Charoset
“They made their lives bitter with harsh labour in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields.”Exodus 1:14
Charoset is a sweet Passover paste of finely chopped apples, walnuts, honey and sweet red wine, spiced with cinnamon. Its coarse, mortar-like texture recalls Exodus 1:14, where the Israelites made bricks and mortar in Egypt. It is served at the Passover Seder as one of the symbolic foods on the plate.
Charoset is one of the most loved foods of the Passover table: a sweet, chunky paste of apples, nuts and wine that tastes like autumn and carries a deep meaning. Its very texture tells a story. Coarse and mortar-coloured, it is meant to recall the clay and mortar the Israelites worked into bricks during their slavery in Egypt, a bitter memory made, of all things, sweet.
This is a simple Ashkenazi-style charoset, the version most people know: crisp apples and walnuts chopped fine, bound with a little honey and sweet red wine and warmed through with cinnamon. It takes about fifteen minutes and no cooking at all. Spread it on matzo, serve it as part of the Seder, or enjoy it any time as a wholesome fruit-and-nut relish.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Peel and finely chop the apples, or pulse them briefly in a food processor to a coarse, chunky texture (do not puree).
- Chop the walnuts finely and add them to the apples along with the dates if using.
- Stir in the honey, cinnamon and any optional spices.
- Add the wine or grape juice a tablespoon at a time until the mixture just holds together like a coarse paste.
- Cover and chill for at least an hour so the flavours mingle. Stir again before serving and adjust the wine or honey to taste.
The Story Behind This Recipe
Charoset is not named in the Bible, but it grew directly out of the Passover story it is made to remember. In Exodus 1:14 the Egyptians work the Israelites hard "in brick and mortar," and the rough, clay-coloured paste on the Seder plate is a deliberate echo of that mortar. It sits beside the bitter herbs and the unleavened bread, turning the memory of hardship into something you can taste.
Over the centuries Jewish communities everywhere developed their own versions from the fruits and nuts of their region. Ashkenazi families in Europe used apples, walnuts and wine; Sephardi and Mizrahi cooks reached for dates, figs, raisins and almonds, closer perhaps to the fruits of the biblical lands themselves. However it is made, the idea is the same: the sweetness of the fruit against the bitterness of slavery, and the hope of freedom running through the whole meal.
| Per serving | Value |
|---|---|
| Calories | 150 |
| Protein | 2g |
| Carbohydrates | 16g |
| Fat | 9g |
| Fiber | 2g |
Charoset FAQ
What is charoset?
Charoset is a sweet paste of chopped fruit, nuts, wine and spices eaten at the Jewish Passover Seder. Its coarse, brown texture is meant to resemble the mortar the Israelites used as slaves in Egypt.
What does charoset symbolize?
It symbolizes the mortar and clay the Israelites worked with during their slavery in Egypt, described in Exodus 1:14. The sweetness represents the hope of redemption that runs through the Passover story.
Is charoset in the Bible?
Charoset itself is not named in the Bible, but it recalls the brick and mortar of Exodus 1:14 and accompanies the Passover meal commanded in Exodus 12. It is part of later Passover (Seder) tradition.
Can I make charoset without wine?
Yes. Sweet grape juice makes an excellent non-alcoholic substitute and keeps it suitable for children and anyone avoiding alcohol. Use the same small amount, just enough to bind the mixture.
How long does charoset keep?
Stored in a sealed container in the fridge, charoset keeps for three to four days. The apples soften and the flavour deepens, though the colour darkens a little over time.
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