Tahini

The basis for tahini sauce, sesame seeds have a long history of cultivation in Egypt since at least the second century BC. They are utilized not only for their flavor but healthful and culinary benefits. Tahini, also known as tahena, is a paste made from toasted sesame seeds, olive oil, and lemon juice. It is often flavored with salt, pepper, and cumin. In Middle Eastern cookery, tahini is used as a base for sauces and as a flavor-enhancing component in many mezze dishes such as hummus and baba ghanoush, and as a dipping sauce for falafel. No falafel sandwich is complete without a generous helping of tahini smeared on pita bread. It has a nutty flavor that acts as a perfect vehicle for both sweet and savory applications.