Tenkasi Wheat Halwa – The Pride of the Temple Town
Description:
A silky, glossy, amber-colored sweet made from whole wheat flour, ghee, and sugar, the Tenkasi Wheat Halwa (also called Gothumai Halwa) is a signature delicacy of southern Tamil Nadu. Known for its rich aroma, chewy texture, and melt-in-mouth sweetness, it’s one of those timeless sweets that every visitor to Tenkasi must taste.
Preparation & Taste
The making of this halwa is a slow, skillful process passed down through generations:
- Wheat grains are soaked overnight and ground to extract the wheat milk (a thick starchy liquid).
- The wheat milk is cooked slowly in a large bronze vessel (uruli) with pure ghee, sugar syrup, and cardamom.
- Continuous stirring over low flame transforms the mixture into a golden, glossy halwa that gives off a warm, nutty fragrance.
- Finally, roasted cashews are added, and the halwa is poured into trays to cool — cut into shimmering squares or served warm in dollops.
The taste is a balance of sweet, nutty, and caramelized flavors with a smooth, elastic texture that doesn’t stick to your teeth — a mark of perfect craftsmanship.