Sesame Seed

Sesame seed is a small, oval seed with a pale cream color, though some varieties are jet black. It tastes nutty and slightly sweet and turns fragrant and crisp when toasted; sprinkle on breads and noodles, grind into tahini or spice blends, or crust proteins for texture. Sold hulled or unhulled, raw or toasted, in white or black varieties.

Farmers domesticated sesame in South Asia and parts of sub-Saharan Africa, and it spread early through the Middle East and Mediterranean to East Asia. Cuisines from Turkey and the Levant to India, Japan, and Korea feature it in breads, sweets, sauces, and sesame oil production.