Golden Sesame

Delivered in a resealable bag

- Non-GMO, non-irradiated, no nanomaterials -

Also available hulled. Click here!

Also available in "black sesame." Click here!

Uses in Cooking:

Sesame seeds are commonly used in cooking for their mild flavor, reminiscent of hazelnut, especially when toasted. Their flavor is greatly enhanced when heated. The simplest method is to dry-toast them in a pan for 2 minutes. They are delicious when added to salads, meats, or sautéed vegetables.

They can also be used as a substitute for breadcrumbs to coat fish cubes, which can then be fried in oil, giving your dish a slight Asian touch!

Sesame seeds can also be mixed into bread dough, possibly along with other seeds like flax, or simply sprinkled on top, such as on hamburger buns.

Whole seeds can also be consumed sprouted.

Who am I?

Origin: Egypt

Scientific name: Sesamum indicum

Common names: Benne, Benj

White sesame is used to make sesame paste (known as "tahini" in Syria), produced by grinding the seeds with a millstone (or blender). By mixing the seeds with salt, you can create a popular seasoning among vegetarians, "gomasio," which is excellent for raw vegetables and grains.

Sesame seeds also yield an oil widely used in Asian cooking in China, Korea, and Japan, in salads, soups, and certain fondues. In Vietnam, sesame is used in soft nougats. This oil is notable for its resistance to rancidity.

Unhulled seeds are particularly rich in calcium and phosphorus. They also contain significant amounts of other minerals, including magnesium, zinc, and iron, as well as plenty of fiber. Finally, they are rich in vitamin E and antioxidants (lignans), as effective as those in flax seeds. These lignans, when consumed daily, are believed to help lower "bad" cholesterol.

Sesame is an annual oilseed plant from the Pedaliaceae family, widely cultivated worldwide for its seeds. It can grow up to 1 meter tall, with leaves about 10 cm long and 5 cm wide, lance-shaped, which reduce in size as the stem grows. Tubular flowers, often yellow, are followed by pods containing the seeds.

Its cultivation is growing rapidly due to its ease and low production cost. White sesame is the most commonly grown variety because of its traditional use in rapidly growing Asian populations and its increasing use in Europe for pastries and baking (notably for hamburger buns).

Unlike many other food plants, sesame has undergone little genetic modification by humans, retaining significant genetic diversity. As a result, plants vary in size and resistance to diseases and pests from region to region or even from one field to another. This offers researchers significant potential for genetic improvement of the plant.

Sesame is among the most common allergens, with symptoms ranging from skin reactions to digestive or respiratory issues. Allergic individuals must strictly avoid consuming sesame or products containing it.

In India, sesame seeds are considered a symbol of immortality.

Nutrition Facts per 100g:

• Energy (kJ): 2573
• Energy (kcal): 622
• Fat: 54g
• Of which saturated fats: 7.7g
• Carbohydrates: 9.5g
• Of which sugars: 0.9g
• Protein: 20g
• Salt: 0.02g

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A Little History:

The term "sesame" first appeared in 1298, derived from the Greek "sesamon," which in turn was borrowed from a language spoken in the eastern Mediterranean basin. It likely means "fat or oil," as sesame is believed to be the first plant used to produce edible oil. Its cultivation dates back so far that the plant's wild ancestor is no longer found.

The origin of sesame is uncertain, but it is thought to be African. It was already consumed in India over 7,500 years ago and in China for at least 5,000 years, with traces found in Mesopotamia as early as 2350 BC. One of its main qualities contributing to its popularity is its drought resistance, the ease of oil extraction, and the remarkable stability of the oil, which resists rancidity.

Sesame was introduced to America in the 17th century, brought by enslaved Africans who carried it with them during their tragic journey.

The name appears in *The Thousand and One Nights* tales with the famous command by Ali Baba: "Open sesame!"

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