Charoset

Charoset is a sweet, spiced fruit-and-nut mix enjoyed during Passover, symbolizing the mortar used by the Israelites in Egypt. Delicious and nutritious, it's perfect on matzo or as a flavorful spread!

Charoset

Charoset is a beloved dish with deep historical and cultural significance. It is a staple dish in Jewish cuisine, especially during Passover (Pesach). This sweet, textured mixture symbolizes the mortar used by the Israelites when enslaved in Egypt. However, its flavors and ingredients vary across different Jewish communities, reflecting centuries of tradition and cultural influence.

It is simple to make, delicious, as well as nutritious, featuring whole, healthful ingredients like apples and walnuts.

What Is Charoset?

Charoset (sometimes spelled haroset) is a fruit-and-nut-based dish traditionally served on the Seder plate during Passover. It is enjoyed not only for its symbolic significance but also for its rich, sweet, and spiced flavors. The dish is typically made from chopped or pureed fruits, nuts, spices, and sweet wine or juice.

What Kind of Wine Should I Use?

A sweet red wine, such as Manischewitz is traditionally used.

You can also substitute it with concord grape juice for an alcohol-free version.

How to Serve Charoset

While traditionally eaten during Passover, charoset can be enjoyed in several ways:

• Spread on matzo during the Seder meal
• Served as a topping for yogurt or oatmeal
• Used as a filling for pastries or sandwiches

Variations

The ingredients of charoset differ depending on the region and cultural background. The recipe below is an Ashkenazi version, which generally loose and tossed, like a salad or salsa.

Sephardic Jews, hailing from Spain, the Middle East, and North Africa, have different interpretations of charoset, often incorporating dried fruits and diverse spices, such as dates, figs, pomegranates, almonds or pine nuts, sweet wine or vinegar, and spices like cardamom, cloves, and nutmeg. This version is usually more of a paste in texture.

Sephardic charoset is often more paste-like, sometimes resembling a thick jam or spread.

Jewish communities from Yemen, Persia, and other Middle Eastern countries also have their own take, incorporating local flavors such as ginger, sesame seeds, pistachios, and vinegar.

Charoset Video