Monday, May 2, 2011

sesame seeds white and black..


Sesame seeds may be the oldest condiment known to man dating back to as early as 1600 BC. Sesame seeds have been used throughout history as both a food source and for sesame seed oil. Sesame seeds are high in copper,
manganese, calcium and magnesium. 
Sesame seeds also provide iron, phosporus,
and zinc, vitamin B1 and vitamin E.
The minerals found in sesame seeds play a crucial role in health.
Sesame seeds can easily be added to a 
variety of menu items, adding taste, texture, and eye-appeal. Sesame seeds add a nutty
taste and a delicate, almost invisible, crunch
to many Asian dishes. 
They are also the main ingredient in 'Tahini' 
of Middle Eastern dishes such as humus and falafel. Tahini, or sesame seed paste is made from whole sesame seeds.
The term "sesame butter" can sometimes
refer to tahini made from sesame seed kernels, or it can also be used to mean a seed paste made from whole sesame seeds.
Sesame is grown primarily for its oil-rich 
seeds, which come in a variety of colors, 
from cream-white to charcoal-black.
Black sesame seeds are small, flat seeds, 
dark in color, that are used in cooking or for their medicinal properties. The use of sesame seeds and sesame oil dates back thousands 
of years. Sesame oil, or 'Gingelly,'  is not just 
a tasty, useful food product.
It is derived from the sesame seed, sesame 
oil is best known as a common ingredient 
in Asian and East Indian cooking.
Sesame oil has been used as an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and pain
reliever in skin conditions, gum disease
and a variety of other illnesses.
Modern science now knows that sesame 
oil is a powerful antioxidant.
In Hindu legends and beliefs, tales are 
told in which sesame seeds represent
a symbol of immortality and the God Maha Vishnu's consort Maha Sri Devi herself representing the properties of the sesame 
seed, as such it is considered as the most auspicious oil next to Ghee used in Hindu
rituals and prayers. In Orissa, Raashi ladu (sweet made of Sesame) is a must as an 
offering to Lord Ganesha. Black sesame seeds are mixed with grains of rice and offered
to the manes. White sesame seeds mixed
with rice are offered to the gods and seers 
of the Veda. Both of these offerings are
called tarpanam.
Sesame oil is used to pacify the malefic 
effect of Lord Shani (Saturn).

1 comment:

  1. try to use sesame seeds in your daily cooking, a
    recipe of sesame toast is posted..

    ReplyDelete