Charoset
Charoset – the sweet mixture representing mortar and freedom
Just as charoset looks and tastes different in various Jewish cultures, it also sounds different:
Ladino in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia: harosi
Yiddish in Lublin, Poland: chroyses
Western Yiddish in Amsterdam, Netherlands: charouses
Judeo-Greek in Ioannina, Greece: charoseth, charosef
Judeo-Italian in Venice, Italy: haroset
Judeo-French in Bayonne, France: rharoche
Judeo-Persian in Tehran, Iran: halegh
Judeo-Median in Hamadan, Iran: haliká
Jewish Neo-Aramaic in Betanure, Iraq: ḥəllíq
Judeo-Arabic in Baghdad, Iraq: ḥilq, silan, shira
Judeo-Arabic in Tripoli, Libya: laḥliq
Judeo-Arabic in Sana‘a, Yemen: dukkih
Libyan laḥliq, made with dates, pecans, almonds, pomegranate juice, raisins, apples, cinnamon, cumin, and coriander. Other Libyan laḥliq recipes include allspice, nutmeg, ginger, and vinegar. (Image from Or Shalom haggadah, Israel, 2008)
Ashkenazi charoset as commonly made in the United States today – with apples, walnuts, wine, cinnamon, and sugar. Other recipes include raisins. (Image from https://whatjewwannaeat.com/charoset/)
Italian charoset with apples, pears, dates, raisins, prunes, pine nuts, honey, ginger, and cinnamon. Other Italian recipes include almonds, dates, bananas, oranges, walnuts, chestnuts, and cloves. (Image from https://jovinacooksitalian.com/2015/03/31/italian-passover/)
You can find delicious recipes for charoset and other Passover foods at jewishlanguages.org.
Inspired to create
your own Haggadah?
Make your own Haggadah and share with other Seder lovers around the world
Have an idea
for a clip?
People like you bring their creativity to Haggadot.com when they share their ideas in a clip
Support Us
with your donation
Help us build moments of meaning and connection through
home-based Jewish rituals.
OUR TOP CONTRIBUTORS
Passover Guide
Hosting your first Passover Seder? Not sure what food to serve? Curious to
know more about the holiday? Explore our Passover 101 Guide for answers
to all of your questions.