Toasted Sesame Seeds
Estimated Inventory, 16 oz : 13.00
This item was last sold on : 11/19/24
Description/Taste
Toasted Sesame seeds are small, flat seeds with a bulbous end that tapers into a rounded tip. The tear-drop-shaped seeds are light tan in color and measure approximately 3 millimeters in length. The seeds have a crunchy texture and can be easily crushed or ground, resulting in a paste. Toasted Sesame seeds have a sweet and nutty aroma with a delicately sweet, toasted almond-like flavor.
Seasons/Availability
Toasted Sesame seeds are available year-round, with fresh seeds harvested in the fall through spring.
Current Facts
Toasted Sesame seeds are the lightly roasted, hulled seeds of the sesame plant, an annual plant botanically classified as Sesamum indicum. The sesame seeds grow within the plant's fruit, which pop open when ripe, sometimes with a loud popping noise, expelling the seeds outward. In order to prevent the loss of the prized seeds, farmers will either harvest the unripened fruit and dry them or hang cloth around the plant to catch the seeds. This makes harvesting Sesame seeds labor-intensive, as they need to be harvested by hand. In 2014, a seed company in Israel patented a sesame plant that does not expel the seeds, allowing for mechanical harvesting, leading to increased yield and reduced harvesting cost. Currently, these seeds are only grown in the United States. The seeds of the sesame plant are dark brown to black when harvested. The hull is removed, and the white inner seed is toasted to create Toasted Sesame seeds. Sesame seeds are also sold with the hull on as black sesame and untoasted as white sesame. Sesame seeds are known as Benne in Africa and Ajonjoli in Latin American countries and are highly prized as a condiment and oil, pressed and used in cooking, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
Nutritional Value
Toasted Sesame seeds are moderately high in protein and have significant levels of many B vitamins, including thiamine, niacin, and B6, all of which help to promote healthy cell function and boost metabolism. The seeds also contain high levels of vitamins and minerals needed for proper bodily functioning, such as manganese, magnesium, copper, calcium, and iron. Sesame seeds are an excellent source of fiber, particularly lignan fiber, which has been shown to reduce bad cholesterol within the body and aid in healthy digestion.
Applications
Toasted Sesame seeds are used extensively in Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and American cuisine. While white sesame seeds are often ground into a paste called tahini, Toasted Sesame seeds are primarily used as a garnish on bread, crackers, noodles, and salads. Toasting the seeds brings out a more robust nutty flavor that works well with a variety of savory dishes. Sprinkle Toasted Sesame seeds over a summer salad featuring pickled carrots, onions, and fresh lettuce, or garnish your favorite bowl of ramen. The subtle nutty flavor and crunchy texture enhance avocado toast and can be added to various pasta dishes, roasted vegetables, and freshly baked bread. For the best flavor, toast sesame seeds when needed in a pan over medium heat, being careful not to burn. Store Toasted Sesame seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dry place or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Sesame seeds are not only a staple ingredient in Indian cuisine but also a prized part of the Hindu religion and Indian healing practices. According to the Hindu religion, the seeds have the ability to absorb large amounts of spiritual purity and can be used to remove spiritual impurity. They are a symbol of immortality in India and are used in cleansing rights during Hindu funeral ceremonies. Sesame is also one of the most widely used ingredients in Ayurvedic medicine. The seeds are used as a powder, paste, and oil and are used both internally and externally to treat a variety of ailments. One common use of sesame oil is in kavala graha, or oil pulling, an ancient technique where oil is swished in the mouth for 15 to 20 minutes to pull bacteria and toxins out of the body. This is believed to improve the health of the teeth and gums and stimulate the lymphatic system to remove toxins from vital organs in the body. The traditional Indian medicinal practice also uses sesame to treat amenorrhea, hemorrhoids, and enema. Sesame is believed to be the best treatment for those suffering from vatika, a Sanskrit word for someone being dominated by the vata, the dosha in Ayurveda created from air and space elements. This dosha’s dominance can cause unstable mood, sensitivity to cold, and digestive issues. The warming properties of sesame oil are believed to combat these symptoms and restore harmony to the three doshas within the body.
Geography/History
Sesame plants are native to Indonesia, with evidence of their cultivation dating back over 4,000 years. The seeds spread into Ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt, where they were used as a garnish and as the first seed oil. The seeds also spread into China, where they have been used extensively for over 5,000 years in the Chinese diet and as an ancient source of soot for ink blocks. The seeds continued to spread along the Silk Road and other trade routes into Europe and Africa, where they quickly became a staple ingredient in cuisines in the region. The popular ingredient was introduced into the New World by European colonizers and African slaves, and the plant thrived in the tropical regions of Latin America. Today, Sesame seeds are widely cultivated in many tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates throughout the world, with China, India, and Mexico being the top three crop producers. Toasted Sesame seeds may be hard to find in grocery stores. If unavailable, white sesame seeds can be purchased and toasted for use.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Shore Rider | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5308 |
| Roppongi | La Jolla CA | |
| Gravity Heights Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-384-5993 |
| Mission Hills High School | San Marcos CA | 760-752-1260 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
| Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens | Escondido CA | 915-861-2297 |
| Leila | San Diego CA | 619-550-5412 |
| Mesa College | San Diego CA | 619-388-2240 |
| The Remy | San Diego CA | 619-886-1358 |
| Le Papagayo (Encinitas) | Encinitas CA | 760-944-8252 |
| Fort Oak | San Diego CA | 619-795-6901 |
| Chef Lance Roll | Vista CA | 760-685-2433 |
| Pacific Coast Spirits | Oceanside CA | 925-381-5392 |
| The WestBean Coffee Roasters BH | San Diego CA | 619-709-3232 |
| Luce | San Diego CA | 619-275-2094 |
