From Tourist Discovery to European Favorite
SUMSUM Our Story
The Beginning
In 2015, we noticed something remarkable: tourists visiting the middle-east would discover halva, fall in love with it, and ask where they could find this quality back home. The answer was nowhere. Premium, authentic halva simply wasn't available in Europe.
That sparked an idea. Why not bring traditional Middle Eastern halva to the modern European market?
Building Something Special
We opened our first location in Amsterdam in 2016. From day one, the response was overwhelming. Customers would try our halva, light up with delight, and immediately ask about buying more. Many had never experienced authentic halva before - others recognized it from childhood but had never found this quality.
Word spread quickly. What started as one Amsterdam shop grew to locations across multiple countries: Las Vegas, Miami, Dubai, Qatar, Paris. Everywhere we opened, the same pattern emerged - people discovering halva and becoming devoted customers.
The Craft Behind the Product
We established our own production facility in Amsterdam, using traditional hand-mixing methods and sourcing only the finest Ethiopian Humera sesame seeds. Every batch is made weekly in small quantities, ensuring the freshness and quality that made us famous.
No industrial shortcuts. No artificial preservatives. Just authentic halva crafted the way it's been made for centuries, with modern European quality standards.
Surviving and Thriving
COVID-19 challenged everything. Our tourist-dependent locations struggled as international travel stopped. But this crisis revealed something important: our local customers remained loyal, and online demand grew.
We adapted, focusing on European markets and building strong digital presence. Today, we're stronger than ever, with customers across 15+ countries and growing demand for franchise opportunities.
Looking Forward
After 10+ years of perfecting our craft and building customer loyalty, we're ready for the next chapter. Our goal is simple: make authentic, premium halva accessible across Europe while maintaining the quality and care that made us successful.
Every piece of halva we make carries forward a tradition that's over 1,000 years old, adapted for modern European tastes and lifestyles.
This is our story. We'd love for you to become part of it.
