What Is Greek Halva? A Guide to Halva Drapetsonas
Handmade since 1924 from sesame tahini, with no additives or preservatives. The story, benefits and uses of an authentic Greek sweet.
Posted June 2026 · Galanis Foods Journal
So, what exactly is halva?
Greek halva is a traditional sweet made from tahini, which is finely crushed sesame seeds, blended with sugar into a dense, fudge-like confection. It has a creamy, slightly crumbly texture and a rich, nutty flavour, and it has been enjoyed across Greece and the wider eastern Mediterranean for generations. Because it is built around sesame rather than dairy or eggs, halva is naturally vegan and has long been valued as both a treat and a nourishing everyday food.
At Galanis Foods, the halva we bring to Australia comes from one of the most respected names in the craft: Kosmidi Gavrili, the makers of the famous Halva Drapetsonas. In this guide, we'll explain where Greek halva comes from, what makes this one special, why it's good for you, and the many ways to enjoy it at home.
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Greek Halva — Halva Drapetsonas
Handmade by Kosmidi Gavrili since 1924. Classic vanilla, cocoa, chocolate, almond and pistachio.
Shop the Halva Range →One hundred years of Halva Drapetsonas
The story of this halva begins in 1924, in Drapetsona, a working-class neighbourhood of Piraeus near Athens. The workshop was founded by Kostas Mezardasoglou, a refugee from Asia Minor who arrived in Greece after the Asia Minor Catastrophe, bringing with him the sesame-craft traditions of his homeland. What began as one family's livelihood grew into a local institution, and the name Halva Drapetsonas became shorthand for halva done properly.
In 1986, the business passed to Efmorfios Kosmidis and Nikos Gavrilis, whose names the workshop carries today. Together with their associates, they have kept the original methods alive while broadening the range to include other quality confectionery. A century on, the halva is still kneaded by hand, exactly as it was in the beginning. You can read more about the family behind it on the Kosmidi Gavrili producer page.
Made by hand since
Why Quality Matters
1924
One Hundred Years of Craft
From a single refugee workshop in Drapetsona to one of Greece's most loved halva makers, kneaded by hand for a century.
What makes this Greek halva different
Plenty of halva is mass-produced with cheap fats and additives. Kosmidi Gavrili takes the opposite approach. Their Halva Drapetsonas is the only Greek halva available in Australia made without hydrogenated vegetable oil or palm oil, kneaded by hand from GMO-free ingredients. The result is a noticeably creamier, fluffier texture and a cleaner, more honest sesame flavour.
No Additives or Preservatives
Made the traditional way, with a short, honest ingredient list led by sesame tahini.
No Palm or Hydrogenated Oil
The only Greek halva in Australia made without hydrogenated vegetable oil or palm oil.
Handmade & GMO-Free
Kneaded by hand from high-quality, GMO-free ingredients for a creamy, fluffy texture.
Naturally Vegan
Built on sesame, not dairy or eggs, so it's a delicious dessert everyone can share.
The benefits of halva
Halva is one of those rare sweets that brings real nutrition to the table. Its main ingredient, tahini, is made entirely from crushed sesame seeds, which are a good source of plant protein, healthy unsaturated fats, fibre and minerals such as calcium, iron and magnesium. Because Kosmidi Gavrili keeps the recipe simple and skips the cheap fats, you taste the sesame rather than filler. Enjoyed in moderation, a square of halva is a satisfying, energy-rich treat that has been regarded across Greece as a wholesome dessert for generations.
How to Enjoy ItDelicious ways to use Greek halva
Part of the joy of halva is how versatile it is. Here are some of our favourite ways to enjoy it, from the simplest to the more adventurous.
On Its Own
Slice a piece and serve with a strong Greek coffee. The classic pairing, and still the best.
With Fruit & Honey
Crumble over Greek yoghurt with fresh figs and a drizzle of honey for an easy dessert or breakfast.
Baked or Crumbled
Fold crumbled halva through cookies, brownies or ice cream for a nutty, fudgy ribbon of flavour.
On a Grazing Board
Add slices to a cheese or mezze platter alongside nuts and dried fruit for a sweet-savoury finish.
A flavour for every halva lover
Kosmidi Gavrili makes its halva in a range of varieties, so there's something for every palate. The classic vanilla is the place to start, while the cocoa and chocolate versions add a richer, dessert-like depth. For texture and crunch, look to the versions studded with whole almonds or pistachios.
Beyond halva: coconut bars and pasteli
The same century-old workshop also makes Greek-style coconut bars and traditional sesame pasteli bars sweetened with honey, all found in our wider sweet treats range.
A century on, the halva is still kneaded by hand, exactly as it was in 1924.
If you love the natural, additive-free philosophy behind this halva, you'll find the same care across the rest of our pantry, from cold-pressed oils to honey and spreads. Browse our honey collection to pair your halva with the perfect drizzle.
Galanis Foods · A Taste of Greece
Taste a century of tradition
Bring home authentic Greek halva, handmade by Kosmidi Gavrili since 1924 with nothing but sesame, care and a hundred years of know-how.
Shop Greek Halva Browse Sweet TreatsWant to meet the makers? Read the full story of producer Kosmidi Gavrili.
a taste of Greece
