SESAME SEEDS
Sesame seeds are flat oval shaped seeds with a wonderfully nutty taste and delicate crunch. The whole seed is the main ingredient in two well-known middle eastern dishes, tahini, and halvah. Yet, they are especially valued for their oil which has been shown to be very resistant to becoming rancid and has a high smoke point making it excellent for cooking. This tasty seed is easily found year-round.
Sesame seeds, also known by their botanical name sesamum, are believed to be one of the first condiments and edible oils used from a plant source. It is thought that these seeds first originated in Africa or India, where they were a symbol of immortality. The Persians and Babylonians all cultivated and used it for medicinal and culinary purposes. The first written accounts from the Assyrians date back to 3000 BC. The sesame seed was brought to America by African slaves, a cultivated crop ever since. Unlike many other seeds, sesame comes in 4 colors, though black and white are the most commonly available.
While this seed can be found very easily year-round, it tends to grow very well in tropical climates from the spring to the fall. Each sesame plant grows approximately 15-20 fruits which contain 80-100 seeds per fruit. They mature in 100 days, and the ripe capsule bursts open to scatter its seeds. Depending on the conditions, this plant can grow from .5 to 2.5 meters tall with white flowers shaped like a trumpet. Generally, you will see one to three flowers appear on the leaf axils. The original reason this food gained such popularity is for the amazingly versatile oil it contains. The oil is used in shortenings, cooking, soaps pharmaceuticals. This is because the oil is very stable even at high temperatures, so many other oils.
This tiny seed packs a powerful punch of nourishment. There are about 573 calories per 100 grams of sesame seeds, and a good portion comes from its nourishing fats. According to the USDA nutritional database of the 100-gram serving, 23.45 grams is from carbs, 11.8 grams are from fiber, 17.73 is from protein, and 49.67 is from fats. The fats contained in sesame seeds are 50% mono-unsaturated oleic acid. Research on these fats has shown to support a healthy lipid profile which may support cardiovascular and neurological health. In the plant kingdom, sesame seeds are known to be one of the better sources of phytosterols. These are compounds found in plants that have a very similar structure to cholesterol, and as science has proven many times over, the presence of cholesterol is very important in the production of healthy hormones.
Sesame seeds are a powerhouse of minerals. According to the USDA nutrition database, a 100-gram serving contains 975 mg of calcium, 4 mg copper, 351 mg of magnesium, 2.4 mg of manganese, 629 mg phosphorus, 7.7 mg of zinc, and 460 mg of potassium. As you know, much research has concluded that minerals from food sources possibly play a vital role in supporting healthy bones, hormones, and blood cell structures. A handful of this simple, delicious food nourishes you with well above the recommended amounts of nutrients, fatty acids, and phytonutrients. So, the next time you are looking for a nourishing snack or to take your meal up a notch nutritionally, make this tasty, nutty seed your first choice.
Some possible traditional uses of Raw Natural Hulled Sesame Seeds may include:
- May support healthy lipid levels
- May support cardiovascular health
- May support brain health
- May support joint health
- May support hormonal health
- May support healthy bowels
- May support blood health
- A source of nourishing fats, fiber, and protein
- May support bone health
Constituents of Sesame Seeds include:
- Minerals: Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese
- Vitamins: B - Complex (no B12)
- Fiber, Protein
- Fatty Acids: Mono and Polyunsaturated, Oleic Acid
- Phytosterols: Beta-sitosterol
Suggested Use: Mix 1 teaspoon of recipe juice, or add to your favorite smoothie.
Mixing Suggestions: To increase flavor and nutritional profile, combine with any food or powder to which you want to give a nutty flavor.
Botanical Name: Sesamum indicum.
Other Names:
Ingredients: Raw Sesame Seeds.
