Nuts

Sesame Seed

Sesame is a tiny oilseed used whole, toasted, as tahini paste, and as oil. White and black seeds differ in colour and slight flavour intensity; toasting awakens deep nuttiness for East Asian, Middle Eastern, and African cookery. Tahini emulsifies sauces and halvah; oils range from pale refined to dark roasted.

Also known as: Til, Simsim / Tahini seed, Goma, Zhīma

Track this ingredient

Quantity

Unit

Kg Liters Whole

Note

Cuts & parts

Flour

Oil

Paste

Seed

Breeds & varieties

A sample of named types with their own origin and culinary profiles.

View all

Sesamum indicum

Brown Sesame

White Sesame

Unhulled Sesame

Black Sesame

Hulled Sesame

Golden Sesame

Characteristics

Preparations

CrackedDriedFreshGroundPowderRoastedToastedWhole

Provenance

BiodynamicExport GradeFair TradeHand HarvestedNon-GMOOrganicPesticide FreeSingle OriginSun Dried

Sources

Indoor FarmedOutdoor FarmedWild

Traits

AromaticEarthyMildNuttyOilyRichSweetToasty

Nutrition

Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.

Nutrition Facts

Per 100 g edible portion

Calories 601

Amount per 100 g

Total Fat 53.4 g
Saturated Fat 6.64 g
Trans Fat 0 g
Monounsaturated Fat 29.6 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 14.1 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 5.05 mg
Salt 0.01 g
Total Carbohydrate 16.9 g
Dietary Fibre 8.55 g
Total Sugars 3.92 g
Complex / starch 5.06 g
Protein 18 g
Water 4 g

Detailed nutrients

Energy 601 kcal
Water 4 g
Carbohydrates 16.9 g
- Sugars 3.92 g
  - Monosaccharides 2.74 g
  - Disaccharides 1.18 g
- Starch 5.06 g
  - Amylose 1.27 g
  - Amylopectin 3.8 g
  - Digestible Starch 4.3 g
  - Resistant Starch 0.51 g
- Fibre 8.55 g
  - Soluble Fibre 2.99 g
  - Insoluble Fibre 5.56 g
Protein 18 g
- Plant Protein 17.1 g
Fat 53.4 g
- Saturated Fat 6.64 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 29.6 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 14.1 g
  - Omega-3 1.41 g
  - Omega-6 7.05 g
Vitamins 84.9 mg
- Vitamin A 20 µg
- Vitamin B1 — Thiamine 0.2 mg
- Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin 0.15 mg
- Vitamin B3 — Niacin 1.93 mg
- Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid 0.48 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.14 mg
- Vitamin B7 — Biotin 14 µg
- Vitamin B9 — Folate 37 µg
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Vitamin E 4.53 mg
- Vitamin K 4.5 µg
Minerals 286 mg
- Major Minerals 277 mg
  - Calcium 36 mg
  - Sodium 5.05 mg
  - Potassium 236 mg
- Trace Minerals 9.2 mg
  - Iron 1.1 mg
  - Zinc 3.1 mg
  - Iodine 5 µg
Salt 0.01 g
- Sodium Chloride 0.01 g

Vitamins

vitamin-c: 2 · vitamin-a: 20 · vitamin-b1-thiamine: 0.2 · vitamin-b2-riboflavin: 0.15 · vitamin-b3-niacin: 1.93 · vitamin-b5-pantothenic-acid: 0.48 · vitamin-b6: 0.14 · vitamin-b7-biotin: 14 · vitamin-b9-folate: 37 · vitamin-e: 4.53 · vitamin-k: 4.5 ·

Minerals

Sodium: 5.05 · Potassium: 236 · Calcium: 36 · Iron: 1.1 · Zinc: 3.1 · Iodine: 5 ·

Nuts pack energy-dense oils, plant protein, and fibre; sodium stays low until salted.

In the kitchen

Culinary partners and combinations that usually underperform with Sesame Seed.

Pairs well with

Classic and complementary matches

Garlic
Ginger
HoneyHalva
Soy SauceEast Asian
Spring Onion
TahiniMiddle Eastern

Usually avoid with

Often clash in flavour or tradition

Grading systems

Grades are placed along a shared scale so systems can be compared side by side.

Global

Hulled / Natural

Crushing Grade Natural Food Grade Hulled Premium

India

India Sesame

Oil Grade White 98/2 Black Sesame White Natural 99/1

History

3000 BCEIN

Sesame was cultivated in the Indus region as one of the oldest oilseed crops.

1000 BCE

Sesame spread across the Middle East and Africa for oil, paste, and seed foods.

800JP

East Asian cookery adopted sesame oil and seeds for seasoning and dressings.

1900

Industrial tahini and sesame oil made sesame a global pantry seed.