'Halvita', the crisp soapwort nougat, makes strong comeback in Giurgiu County

'Halvita' or the crisp soapwort nougat, a sweeter than honey confectionery product, has made a strong comeback in the fairs of the southern Giurgiu County, as candy lovers of all ages seek it for its crunchy and pleasantly sticky consistency.

Photo credit: (c) George CALIN / AGERPRES ARCHIVE

"'Halvita' is poured on wafer sheets or directly in trays, and after it is kept cold for at least 12 hours, it is cut into various shapes and sizes depending on the grammage required by the customers. We have 'halvita' for all budgets, from large pieces of up to five hundred grams packed in wafer sheets and wrapped in cellophane to very tiny pieces that fit a child's bite," uncle Tudor, a 'halvita' manufacturer from Giurgiu, told AGERPRES.

As a novelty this year, 'halvita' traders and manufacturers chose to also sell their product in waffle cones, just like ice cream, for it to be easily eaten while en route.

The merchants are proud of their ware, but few are willing to reveal their recipe. ''I can tell you the recipe, but you cannot prepare 'halvita' anyway, because you don't have soapwort, a special ingredient that is a must in the recipe,'' said another 'halvita' trader.

''Many believe that 'halvita' is made just by whipping the egg whites, this is rather the recipe for nougat, but genuine 'halvita' needs soapwort, a hard to obtain product. After mixing the ingredients, one must leave the 'halvita' to rest for almost 12 hours to get the aspect you see on the stalls, that is white and glassy-shiny. I have been making 'halvita' for years, but I tell you this is no easy process,'' said Mariana, a seasoned local 'halvita' producer, who has worked for years in the trade of pastry and confectionery, but has now fully dedicated herself to...