Sesame seeds

Sesamum indicum L.

Description

Sesame seeds have been cultivated for several thousand years. It is known sesame seeds were grown in Harappa and Assyria times, i.e. 3000 b. c.  It is annual herb, 60-120 cm tall.  The fruit is a deeply grooved capsule of 3-8 cm that contains 50 to 100 or more seeds. The small seeds vary in size up to 3.5 mm. Color may range from yellowish white to red, brown and black. Sesame seeds can be found in market either as natural or hulled seeds. Hulled sesame seeds are without outer husk and have pearly white color.   

 Harvest time

Sesame is ready for harvesting 90 to 150 days after planting. It is October-November in India region 

Growing area

India, Pakistan, Central America, Sudan, China

Uses

Sesame seeds have a rich, nut-like flavor when roasted. The oil is used extensively for cooking, soap manufacture, food, and medicine. Sesame oil and foods fried in sesame oil have a long shelf life because the oil contains an antioxidant called sesamol. The seeds are also popularly added to cookies and other baked goods and are made into candy.