Malindi Halwa Lozi Kenyan Almond Halwa East African Dishes

A jelly-like almond halwa with the sweet aromas of rose, saffron and cardamom. All you need are a handful of ingredients and lots of stirring!Unwrapping a brown paper-clad log of Malindi Halwa has always been a momentous joy for me. Although tightly bound, the rosy aromas still permeated through the paper cover. Tearing one side of the paper would feel like I was playing the children’s party game, pass the parcel. I’d remove only as much paper to suit the portion I’d like to eat, take a deep inhale and revel in the deeply comforting floral smell of this jewel-toned sweet. The translucent halwa was glossy with ghee and a carrier for the copious amounts of whole almonds, after which it is named.

Where does Malindi Halwa – Lozi (Kenyan Almond Halwa) come from?

Malindi is Kenya’s second largest coastal town and is at the centre of a strip of idyllic tropical beaches. Traditionally a port city, located on Kenya’s east coast, Malindi was for centuries a colonial trading post. The food of this region has therefore been influenced by multiple cultures, from Arabic and Indian, to Portuguese and British.

Why is it called Lozi?

The name Lozi refers to almonds and has roots in the Persian language لوز‎ (lowz, luz), since this style of halwa was most likely introduced by the muslim community of Kenya. In Swahili, almonds are typically called Lozi or Mlozi. Malindi Halwa Lozi (Kenyan Almond Halwa) is similar to Omani Halwa.

Memories of Malindi Halwa

Malindi Halwa Lozi (Kenyan Almond Halwa) is difficult to come by in the UK, unless you make it yourself. Growing up in a Yorkshire town meant that I often missed comfort foods like these. I have the fondest memories of visiting my kaka (uncle) in the more cosmopolitan city of Watford, just outside of London. He would always make sure he bought a log of Malindi Halwa from the local shop when I came to visit.

What are the main ingredients in Malindi Halwa?

The base ingredients of this Kenyan almond halwa are tapioca (cassava) starch, sugar, ghee, whole blanched almonds (skinless almonds) and water. Rose water, saffron, cardamom and red/orange food colour are secondary ingredients. Ground nutmeg is also a popular addition to this East African style of halwa.

Where to buy tapioca starch

You can source tapioca starch quite inexpensively at most African, South Asian, Chinese or South American food stores. It may also be labelled ‘cassava starch’ or ‘yuca starch’. Note that it must be tapicoa/cassava starch and not flour as these are two different byproducts of the same root. They are not interchangeable. Tapioca starch is also available to buy online, along with all the other ingredients you need to make this Halwa recipe.

How to make Malindi Halwa – Lozi (Kenyan Almond Halwa): Step-by-step instructions

How to blanch almonds

lace whole, raw almonds in a bowl. Cover with boiling water and allow to stand for 20 minutes. Try this Malindi Halwa Lozi (Kenyan Almond Halwa) recipe with step-by-step photos and video. Learn how to make delicious halwa with easy instructions. Full recipe card below. Once the water has cooled, gently press the almonds to slip them out of their skins.