About Sesame Seed

Sesame, (Sesamum indicum), also called benne, erect annual plant of the family Pedaliaceae, grown for its seeds.

Sesame seed used for export is found in most of the tropical, subtropical, and southern temperate areas of the world. The aroma and taste of sesame seed are mild and nutlike.

History and Uses of Sesame Seed

The sesame plant likely originated in Asia or East Africa, and ancient Egyptians are known to have used the ground seed as grain flour.

The seeds were used by the Chinese at least 5,000 years ago, and for centuries they have burned the oil to make soot for the finest Chinese ink blocks. The Romans ground sesame seeds with cumin to make a pasty spread for bread.

Sesame seed is one of the oldest oilseed crops known, domesticated well over 3000 years ago. Sesame has many other species, most being wild and native to sub-Saharan Africa.

S. indicum, the cultivated type, originated in India and is tolerant of drought-like conditions, growing where other crops fail.

The seed has numerous uses, one of which is it's being a very good source of vegetable oil that contains no cholesterol, making it the most demanded vegetable oil in the world. They are used as food and flavoring and from which oil is extracted.

The chief constituent of the seed is its fixed oil, which usually amounts to about 44 to 60 percent. Noted for its stability, the oil resists oxidative rancidity. The seeds are also high in protein and are rich in thiamin and vitamin B6.

Sesame seeds came from the East. They are grains with a noticeable and unusual taste that are actively used in the preparation of salads, pastries, and desserts, and even being considered quite a delicacy.

In addition to the unique taste, sesame seeds contain a lot of useful elements. Sesame has one of the highest oil contents of any seed. With a rich, nutty flavor, it is a common ingredient in cuisines across the world.

Sesame Seed Health Benefits

Sesame seeds are famous all over the world for their miraculous properties and health benefits, and therefore they are recommended for maintaining the health of the body by dieting experts and doctors.

So, let's review how these seeds can help us improve our health.

If you want to get the maximum benefit from sesame seed, it is recommended to buy dry grains, and use them soaked or heated. But consider that fried sesame seeds are just a regular seasoning and they do not carry much profit.

Sesame oil is used as a salad oil or cooking oil, in shortening and margarine, and in the manufacture of soaps, pharmaceuticals, and lubricants. Sesame oil is used as an ingredient in cosmetics. The press cake remaining after the oil is expressed as highly nutritious.

Sesame oil is especially prevalent in medicine and cosmetology. There are various recipes of masks for face, body, and hair that are prepared from it.

Such remedies can treat skin diseases and regenerates them, and also treat joint pain. Some people drink some of these remedies to normalize the digestive system and increase the overall tone of the body.

Sesame has one of the highest oil contents of any seed. With a rich, nutty flavor, it is a common ingredient in cuisines across the world.

The most valuable element in sesame is sesamin, which is a powerful antioxidant. Sesamin is an excellent agent for the prevention of cancer, it reduces the level of cholesterol in the blood and improves the condition of nails and hair.