Sesame Seeds are known to be one of the oldest condiments, Native to Indian subcontinent and now grown over tropical regions of Asia, Africa and Middle East. Sesame Seeds are used due to rich in minerals like copper, magnesium, calcium and many beneficial properties. It is widely used on bread, cookies, making sesame oil, sesame paste and toasted sesame seeds.

 

Medicinal Use

The seeds are exceptionally rich in iron, magnesium, manganese, copper, and calcium (90 mg per tablespoon for unhulled seeds, 10 mg for hulled), and contain vitamin B1 (thiamine) and vitamin E (tocopherol). They contain lignin, including unique content of sesamin, which are phytoestrogens with antioxidant and anti-cancer properties. Among edible oils from six plants, sesame oil had the highest antioxidant content.[7] Sesame seeds also contain phytosterols associated with reduced levels of blood cholesterol. The nutrients of sesame seeds are better absorbed if they are ground or pulverized before consumption, as in tahini. Sesame seeds contain a high amount of the anti-nutrient phytic acid. Women of ancient Babylon would eat halva, a mixture of honey and sesame seeds to prolong youth and beauty, while Roman soldiers ate the mixture for strength and energy. Sesame seeds produce an allergic reaction in a small percentage of the general. Sesame oil is used for massage and health treatments of the body (abhyanga and shirodhara) and teeth (oil pulling) in the ancient Indian ayurvedic system. Ayurveda views sesame oil as the most viscous of the plant oils and believes it may pacify the health problems associated with Vata aggravation.

 

Culinary Use

Sesame seeds are sometimes added to breads, including bagels and the tops of hamburger buns. Sesame seeds may be baked into crackers, often in the form of sticks. Sesame seeds are also sprinkled onto some sushi style foods. Whole seeds are found in many salads and baked snacks as well in Japan. In Greece seeds are used in cakes, while in Togo, seeds are a main soup ingredient. In Manipur (North Eastern State of India) Black sesame is used extensively as a favourite side dish called 'Thoiding' and in 'Singju' (A kind of salad). Sesame is used extensively for preparing these two dishes. Unlike mainland Indians they are prepared with ginger in Thoiding with chilli and with vegetables in Singu which is spicy and hot. In Assam, black sesame seeds are hugely used to make Til Pitha and Tilor laru (sesame seed balls) during bihu. Also in Tamil Nadu, sesame oil used extensively in their cuisine, 'Milakai Podi', a ground powder made of sesame and dry chili is used to enhance flavor and consumed along with other traditional foods such as idli. Sesame (benne) seed cookies and wafers, both sweet and savory, are still consumed today in places like Charleston, South Carolina. Ground and processed, the seeds can also be used in sweet confections. Chefs in tempura restaurants blend sesame and cottonseed oil for deep-frying. Sesame oil was preferred cooking oil in India until the advent of peanut oil.