Sesame Seeds - Natural White Rich In Antioxidants And Nutrients Versatile Culinary Spice

Believed to be one of the worlda s first spices Sesame Seeds have a very distinct aroma and taste that makes it a very valuable spice. Cultivated primarily for its oil rich seeds these tiny flat oval seeds measuring about 3 mm (1/8 in) long are rich in nutrition.

Sesame seeds contain manganese copper and calcium (90 mg per tablespoon for unhulled seeds only 10 mg for hulled seeds) and contain Vitamin B1 (thiamine) and Vitamin E (tocopherol). They contain powerful antioxidants called lignans which are also anti-carcinogenic. They also contain phytosterols which block cholesterol production.

Though seed colour can vary they are usually beige or creamy white when husked. The food and nutrition industry constitute the major consumers of Sesame seeds.

India dominates the world market and is the largest producer of sesame seeds. Three distinct varieties of sesame seeds are produced in the country:

Natural White
Hulled sesame seeds
Natural Jet Black.
Natural White Sesame Seeds

These flat and tiny seeds contain about 50 to 60% of fatty oil which is characterized by a two lignanes sesamin and sesamolin. During refinement two phenolic antioxidants sesamol and sesaminol are formed.