Sesame seeds are one of the most enjoyed spices in the world, which is revered by cooks due to its incredible versatility and the sheer range of flavors it can provide based on its type. It is also extremely healthy, packing enough nutrients to be considered a ‘superfood’ by scientists and doctors. However, sometimes its various forms confuse the cook, who ends up buying a less suitable variant and ruining the whole dish. This guide, therefore, aims to correlate variants with discrete properties and flavors.
Sesame seed types can be easily defined based on the flavor they lend to the dish in question. Since the diverse ways in which the sesame seed is prepared gives it a different aroma, the preparation method of the spice is also an essential factor to check before choosing the right pack of seeds. Other approaches for selecting between kinds include the content/price ratio, the type of packaging employed, the amount of requirement, and more.
There are countless variants of sesame seed available in the market, but this guide will focus on the two major types for the sake of simplicity. These are incredibly adaptable depending on the recipe’s flavors, and can be easily procured as well. The first type is the black sesame, which is choke full of beneficial nutrients, even more so than other kinds. They also have adequate and are perfect for yogurt-based preparations. The other type is the original sesame variant, which appears white in color. These are typically used due to their crunchiness and are invaluable as garnishings on burgers.
The next way to distinguish between sesame seeds is based on their preparation method. This is further divided into several levels, where the primary level of preparation is the removal of their outer layer. Sesame seeds can either be ‘hulled’ or ‘unhulled.’ Hulled grains are lacking their outer husk layer, which gives it a different, unique flavor alongside accentuating its aroma. Conversely, unhulled seeds still have their coating on and thus gain all the health benefits that come with it. They are processed separately.
Apart from their hulling status, other preparation methods can be considered while buying. For example, if the cook intends to season their fast food and bagel with a sesame sprinkle, they can buy an appropriately mixed version of the traditional preparation. This may contain additional spices like onions and garlic and can also come in a specially-designed shaker container. It is typically advised to buy sesame seeds in small quantities as they are perishable due to oil abundance.
Categories Simillar to Sesame Seeds includes Pistachio Nuts, Soy Nuts