Gerede Saksak Halva Product Description and Distinctive Features: Gerede Şakşak Helvası (Gerede Şakşak Halva) is a halva produced in the district of Gerede, located in the province of Bolu, using sugar, walnut kernels, and soapwort (Radix saponariae albae sive L.) juice. It has been crafted in copper cauldrons for many years. The same formula, quality, and taste have been maintained in the district since the 1850s. The most significant characteristic of Gerede Şakşak Helvası is its firm texture and the way it melts in the mouth. It holds special significance as a symbol of the Traditional Gerede Fair, which takes place for three days in the third week of September and the first week of October every year. It is one of the most preferred products during the fair. Production Method: The raw material quantities used in the production of Gerede Şakşak Helvası are as follows: Sugar: 66% Glucose: 12% Walnuts: 20% Soapwort (Çöğen): 1% Citric Acid: 1% The production of Gerede Şakşak Helvası begins by taking 50 kg of powdered sugar obtained from sugar beets and 20 kg of water into tinned copper cauldrons. The boiling process starts, reaching 140 degrees Celsius in the summer months and 135 degrees Celsius in the winter months. To prevent crystallization during boiling, 1% lemon salt is added to the production batch. This process is carried out to ensure easy melting in the mouth. Soapwort is used to whiten Gerede Şakşak Helvası. 150 ml of soapwort is mixed with 150 ml of water and whipped in a mixer until it becomes white and foamy. At this stage, 6 kg (12% ratio) of glucose is added to give the product a gum-like consistency. The whitening process takes about 15 minutes. The prepared soapwort juice is added to the sugary water and stirred for 25 minutes. Close to cooling, walnut kernels are added in an amount of 1/5-1/6 of the water (8-10 kg for 50 kg) and thoroughly mixed. The mixture is then poured into square molds and left to cool for 24 hours. After cooling, it is broken and fragmented with a knife and made ready to eat in bite-sized pieces. It is packaged for sale in 350, 700, and 1000-gram packages. The sugar used in Gerede Şakşak Helvası complies with the Turkish Food Codex Sugar Regulation. The walnuts used should be light-colored. The final product has a gum-like consistency.