Black Sesame Seeds
Estimated Inventory, 20 oz : 36.00
This item was last sold on : 12/27/24
Description/Taste
Black Sesame seeds are small, tear-drop-shaped seeds that measure approximately 3 millimeters in length. The seeds are flat and bulbous at one end, tapering to a rounded point. Black Sesame seeds bear a dark brown to black hue and are smooth with a matte finish. The seeds can be easily crushed or ground, forming a paste. When consumed whole, Black Sesame seeds have a satisfying crisp texture, a bitter-sweet, nutty flavor, and a mild aroma.
Seasons/Availability
Black Sesame seeds are available year-round, with fresh seeds harvested in the fall through spring.
Current Facts
Black Sesame seeds are the whole seed harvested from the sesame plant, an annual classified as Sesamum indicum. Black Sesame seeds grow within the fruit of the plant. These fruit pop open when ripe and expel the seeds outward, making harvesting a challenge. To reduce crop loss, farmers will often pick the fruit before it is ripe and dry them before removing the seeds, or they will hang a cloth underneath the plants to catch the seeds when they leave the fruit. The fruit is also said to make a popping sound when opening and expelling the seeds, a process which is the inspiration behind the famous line from Arabian Nights, “open sesame.” The phrase is used in the modern-day as a magical statement to make something open suddenly. Black Sesame seeds are used with the hull intact, creating a more robust flavor and crisper texture than hulled sesame seeds. The seeds are over fifty percent oil, extracted and used as a cooking oil, ingredient in cosmetics, or an element in pharmaceuticals.
Nutritional Value
Black Sesame seeds are a significant source of protein and B vitamins, including B6, thiamine, and niacin. These vitamins are essential for proper cell production and can help to boost the body’s metabolism. Black Sesame seeds also contain a higher level of calcium than hulled sesame seeds, as well as other minerals, including manganese, magnesium, copper, and iron. Sesame seeds are the only source of plant fiber known as lignan fiber. This fiber is very beneficial to the body’s digestive system and has been shown to help reduce harmful cholesterol levels.
Applications
Black Sesame seeds are the preferred sesame seed for many Asian cultures, including Indian, Japanese, and Chinese cuisine. They are a key ingredient in Japanese furikake, a spice mix that includes dried fish and seaweed sprinkled on rice, noodles, and other dishes. The seeds are also used extensively as a garnish in Japanese cuisine, often coating the outside of sushi rolls, as well as in desserts like kurogoma ice cream and mochi. In addition to Japanese dishes, Black Sesame seeds are prevalent in Chinese cuisine, where they top soups, noodles, and rice and are used as a filling in many desserts, including zi maa gyun, a jelly-like roll that is popular in Hong Kong. Black Sesame seeds can be ground into a paste or butter and added to bread, sauces, broths, and other baked desserts. The seeds have a similar flavor profile to white sesame seeds with a slight bitterness and crunchier texture. This means they can be used in place of the white seeds in any recipe, especially when a contrast of color is wanted. Ground Black Sesame seeds can be mixed with other spices and used to coat ahi fish for searing or spread on chicken or vegetables. The seeds should be stored in an air-tight container in a cool and dry place and used within three months. To extend their shelf life, store them in the freezer and use them within twelve months.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Black Sesame seeds have been used in China for over 5,000 years and are a staple ingredient in Chinese cuisine for both savory and sweet applications. While many regions of the country have their own way of using the seeds, when it comes to Black Sesame seed desserts, Cantonese cuisine is considered the most unique and flavorful. The cuisine is known for creating tong suis, or dessert soups from various ingredients. A variety of this, hakzimaawu soup, is made by blending Black Sesame seeds, rice, sugar, and water to create a thick soup with a sweet and nutty flavor that warms the body when consumed. The technique of slowly simmering the ingredients intensifies the unique nutty flavor of the sesame. It also enhances the bitter qualities of the seed to balance the sweetness of the sugar, creating an invigorating flavor combination unique to Cantonese cuisine.
Geography/History
The sesame plant is native to the Sunda Islands of Indonesia and is one of the oldest cultivated plant seeds in history, with evidence of its cultivation and use for oil dating back 4,000 years in some areas. The white seed version was widely used throughout Greece and Rome, while Black Sesame seeds were most prevalent in Asian cultures, including Japan, India, and China. The seeds have been used in China for over 5,000 years for cooking and as a source of soot for block ink. The seeds later spread to Europe and Africa along the silk road and other trade routes. The seeds quickly became staple ingredients in these regions and were brought to the New World by both European colonizers and African slaves. The plants thrive in the tropical and subtropical climates of Latin America, and the seeds remain a staple crop. Today, Black Sesame seeds grow quickly in many tropical, subtropical, and temperate climes throughout the world, with India, China, and Mexico being the top producers. Black Sesame seeds can be found in grocery stores with an emphasis on Asian cuisine and in spice shops.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Morning Glory | San Diego CA | 619-629-0302 |
| Better Buzz Coffee (Encinitas) | Encinitas CA | 760-487-5562 |
| University Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-5200 |
| Echale | Encinitas CA | 303-210-2892 |
| Milton's Delicatessen, Grill & Bakery | Del Mar CA | 858-792-2225 |
| insideOUT | San Diego CA | 619-888-8623 |
| Animae (Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-925-7908 |
| Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
| Mabel's Gone Fishing | San Diego CA | 619-228-9851 |
| Dija Mara | Oceanside CA | 760-231-5376 |
| Trust Restaurant | San Diego CA | 609-780-7572 |
| Kingfisher | San Diego CA | 619-861-8074 |
| The Crack Shack-Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 858-735-3093 |
| The Crack Shack-San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-795-3299 |
| Juniper & Ivy | San Diego CA | 858-481-3666 |
| Born & Raised | San Diego CA | 619-944-1631 |
| 264 Fresco (Kitchen) | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Black Sesame Seeds. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Mycopia |
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Nebrodini Bianco with Green Beans and Black Sesame |
