Baklava Sweets w/ Peanuts (20 Oz) - Imported Fresh from Lebanon - THE ORIGINAL Recipe From Middle East - Baklava Pastry Peanuts (20 Oz)

Over the years I have tried several brands of Middle Eastern Baklava, and I'm often disappointed to where I always pass it up, when someone offers it. However, I find that this brand is the absolutely hands down the best. There are otherbrands that are eatable and taste somewhat ok. However, this brand has the right balance of everything to make it perfect, even my Middle Eastern friendssay, this one is THE BEST! Unfortunately, the local Middle Eastern stores don't carry it, so Amazon is my only option. The great thing about my local store not carrying this item, is when I give them as gifts, I know it won't be something they might already have in their homes from localshopping.I have made 3 purchases:The tin box assortment, which is assorted baklava that are not individually wrapped but slightly sweeter than the wrapped ones.The 20 oz and 40 oz Individually wrapped in a card board box, each piece is about 1 1/2 inches. PLEASE SEE PHOTO.First, what I love is the orange flower water is not over powdering. I am not a fan of orange water, but it's a common ingredient, that often ruins the pastry for me. I don't want a dessert that taste like flowers in syrup and filo. Hallab understands that the balance of flavor is to let the filo and the nuts shine through, not syrupy side flavors.If you are giving the case as a gifts or adding the wrapped pieces to gift bags, this is an excellent way to go, especially for gift bags, which is what I use it for. However be ready to tell them where you purchased it, because they will be pleasantly surprised, if they are used to those other brands and want to buy a box. There are more popular brands, their are cheaper brands, but if i'm going to buy , I'm going to buy a dessert, that makes me swoon.The size of each pastry is absolutely perfect. Too often other brands use these mega size pieces, with oversized nuts and it's just too much. These are small, but mighty in taste and this allows you to enjoy a dessert without wasting it because it's too big. Smaller pieces make it easy to try an assortment without over indulging (unless you want to).Hallab has a lifetime customer in me. I will NOT buy other brands, because they aren't worth it. The product is delivered fresh and beautifully packaged.

Review on the Taste:I tried one now because of the latest review that said their's was stale; I didn't want to serve stale dessert to anyone. These are not a Greek Baklava like I always made. These are not overly sweet and not sticky. The butter comes through with the flaky Fillo dough. These are fresh tasting and has an expiration date sometime next year (I'm too tired to go look) so there is plenty of time to ration them. I had my one 'tester' with a mug of masala chai; took 3 nibbles to eat it and savor every bit of it. The sweetness of the tea and the not-so-sweet baklava were a match made in heaven. I feel the one was just enough for a tea treat (just what I wanted them for) and was sufficient without over-indulging. The fillo layers were flaky, the nuts were chewy, the bottom had a bit of stickiness and a butter layer was on my fingers. There wasn't a taste of orange water or spices so this was pretty mild tasting, the fillo and nuts came through. I will savor this box, one tea snack at a time over the next few months.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I bought these for my 'birthday cake' and can't eat one until Sept 11 on my birthday. This part of the review is on the shipping, delivery, how they look and the ingredients list:Shipping was fast, arrived in 2 days with Amazon Prime. The box isn't crushed or dented, looks good to gift to someone. There is plastic wrap covering the whole box so no tampering along the way (plus no bugs getting in). There is a paper tag taped to the top of the box with info on the person who packed this box. After taking off the plastic wrap there are 3 taped spots to cut through, one on each side and one in the front; now the box can be opened. Upon opening the box, all of the baklava look well wrapped. They are small, the length is the size of the two joints on a small woman's pointer finger, about as wide and a bit thicker in height. Each one is sitting on a small, white cup cake paper inside the individual wrapper. The amount of walnuts looks about right for the amount of flaky layers of fillo. They sure look delicious. I wanted this for a little nibble with tea so this size is perfect for me. The ingredients are the same ones that I use when I used to make mine. They don't look sticky so they may not be overly sweet (I hope) and the wrapper looks clean and see-through (not a sticky mess). They are packed tightly and the box is full. Even tho' they are small, the weight is there and there are plenty to share.(Will Report on the Taste after Sept 11)

Wow, the description is "12 small cut pieces," where "Small cut" is a HUGE OVERSTATEMENT. Please see my attached picture...The review that included his picture with a piece in his had showing how small they are... he must have VERY small hands!!! (no offence).The point I'm making, as you readers already know, is that in his picture, the piece looks larger than it actually is. I measured that same piece to be 1.25" long, like the top part of my pinky... Also, I wouldn't describe them as bite size, but rather a half a bite size. Okay, enough about the size, the really small pieces were also stale, both the pastry part, the nuts, and mostly the hardened sweet part that is supposed to be a thick liquid, here was close to hard candy. Basically, overpriced (~$1.50 per very small 1/2 bite size piece). Highly NOT recommended....