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A dense, dark gray-black sweet made from finely ground poppy seeds, cut into compact slices with a slightly grainy, crumbly surface and served on a plate.
⚡High Potassium
🌿High Fiber

Poppy seed halva Calories

Energy-dense seed-based sweet

CALORIES · 100 G

512kcal

GI

48medium

POTASSIUM · 100 G

430mg

FIBER · 100 G

6.9g

Quick answer

1 piece (medium) of Poppy seed halva (35 g) has 179 calories. That works out to 512 calories per 100 g. It contains 14.6 g of carbs, 4.3 g of protein, 11.8 g of fat and 2.4 g of fiber. Its 0.4 mg of Copper covers 45% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 48 (medium), so it raises blood sugar at a moderate pace.

Poppy seed halva Nutrition Facts

Selected: 1 piece (medium) · 35 g

179

KCAL / 35G

Carbs

14.6g

· 5% DV

Protein

4.3g

· 9% DV

Fat

11.8g

· 15% DV

Fiber

2.4g

· 9% DV

DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.

Calories come from: Carbs 32% · Protein 9% · Fat 59%

Poppy seed halva nutrition facts table · 1 piece (medium) (35 g)

NutrientAmount% DV
Calories179 kcal
Total fat11.8 g15%
Saturated fat1.43 g7%
Trans fat0 g
Sodium20 mg1%
Total carbohydrate14.6 g5%
Fiber2.4 g9%
Protein4.3 g9%

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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How Many Calories in 1 Medium Poppy seed halva?

ServingAmountCalories
1 piece (medium)35 g179 kcal
1 tablespoon (grated)18 g92 kcal
1 piece (small)20 g102 kcal
1 slice (thin)25 g128 kcal
2 tablespoon (grated)36 g184 kcal
1 slice (thick)45 g230 kcal
1 piece (large)55 g282 kcal
½ cup (diced)70 g358 kcal
1 serving (large)85 g435 kcal
100 g100 g512 kcal

Calculated from 512 calories per 100 g.

Frequently Asked Questions About Poppy seed halva

What is poppy seed halva made of?

Poppy seed halva is made primarily from ground poppy seeds combined with a sweet binder, often sugar syrup. Recipes vary: some include tahini or other ingredients, so the texture can range from firm and crumbly to dense and slightly chewy.

What does poppy seed halva taste like?

Poppy seed halva has a sweet, rich taste with a distinct roasted, nutty flavor from the seeds. It is usually denser and more earthy-tasting than sesame-based halva, though the exact flavor depends on how the seeds are roasted and what else is added.

How is poppy seed halva different from tahini halva?

Poppy seed halva is based on ground poppy seeds, while tahini halva gets its main flavor from sesame paste. Both are sweet, dense confections, but poppy seed halva tends to taste earthier, whereas tahini halva has a more pronounced sesame flavor.

Where does poppy seed halva come from?

Poppy seed halva is a regional variation of halva found in Turkey, particularly associated with Afyonkarahisar, where poppy seeds are widely used in local cooking. Halva itself is made in many countries, but recipes and main ingredients differ from place to place.

How do you serve poppy seed halva?

Serve poppy seed halva in small pieces, either on its own or alongside tea or coffee. Its sweet, concentrated flavor also works as part of a dessert plate; it does not need extra sweetening, and a little can be enough after a meal.

Can you make poppy seed halva at home?

Yes, poppy seed halva can be made at home by combining ground, often toasted poppy seeds with a hot sugar syrup and pressing the mixture into a mold. Homemade versions may include tahini, and careful mixing helps the halva set evenly.

Can poppy seed halva get you high?

No, eating ordinary poppy seed halva does not get you high. Food-grade poppy seeds come from the same plant associated with opium, but properly cleaned seeds do not have an intoxicating effect when eaten in a normal serving.

Can poppy seed halva cause a positive drug test?

It is possible for foods containing poppy seeds to affect some drug tests, depending on seed residues, the amount eaten, and the test. The risk from halva varies; avoiding it before a scheduled test can help reduce the chance of a misleading result.

How should you store poppy seed halva?

Keep poppy seed halva in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight and heat. Moisture can change its texture and encourage spoilage; homemade halva with a moist consistency is better stored in the refrigerator.

Can you use poppy seed halva in baking?

Yes, you can crumble poppy seed halva into cakes, cookies, or pastry fillings for sweetness and a roasted seed flavor. Since it is already sweet and dense, reduce other sweet ingredients in the recipe and add it where its texture will remain noticeable.

Poppy seed halva Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins

B1

0.3mg · 25% DV

Biotin

2.1µg · 7% DV

Folate

23.8µg · 6% DV

B2

0.06mg · 5% DV

Minerals

Copper

0.4mg · 44% DV

Manganese

0.84mg · 37% DV

Calcium

343mg · 34% DV

Phosphorus

224mg · 32% DV

Potassium ⭐

151mg · 4% DV

Sodium

20mg · 1% DV

Poppy seed halva Glycemic Index

GLYCEMIC INDEX

48
Medium
0 Low5570100

GLYCEMIC LOAD

7
Low

Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.

How to Burn Off Poppy seed halva

To burn the 179 calories in 1 piece (medium) (35 g):

🚶

44min

Walking (5 km/h)

🏃

18min

Running (8 km/h)

🚴

24min

Cycling

🏊

21min

Swimming

Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.

What is Poppy seed halva?

Poppy seed halva is a dense sweet made by combining ground poppy seeds with sugar or syrup. It is associated with regions of Turkey where poppies are grown, and recipes vary: some versions are smooth and paste-like, while others have a firmer, crumbly texture.

Its flavour is nutty and gently roasted, balanced by a pronounced sweetness. In Turkey, it is commonly offered in small pieces with tea or served as a sweet after a meal; elsewhere, it can be enjoyed in the same way as other rich, sliceable halvas. Made largely from seeds, it is energy-dense and provides some protein and fibre. A modest piece with unsweetened tea makes a satisfying treat without adding more sweetness.

How Nutritious Is Poppy seed halva?

Nutrient density

Medium

49/ 100

How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.

Satiety score

Medium

49/ 100

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.

Is Poppy seed halva Processed?

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.

Does Poppy seed halva Contain Allergens?

Contains these allergens:

Gluten free
Dairy free
Eggs free
Peanuts free
Tree nuts yes
Fish free
Soy free
Sesame yes

Which Diets Is Poppy seed halva Good For?

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

Poppy seed halva Fat Profile

SATURATED

1.43g

MONOUNSATURATED

2.34g

POLYUNSATURATED

6.61g

⚖️

Omega 6:3 ratio 161:1

Above the ideal 4:1 (161:1).

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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.