Tahini

Tahini is an oily paste made from pounded sesame seeds. It has a rich, nutty flavour and is used throughout the Middle East in a variety of ways – as a creamy sauce to go with falafel, fish or vegetables, or in dips such as hummus or baba ghanoush. Tahini comes in light and dark pastes, and does vary considerably in taste. We prefer the paler version, as it is lighter and less strong in flavour. Because of its high oil content, tahini in a closed jar will keep for a year before it starts to taste stale.