We are all familiar with sesame seeds on burger buns, bagels, or stir-fried foods, but not many of us know where exactly these versatile seeds come from.
Sesame (Sesamum indicum) is one of the oldest known oilseed plants globally and has been cultivated for over 4,000 years.
They come from the Sesamum indicum plant, which was native to Africa and Indonesia but is now found throughout Asia and some subtropical regions. The world production of sesame seeds is estimated to be around 3 million tonnes, with India leading as one of the largest producers of this valuable cash crop.
The sesame plant, also called benne, is an annual plant that bears the sesame fruit. The plant can grow to a little over three feet tall, and the sesame fruit is a triangular-shaped pod with ridges that contain small, oval seeds that measure about less than an inch long. The fruit looks similar to an okra plant and grows under beautiful white and pink flowers, which can be pressed for perfumes. At maturity, these pods burst open at the slightest touch. Most people believe the expression "open sesame" featured in the story Ali Baba and the forty thieves, is probably based on the sesame seed capsule. To extract the pod's seeds, the sesame fruit is dried and shaken to expel the seeds. Read whether sesame seeds are gluten-free.
Sesame seeds are very small, about 3 - 4mm long and 2mm wide. They are extracted as shelled seeds and must be hulled from their darker shells. Hulled sesame seeds come in a variety of colours, including, but not limited to, off-white, tan, red, grey, and black. The colours of the seeds depend on the variety or strain of the sesame plant. White sesame seeds are most common, and black sesame seeds are mostly used in Chinese cuisines. Sesame seeds are nutrient-dense, containing an impressive array of fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.
Although sesame seeds are small, they carry a massive amount of nutritional value, and because of this, they are mass-produced in many countries across Asia and Africa.
Despite their tiny size, sesame seeds have a variety of uses. These tasty seeds are sprinkled on loaves of bread and cookies, and they are the source of the very valuable sesame seed oil. Other products derived from sesame seeds include sesame flour, sesame-honey candy bars, sesame crackers, and halvah, which is made from crushed sesame seeds. Sesame seeds can also be used as a seasoning or garnish and are frequently incorporated in many recipes, especially in Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines.
Sesame seeds are a rich source of natural oils, antioxidants, protein, dietary fibre, and vitamins and minerals like calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamin E. They possess the ability to improve heart health, lower blood pressure, manage diabetes and build strong bones. They also help cure sleep disorders, relieve chronic stress, improve digestion, boost immunity whilst also aiding in dental care!
Additionally, sesame seeds contain zinc, a vital component in the formation of collagen, which strengthens muscle tissue, hair, and skin. They also possess other medicinal and cosmetic uses.
Find out more about how KODGAV is supplying sesame seeds sustainably.