Halva - Odessa roots.
The first information about the Ukrainian-Persian relations is reflected in the documents of Kievan Rus, and in later times, the inhabitants of these lands repeatedly crossed paths with representatives of "halvolubivy" Turkey, until the 19th century there was no own production of this sweet in Ukraine. "Pioneering" in this matter is often attributed to an Odessa Greek named Kazi, who allegedly founded the production of tahini halva in his native city. However, no documentary evidence of this information could be found.
A completely different matter is the Odessa factory of oriental sweets and sesame oil, which started operating in the late 60s of the century before last. The founder of this enterprise was the industrialist and trader Lazar Khristoforovich Duvardzhoglu. According to contemporaries, all five types of halva produced there (sunflower, walnut, almond, chocolate and honey) had an exceptional taste. As, however, and other delicacies. And judging by the fact that this "product of the Russian Empire" received prestigious awards at the international exhibitions in Paris and London, the laudatory reviews fully corresponded to reality.
The frenzied demand for the "eastern assortment" did not leave indifferent the brothers Lev and Yakov Krakhmalnikov. In 1890, these hereditary confectioners, who had previously specialized in continuing the "gingerbread business" started by their father, also took up the production of halva and Turkish delight. This decision turned out to be so successful that in 1893 the brothers founded the "Odessa Steam Candy and Gingerbread Factory" with an incredibly wide range of products that were very popular both among compatriots and abroad. Moreover, by the time the Bolsheviks seized power, her fame and prestige were so great that in 1918 the nationalized enterprise was called the "First State Confectionery Factory", which was named after Rosa Luxembourg 4 years later.