Sesame Paste: A Nutritious Ingredient for Delicacies

Sesame paste is prepared from ground sesame seeds. It is the chief ingredient of many Middle Eastern delicacies and is also known as ‘tahini’ or ‘tahina’, depending on the location where it is used. It has a liquid consistency, generally prepared using either hulled toasted sesame seeds or unhulled sesame seeds. If toasted sesame seeds are used, then the sesame paste would look darker and have a more nutty taste. The paste is generally available in cans and jars as well as in dehydrated form.

Sesame Paste Prepared From Hulled and Unhulled Sesame Seeds

The sesame paste that is prepared from unhulled sesame seeds is the most nutritious type of tahini to be available. The hulled tahini does not have much of proteins, calcium, and vitamins as the unhulled tahini. However, the unhulled tahini is comparatively bitterer.

Nutritional Benefits of Sesame Paste

Sesame paste is a source of vitamin B, proteins, and calcium. It also contains a good amount of Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) which is extremely helpful in maintaining healthy skin. The vitamin E and antioxidants in the sesame paste is very helpful in reducing the rate of ageing of the body cells, thereby slowing down the ageing process. Sesame paste also contains a good amount of methionine, which is an important amino acid, helping in liver detoxification. Apart from this, it also absorbs other amino acids.

Uses of Sesame Paste

Sesame paste is frequently used by people who are on a raw food diet. It can be used as a dip with cruidite or even with roasted vegetables. Apart from this, it can also be used as a spread while eating bread. In this context it can be mentioned that sesame paste is often quoted as ‘peanut butter alternative’. Sesame paste or tahini is the chief ingredient to be used in Hummus, which is a Middle Eastern delicacy. Hummus is a spread which is chick-pea based. It is prepared using lemon juice, sesame paste or tahini, chik peas, garlic, and olive oil. It has become a common part of the diet of the people of Greece, Israel, and Turkey. Baba ganoush is another Middle Eastern food item which is prepared using sesame paste along with garlic, roasted aubergine, lemon juice, ground cumin, and salt.

Sesame paste is thus an important ingredient, not only in Middle Eastern delicacies, but also in several other cuisines and can be easily prepared at home, and can also be purchased in the market.