Erzurum Cheese Halva Description and Distinguishing Features of the Product: Erzurum Cheese Halva is a savory halva made in a copper pan using Geographical Indication-registered Erzurum Civil Cheese (No. 116), along with wheat flour or bran flour, cream, and salt. This delicacy is especially prepared in large quantities during the summer season, when milk is more plentiful. With origins that go far back in time, Erzurum Cheese Halva is also locally referred to as "hores" within its geographical region. What sets this halva apart is the use of fresh, unsalted Erzurum Civil Cheese—typically made on the same day and sourced from the same area—combined with rich cream. This traditional method, specific to the region, demands a high level of skill and craftsmanship, making the halva deeply connected to its place of origin. Thanks to the use of fresh, unsalted cheese, Erzurum Cheese Halva has a distinctive fibrous consistency. The cheese forms fine, even strands throughout the halva, offering a texture that melts in the mouth. The color of the halva can range from light brown to dark brown, depending on how it is prepared. Production Method: The ingredients used to prepare Erzurum Cheese Halva are as follows: 1 kg cream, 400 g freshly made, unsalted Erzurum Civil Cheese, 5 tablespoons of wheat or bran flour, and 1% salt relative to the weight of the cheese. In a copper pan, the cream is simmered for about 15 to 20 minutes, ensuring it does not curdle or foam. Once melted, the flour is added gradually and roasted over low heat for around 15 minutes using a food-safe polished wooden spoon. When the mixture reaches a stage commonly known as "oil release"—where the fat visibly rises to the surface—the pan is taken off the heat. The halva is then cooled down to a temperature of 70–80°C before serving. The fresh, unsalted Erzurum Civil Cheese is shredded into fine strands and wrapped in a white cotton cloth known as "mermerşahi" to press out excess moisture. Afterward, the cheese is salted at a rate of 1% and mixed into the previously roasted flour. Once the cheese is fully melted and blended by stirring with a wooden spoon, Erzurum Cheese Halva is ready to be served. Erzurum Cheese Halva is sold based on customer demand and packaged in accordance with food safety and packaging standards. It can be stored for up to 10 days at +4°C. For extended preservation, it is subjected to shock freezing and kept frozen thereafter.