Sesame; Sesame Oil; Sesame Paste; Sesame Seeds

The sesame oil produced and used in Burma is made from unroasted sesame seeds, so it is almost clear and has a light nutty taste. (By contrast, in China and Japan, most sesame oil is brown, because it’s made of seeds that have been roasted; the process gives it an intense roasted-sesame flavor.) Sesame oil keeps well, is high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (oleic and linoleic), and is stable when heated. This makes it a very desirable cooking oil. Unroasted sesame oil is sold in South Asian groceries (labeled “gingelly” or “gingili” oil) and is also available in some Middle Eastern groceries.