Sesame Seed

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Sesame seeds is one of the favorite spices of people for thousands of years. It is a traditional addition to dishes in oriental cuisine. Just one teaspoon of sesame seeds makes a person more vibrant and energetic. Apart from being rich in vitamins, it is also very tasty.

History of sesame

Sesame seeds are maybe the oldest spice, known to man, dating from 1600 BC. It has been deeply valued for its oil, which is extremely resistant to rancidity. Sesame, open (in English sesame means sesame), the famous phrase from the book 1001 Nights, reflects the distinctive property of sesame to dissolve its cocoon when it reaches its maturation phase. The scientific name of sesame seeds is Sesamun indicum.

Sesame is a small, flat, oval walnut-flavored seed with a very delicate aroma. They can be of different colors depending on their type. There are white, yellow, black sesame and red sesame.

Sesame seeds are highly valued for their high content of sesame oil, which is extremely resistant to spoilage. You should not overdo it with consumption of sesame seedsbecause it is high in calories. In 1 tbsp. Sesame contains about 50 calories.

Sesame is believed to have come from India, as it was first mentioned in Indian legends, in which it was a symbol of immortality. From India sesame seeds are propagated to the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Today, the largest producers of sesame are India, China and Mexico.

Sesame composition

Sesame seeds are not only an exceptional source of copper and manganese, but also a very good source of magnesium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, vitamin B1 and dietary fiber. In addition to these valuable minerals and vitamins, sesame also contains two unique ingredients - sesamin and sesamolin. Sesame seeds are rich in zinc and tryptophan. Only a quarter cup of it provides 74% of the daily requirement of copper, 35% of calcium and 32% of magnesium.

Selection and storage of sesame seeds

- If you buy sesame seeds packaged, see if the package is hermetically sealed;

- If possible, smell the sesame to make sure it is not spoiled;

- If sesame seeds are unpeeled, it can be stored in a cool, dry and dark place. If peeled, it is good to store in the refrigerator or freezer.

Sesame seeds in cooking

Sesame seeds are a major ingredient in tahini (sesame seed paste) and the wonderful Arabic cake - halva. Sesame is available all year round.

Sesame seeds are a great spice that can be added to many dishes, giving them richness and pleasant taste. Homemade pastries become irresistible with a teaspoon or two of sesame seeds. Combines very well with lemon and honey. Add sesame seeds to the dough for rolls, cakes or cupcakes. You can sprinkle it on stewed vegetables or salad. Make the chicken skewers and bites tastier by rolling them in sesame seeds.

Another option to prepare a delicious chicken is to mix sesame seeds with vinegar, honey and garlic and spread the resulting mixture on the chicken before roasting. You can easily roast sesame seeds. Put a few teaspoons in a dry pan and bake for 1-2 minutes until lightly browned. In this form, it becomes a great decoration of pickles or a spice for rice dishes. You can mix them with mayonnaise and turkey or tuna and spread them on sandwiches.

If you have black sesame (nigella), before adding it to dishes, healthy smoothies, breakfast with yogurt and salads, soak it in water overnight. In this way you will make it easier to digest and faster absorbed by the body. Black sesame is also useful because it contains iron, vitamin B, zinc, calcium. Before eating sesame seeds should be toasted in a dry pan for a few minutes.

Benefits of sesame seeds

Sesamin and sesamolin belong to the group of so-called lignans, which have cholesterol-lowering and vitamin E-boosting effects. Sesamin protects the liver from the adverse effects of oxygen.

- It is rich in useful minerals. Sesame seeds are a very rich source of copper, magnesium and calcium, which, in turn, give the following healthy results:

- Copper gives relief in rheumatoid arthritis. The effectiveness of copper is due to the fact that it is an important micromineral, playing an important role in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant enzyme systems;

- Magnesium maintains cardiovascular and respiratory health. It is very useful in cases of air spasms in arrhythmia, lowers high blood pressure and restores normal sleep in menopausal women;

- Calcium helps protect against colon cancer, osteoporosis and migraines;

- Zinc is very important for bone strength. Contained in sesame seeds Zinc is a particularly good solution for elderly men. Although osteoporosis is thought to be common in postmenopausal women, it appears to be a potential problem for older men, which means that they should include foods rich in this mineral in their diet.

Zinc is a very important element for the synthesis of collagen, which is responsible for healthy skin and hair. Therefore, sesame can be defined as a good and natural cosmetic. Sesame oil has the power to slow down the appearance of signs of aging, as well as to limit the appearance of scars on the skin;

- The phytosterols found in sesame seeds lower cholesterol levels. Phytosterols are compounds that are found in plants and have a chemical structure similar to cholesterol. When present in our diet in sufficient quantities, they reduce blood cholesterol levels and increase the response of our immune system to the risk of certain cancers;

- Eat sesame seeds for a healthy oral cavity - thanks to its astringent and actibacterial action, the seeds eliminate bacteria that would otherwise cause damage both in the oral cavity and in other areas of the whole body. Sesame can get rid of plaque and darkening of the teeth. For this purpose or for prevention you can gnaw with 1 tbsp. sesame oil in the morning and evening before bedtime;

- Sesame seeds are also rich in iron, which makes it useful for those suffering from anemia. If you have this problem, add a handful of sesame seeds to your breakfast in the morning. Only she will get you 29% iron;

- In case of digestive problems, eat sesame seeds to relieve the discomfort. The seeds contain fiber, which takes care of the easy digestion of food and the health of the digestive system;

- If you overdo it with alcohol, detoxify the body with sesame seeds. It takes care of the liver and helps it neutralize the harmful effects of alcohol. Purifies the body of toxins;

- It is believed that there is a connection between the liver and the eyes. It follows that sesame is also useful for improving vision. Eat sesame seeds for good eye health.

Attention! Do not overdose and over-consume sesame seeds, as this can lead to stomach upset, pain or irritation.

In all other cases, you can indulge in some fluffy sesame pretzels or one of our healthy sesame recipes.