditional Turkish sweet made from tahini—ground sesame paste—and sugar. Unlike semolina halva, it has a sesame-rich base; the plain version keeps the flavour simple rather than adding cocoa or nuts.
Its dense, flaky texture breaks into soft, crumbly pieces and gradually melts in the mouth. In Turkey, it is commonly cut into slices and served with tea or coffee, either as a small treat after a meal or alongside breakfast. It is also sold in many countries, where it can be enjoyed in the same way or crumbled over fruit. Rich in fat and carbohydrates, with some protein, it is filling and energy-dense, so a modest slice is often enough.
Medium
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Medium
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
✓ Suitable
Paleo
— Not suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
SATURATED
1.65g
MONOUNSATURATED
3.9g
POLYUNSATURATED
3.9g
Omega 6:3 ratio 65:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (65:1).
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.