Sesame Seeds

Sesamum indicum

Origin | Harvest:

USA | September-October
India | October
China | September-October
Africa (Sudan/Ethiopia) | November-December
C. America (Guatemala/Nicaragua) | Dec-Jan
S. America (Venezuela/Paraguay) | March-April

Description & History

Sesame may be the oldest condiment known to man. Although the wild species are native to sub-Saharan Africa, archeological evidence indicates that sesame was first domesticated on a large–scale in the ancient Middle East.

Records of sesame production date back to the Indus Valley between 2250 and 1750 B.C. and to the Tigris and Euphrates valleys in 1600 BC. It was according to Assyrian legend that when the gods met to create the world, they drank wine made from sesame seeds. Sesame even made its way into one of this region's most famous stories, Arabian Nights. In the tale of Ali Baba and The Forty Thieves, ‘Open Sesame’ was the secret password to gain entry into the treasure cave, which reflects the distinguishing feature of the sesame seed pod to burst open when it reaches maturity.

It wasn't until much later in the 17th and 18th centuries that sesame seed made its journey to the Americas by way of African slaves. To this day, sesame is still known by the Nigerian name benne in parts of the American South and the Caribbean.

When first shaken from its pod, sesame seed may range in color from yellowish white to red, brown and black. Here in the U.S. food ingredient market, we are most familiar with seeds that are light to dark tan (a.k.a Natural Sesame) or black (a.k.a Black or Natural Black Sesame). By hulling or decorticating the outer husk of the seed, hulled sesame is created. This hulling process is typically done by mechanical means or employing a food-friendly chemical agent (natural only). Pearly white in color; hulled sesame has a rich, nutty flavor, especially when toasted.

We also offer washed natural and washed black sesame that feature a lower level of microbiological activity.

Uses

In the western world, hulled sesame is king, best known as a topping for hamburger buns. Black sesame has long been a popular topping in Asian recipes but is now being utilized in cuisines worldwide. Natural sesame is gaining ground as a topping and ingredient for a wide range of bakery products (bread, bagels, crackers and of course, sesame sticks). Its high protein content makes natural sesame popular within the health food industry.

As for other products made from sesame seed, sesame oil is widely used as a cooking base in Asian cuisines. Tahini (the paste made from ground sesame seeds) is a core ingredient in hummus, halva, and other Mediterranean/ Middle Eastern staples and desserts.

Nutrition

Sesame seeds are a great source of iron, magnesium and calcium. In addition to these important nutrients, sesame seeds contain two unique substances, sesamin and sesamolin, which belong to a group of special beneficial fibers called lignans. Lignans have been shown to lower cholesterol and prevent high blood pressure.