Spice guide / Sesame seed
What is Sesame seed?
White or black sesame. Allergen: sesame.
Short answer: Sesame seed (Hindi: तिल) is Sesamum indicum. Nutty, toasty. Culinary use only — not a medicine.
| Common name | Sesame seed |
|---|---|
| Hindi | तिल |
| Sanskrit | — |
| Botanical name | Sesamum indicum |
| Family | — |
| Origin | India |
| Main producing regions | Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal |
| Flavour | Nutty, toasty |
| Aroma | — |
| Forms | seeds |
| Retail packs | 100g–5kg (typical; see products) |
| Bulk | 10kg+ |
What is Sesame seed?
Sesame is a mandatory allergen in UK/EU labelling. Gujarat is a major Indian producing state.
History of Sesame seed
Origin
India
Growing regions
Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal
How it is grown
Harvest
Processing
Grades
- Standard: Admin-configured commercial grade
- Premium: Admin-configured higher visual/purity selection
- Export Grade: Only show when export specifications exist for the lot
- Machine Cleaned: Machine cleaned — confirm process for the lot
Only grades that apply to a lot should be shown at purchase. These are templates, not invented industry certificates.
Flavour, aroma and colour
Nutty, toasty. . Colour: . Heat: none.
Whole vs ground
Sesame seed is usually used whole. Toast briefly in dry pan or hot fat, then leave whole in the dish or grind. Do not confuse toasting with burning — bitter notes mean it went too far.
Culinary uses
- Ladoo
- Chikki
- Curry
- Tempering
Traditional uses
Recorded in culinary tradition. Traditional use is not scientific evidence of a medical effect.
SpicyCenter does not claim that spices cure, treat or prevent disease.
Storage and shelf life
Nutrition
Sesame seed is a culinary seasoning. Nutrition values are pack-specific and must match the label for UK/EU sale. We do not claim that this spice treats, cures or prevents disease.
Buying guide
Tell us the quantity you need, from 100 gm to 1 metric ton. Prices are not published on this website. Availability is confirmed on the enquiry.
Recipes using this spice
- Puliyodarai (tamarind rice) — Temple-style sour rice paste with mustard and sesame.
- Undhiyu (simplified) — Winter Gujarati mixed vegetables with coriander-cumin (dhana jeeru).
