Sesame Tahini

Sesame Tahini is an oil seed, not unlike the sunflower seed, maize seed and rape. However sesame seeds produce the most delicious paste called Tahini. In texture it is rather like peanut butter, but the taste is quite different, having a slightly bitter, nutty flavour.

Nothing more need be said of course about sesame seeds sprinkled on a bun! Yum, delicious and healthy.

It's known that the ancient Egyptians, the Romans and early Chinese all used Sesame. Today it is grown worldwide, and is especially loved by Middle Eastern families.

The plant stands about 5 feet high. Once the seeds are harvested, they are soaked in water, crushed, lightly toasted and then ground, producing a paste that is rather grey in appearance, but not unlike peanut butter in consistency. Nicer we think, partly as you can buy it without the sugar always added to peanut butter.

Some like it sweet. Greek manufacturers make a mixture of tahini and honey. Delicious.

The plant is particularly drought resistant, hence its popularity in the Middle East where it is a great favourite.

Tahini has excellent nutritional value with a high protein and zero cholesterol oil composition. Tahini is very high in healthy mono-unsaturated Oleic acid (though not as high as in Olive oil) and poly-unsaturated Linoleic acid. They are 'essential' fatty acids, meaning that the body cannot manufacture them. It is thought that a deficiency may be the cause, or part of the cause of the serious diseases of the fatty myelin sheath like Motor Neuron Disease. Read more.

It has special interest for vegetarians as sesame seeds contain high quantities of the amino acids methionine and tryptophan, which are missing from most other vegetable protein sources. Sesame seeds are rich in calcium, vitamin B and iron, thus especially good for women.

You may have to frequent the Turkish and Lebanese shops to find it. It's not expensive.

To return from Sesame Tahini to HEALTHY LIVING TIPS.

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