Real Multani sohan halwa: what it is made of and how to judge it

Sohan halwa is Multan's most famous gift: round cakes that are firm but chewy, topped with almonds and pistachios.

What it is made of

Traditional sohan halwa is made from milk, sugar, desi ghee and sprouted wheat flour, topped with almonds, pistachios or walnuts. The long cooking turns it a deep golden brown.

How to tell good halwa

• The cake is firm but breaks under your teeth. It should not be sticky.
• A light sheen of ghee on the surface.
• It tastes of cooked milk and ghee, not just sugar.
• The ingredients say "ghee", not "vegetable ghee" or "banaspati", and the label carries a made date and a PFA licence number.

How long it keeps

Usually two to three weeks at room temperature and four to six weeks in the fridge. In summer, the fridge is the better choice.

The halwa in our Sohghat boxes comes from a licensed Multan maker in sealed tins, and its batch code is listed on the box's passport.