Sesame seed

Sesame seeds, also known as benne seeds, come from a tall plant that originated in Africa. The plants are still widely grown there and throughout the Far East. The small, flat, oval seeds have a nutty flavor and come in black and brown varieties as well as the more common ivory variation. African slaves brought sesame seeds to the United States, and the seeds became especially popular in the South. Today, sesame seeds and sesame seed oil are used throughout the world and are very much associated with Asian cuisines. In the Middle East, white sesame seeds are made into a paste called tahini and a confection called halvah. Sesame seeds are mostly used in or on top of cakes, cookies, breads, and rolls in Europe. Sesame seeds contain about 50 percent oil, so they can turn rancid very quickly. They can be kept in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to two months but should be refrigerated or frozen for longer storage.