Natural sesame seeds, Packaging Type : Black, Brown, White

These tiny oval seeds, which grow on a tall annual plant, are basic to many of the world’s cuisines, including those of Africa, India, and China. Dark sesame oil is a staple cooking ingredient in Asia. And tahini, a spread similar to peanut butter, is known as the “butter of the Middle East.” Sesame seeds are also ground, mixed with honey, and formed into huge blocks for a Middle Eastern candy called halvah (although this term, which just means “candy,” is also applied to similar mixtures made with various grains and nuts instead of sesame seeds). Sesame seeds were brought to America with the slave trade, and are still used in several popular Southern recipes where they are called “benne seeds.” Their most familiar use in this country is as a topping on breads, buns, and rolls. You can buy hulled or unhulled sesame seeds. The unhulled seeds, which are darker in color, have the bran intact and are an excellent source of iron and phosphorus. There are also black sesame seeds, but they are smaller and somewhat more bitter.