What does Pistachio Halva Taste Like?
...Sweet is one of the five main tastes. It has smooth and round notes in its flavor profile. Sweet is a naturally occurring flavor in many foods, including fruits, berries, winter squashes, sugarcane, and honey. The sweet taste in these foods is due to a higher sugar content. Sweetness is characteristic of desserts and is used as an accent in savory foods.
...Umami is one of five main tastes. It is savory with a depth of flavor. Umami is a taste in many foods, including meat, seafood, beans, and nuts. It is both naturally occurring and created through the specific use of ingredients to create a satisfying taste. Umami is characteristic of proteins and savory dishes.
Ingredients
...Tahini is a paste and condiment made from ground sesame seeds. Sesame seeds are tiny and white, some varieties are red-brown or black. White sesame is usually used for tahini. This beige-grey paste is thick, oily and smooth with a hint of graininess. Some varieties are thinner than others and a bit runny. Tahini made with raw sesame seeds tastes very earthy, while tahini made with roasted sesame tastes warmer and rounded, but still earthy. Tahini can be bought salted or unsalted and is used in sauces and as a flavoring for foods.
...Sugar comes from sugar cane and sugar beets. The sugar is extracted from the juice of both plants and refined into the granulated substance known as sugar. Sucrose, the sweet substance of sugar is a combination of glucose and fructose. White sugar is composed of tiny white, dry granules. The flavor is sweet and neutral. Brown sugar is brown and has more moisture, with a richer flavor that hints at molasses. Sugar is used in both sweet and savory foods.
...The origin of pistachios is debated, with Central Asia as the most likely spot. The nut is a seed of the pistachio tree and has a hard cream colored shell, that easily cracks open. The nut has a brown skin that covers the pale green meat of pistachio. The nut is hard, but softer than an almond and creamier. The flavor is unique and buttery with a warm nutty taste. Roasted pistachios have a toasted and enhanced flavor.
...Vanilla extract is a flavoring used in baked goods, candies and drinks. It is made by infusing alcohol with vanilla pods or beans. This mixture sits for some months and is then strained. It is also extracted using heat and alcohol. The result of either is a thin brown liquid that smells and tastes like vanilla. It has a rich and gentle sweetness to its flavor.