Halwa the sweetener in breaking the Ramadhan fast

Rashid Mansoor [right] and his father Mansoor Seif make Halwa at Seif-- Halwa Shop in Mombasa. Halwa is eaten mostly by Muslims during celebrations and fasting periods. [PHOTO OMONDI ONYANGO/STANDARD]

MOMBASA: Mansoor Seif runs the family’s 45-year-old business along a street in Mombasa’s Bondeni area.

He is a Kenyan of Omani origin. The business specialises in making Halwa, a sweetmeat confection as jelly. It is made from starch, cardamom or some other spice, ghee and a generous serving of sugar. Sometimes seeds, cashew nuts or almonds are added to give it a special flavour.