Kozinaki: benefits and harms, properties, composition, how to cook

The benefits and harms of kozinaki - a well-known oriental sweet that is equally loved by both adults and children - depends on how and from what the delicacy is prepared. The classic recipe, which originated in Georgia, involves the use of a mixture of nuts and natural honey, formed into neat dense briquettes.

Many people confuse halva and kozinaki, but they differ significantly from each other in structure and composition. Over time, they began to cook sweetness outside Georgia. In Ukraine, honey and sunflower seeds are mixed; in Turkey, the dessert is made from sesame seeds.

In Armenia, to obtain kozinaks, a large container with honey is heated and chopped pieces of nuts are added, while the process is carried out in the open air with a large number of observers and filmed.

Composition and calorie content of kozinaki

The number of calories of kozinak differs in the properties of the main substance.

The benefits and harms of kozinaki for the body depend on the main ingredient.

The beneficial properties of the classic kozinak recipe are the presence of natural ingredients and the absence of sugar.

The delicacy is rich:

• vegetable proteins;
• B vitamins;
• useful minerals;
• fatty acids.

How are Kozinaki useful?

Regardless of the base ingredient, sweets are packed with protein types that are easy to digest and help build muscle.

This oriental dish nourishes the body, satisfies energy needs and enriches it with vitamins.

Medical statistics claim that regular intake of a quality product helps to improve memory, lower bad cholesterol levels, increase immune strength, and, moreover, does not cause harm when used in moderation.

Kozinaki can be given to children as young as 3 years of age with caution to test for potential allergy risks

Kozinaki from sunflower seeds

Sunflower Kozinak is the most common species. The benefit of sunflower seeds lies in the property to have a preventive effect on the development of heart attacks and strokes. Sunflower seeds are rich in monounsaturated acids, which promote rapid absorption. The benefits and harms of kozinaki from sunflower seeds can be different, depend on the state of human health and, depending on this, the ability to use the mixture fearlessly without harming oneself.

Sesame Kozinaki

Sesame kozinaki has a beneficial property - to reduce the amount of bad cholesterol in the body.

This principle of action is possible due to the content in sesame seeds of a substance called sesamin.

Phytosterol, which is also found in sesame oil, has the ability to boost immune strength. Thiamine helps to normalize metabolic processes. The use of sesame kozinak is also in the normalization of metabolic processes, the main property for this is the ease of assimilation by the body of the components of the product. They are recommended for use by pregnant women, lactating women and those who follow a slim figure.

Walnut Kozinaki

The benefits of such sweets are provided by the content of walnuts, which are rich in oil (up to 76%), proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins A, B, amino acids. They are often used for mental and physical exertion. They tend to recover spent energy. Walnut is recommended as a healthy snack for younger students and teenagers.

Peanut Kozinaki

The benefits of peanut goat nuts are due to the unique properties of peanuts. It belongs to the legume family. The fruits contain 53% oil, about 37% proteins, up to 15% globulins, vitamins B and E. The oil is rich in carboxylic acids, which are necessary for the human body to increase the defenses and resistance to infections.

Kozinaki from dried fruits

The benefits of a dessert with the addition of dried fruits differ significantly from the qualities of sunflower kozinaki. The calorie content of such a sweetness is less, and the value is higher. The most common additives are considered prunes or dried apricots. These are dried fruits of plum and apricot. Dried apricots are rich in retinol, its beneficial properties are especially valuable for the human body.

The main value of dried apricots is the content of daily potassium per 100 g of product. Dried apricots are also rich in calcium, magnesium, copper.

Prunes are not inferior in their properties. When used regularly, it helps to treat bowel diseases, has antimicrobial effect, and is rich in vitamins and minerals. Despite the fact that dried fruits are dried fruits, their benefits are undeniable.

Are kozinaki useful during pregnancy?

Pregnancy is a state of the female body when taste preferences can change significantly. Women love sweets, but while waiting for a child, it is necessary to closely monitor the weight and try not to eat harmful foods.

During the period of bearing a child, it is recommended to use sweets from dried fruits, sunflower seeds, and also be careful about species containing peanuts or walnuts. The use can provoke an allergic reaction and harm the development of the child.

Can you eat kozinaki while breastfeeding?

The period of breastfeeding is characterized by an increased need for vitamins and nutrients. Women are recovering after childbirth, breastfeeding, so they need to saturate the body with useful foods. Kozinaki can become such a sweetness that it will dilute the diet of a nursing mother's desserts and make it more intense. They are suitable for women who are not allergic to any component of the product. It is necessary to take into account the health of the baby so as not to harm him. If a child develops skin rashes or colic, you should immediately stop using the treat.

Is it possible to eat kozinaki while losing weight

The benefit of the recipe for those who follow the figure lies in the absence of animal proteins in the product. Moreover, they are high in calories, can saturate the body, charge it with energy. In order not to violate the main foundations of the diet, they choose kozinaki based on dried fruits or sesame seeds. It is these hearty and healthy species that will not harm the figure.

Daily intake of kozinaki

The consumption rate depends on the content of the main component. The most common variant from sunflower seeds contains 515 kcal per 100 g of product.

The average daily requirement of an adult is 2000 units. 100 g of oriental sweetness makes up a quarter of the total daily diet, so experts recommend using this delicacy no more than 70 g per day, breaking the intake into smaller portions and drinking plenty of water to speed up metabolic processes.

How to make kozinaki with your own hands

The most healthy treats are prepared at home. Housewives can easily control the process, vary ingredients, create their own recipes.

To prepare the classic recipe, take 100 g of natural honey, 350 g of walnuts, peeled from membranes. The honey is heated on the stove, the nuts are chopped to medium-sized pieces. The components are mixed, poured onto parchment soaked in vegetable oil. Distribute so that the thickness of the layer does not exceed 1 cm. A baking sheet with cooled parchment is placed in the refrigerator for 60 minutes. After that, cut into portions.

Is Kozinak harmful

The modern food industry allows the addition of many chemical components. Manufacturers often mix thickeners, colorants to give an attractive appearance. You can often find flavors and harmful food additives in a store product. Honey is exchanged for sugar, the use of which in large quantities is harmful to the body.

Excessive consumption of sucrose leads to tooth decay and other dental problems. The content of harmful substances can lead to inflammatory diseases of the stomach.

Contraindications to the use of kozinaki

Dessert is harmful for people with diabetes. Those who are prone to allergic reactions should use kozinaki with extreme caution and prior testing.

How to choose and store kozinaki

To get pleasure from consumption, to bring benefits to the body and not to harm, it is necessary to choose the right sweets. In Georgia, the traditions of making this dessert are still observed. But store products can not always please with quality. To choose a useful product, you should carefully study the information on the package: the composition should not contain artificial elements and dyes. Kozinaki should be purchased, which are prepared using honey, avoiding sugar syrup.

Criterias of choice:

• by composition;
• by color;
• by smell.

The dark brown shade of kozinak indicates the presence of sugar syrup. The smell should be specific, characteristic of nuts, dried fruits, honey. It is categorically excluded to buy a product with flavorings. Such products have nothing to do with a healthy and tasty dessert.

After purchase, the treat is stored using edible paper or a container with a closed lid. The shelf life should not exceed 6 months from the date of manufacture.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of kozinaki depend on how they are prepared. When consumed in moderation, an oriental delicacy will bring joy and saturate the body with essential vitamins.