Sesame
Sesamum indicum · Seed
Top 10 pairings
Sesame's tiny, flat, oil-rich seeds range from ivory to black. Mild and faintly nutty raw, they turn deeply nutty once toasted, and are pressed for oil, ground into tahini and halva, and scattered over breads worldwide.
Picking a good onedrag
Plump dry seed, clean and faintly nuttyDull and caked, smells of crayon
Pantry seedEveryday bestScatter it on bread and noodles. Allergic? Read labels; bare bread can carry sesame.
Look at the seed itselfEven, a little dust in the bag
Smell a handfulPlain and dry, nuttiness faded
Pour a handful through your fingersRuns free, dust left on your palm
Whole seed, tahini or oilWhole, from a busy bulk bin