Charoset

Charoset, haroset, or charoises (Hebrew: , ''kharóset'') is a sweet, dark-colored paste made of fruits and nuts eaten at the Passover Seder. According to the Talmud its color and texture are meant to recall mortar (or mud used to make adobe bricks) which the Israelites used when they were slavery, enslaved in Ancient Egypt as mentioned in Tractate Pesahim (page 116a) of the Talmud, which says " The word ''charoset'' comes from the Hebrew word ''cheres'' (חרס, 'clay')".

''Charoset'' is one of the symbolic foods on the Passover Seder Plate. After reciting the blessings, and eating first ''maror'' dipped in ''charoset'' and then a matzah " Hillel sandwich" (with two matzot) combining ''charoset'' and ''maror'', people often eat the remainder spread on matzah.

History

''Charoset'' is mentioned in the Mishna in connection with the items placed on the Passover table: "unleavened bread and lettuce and charoset." Some say it can be traced back to the custom of symposia in ancient Greece, where philosophical discussions were accompanied by drinking large quantities of wine and consuming foods dipped into mixtures of pounded nuts and spices.

Variations

There are many recipes for ''charoset''. Many include at least some of the fruits and spices mentioned in the Song of Songs: apple
2-3
fig

pomegranate

grape

walnut

date

with the addition of win

saffro

and cinnamo

According to Jonathan Brumberg-Kraus "the influence of Persian culinary preferences on Jews living in the medieval Islamic empires probably reinforced this 'Song of Songs' flavor profile.

The spices used vary among cultures; Yemenites use cloves and pepper, while American Jews typically use cinnamon. In Italy, Venetian Jews have been known to add chestnuts and pine nuts. ''Halek'' is a variation made by Persian Jews using dates instead of apples. Locally grown blueberries are added to the traditional recipe in Maine.

Sephardi traditions

Sephardi ''charoset'' is a paste made of raisins, figs and dates.

Egyptian Jews make it from dates, raisins, walnuts, cinnamon, and sweet wine.

Greek and Turkish Jews use apples, dates, chopped almonds, and wine. Italian Jews add chestnuts.

Suriname Jews add coconut.

Iraqi Jews make it from a mixture of dates and nuts.

Yemenite tradition

Yihye Bashiri (17th century) described the manner in which the ''charoset'' was made in Yemen:

They take figs or raisins or dates, and pound them into the consistency of dough. They then put vinegar thereto, and add spices. Some there are who put ground sesame seeds into this admixture. On the night of the Passover, a person is required to put therein whole spices that have not been ground; either two or three seeds of valerian (Arabic: ''sunbul''), or sprigs of marjoram lternatively: wild thyme (Arabic: '' za'tar''), or savory (Arabic: ''hasha''), or things similar to them, so that it will resemble straw in mortar—in remembrance of that thing by which our fathers were enslaved in Egypt, seeing that it is like unto bricks and straw.

In Yemenite Jewish tradition, the ''charoset'' is also called ''dukeh'' (), a name also referred to as such in the Jerusalem Talmud.

Mizrahi traditions

Not all Jews use the term ''charoset''. Some of the Jews of the Middle East instead use the term "''halegh''". The origin of ''halegh'' is not clear. Rav Saadia Gaon uses the word and attributes it to a kind of walnut that was a mandatory ingredient in the preparation of the ''halegh''.

Parts of the Jewish Diaspora in Iran have a tradition of including 40 different ingredients in the ''halegh''. The number 40 signifies the 40 years of wandering in the desert.

Ashkenazi traditions

Eastern European (or Ashkenazi) ''charoset'' is made from chopped walnuts and apples, spiced with cinnamon and sweet red wine. Honey or sugar may be added as a sweetener and binder. The mixture is not cooked.

Modern variations

In 2015 Ben & Jerry's Charoset ice cream became widely available in Israel and was covered in several major news outlets.

Leftovers

Leftover charoset is commonly eaten with matzah, but it can also be used as a filling for hand pies. It is also used as a filling for hamantaschen.

References

External links

A Quick Charoset FAQ (includes charoset recipes)

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Fruit salads
Passover foods
Passover seder
Jewish ceremonial food and drink
Jewish cuisine
Israeli cuisine