Sesame

Lore & Background

The word 'sesame' derives from Latin sesamum and Greek σήσαμον, which in turn come from ancient Semitic languages such as Akkadian šamaššamu. The specific epithet indicum means 'of India'. Sesame was cultivated in ancient Egypt, where it was called sesemt and appears in the Ebers Papyrus (c. Others believe it may have originated in Ethiopia.

Reader's Guide

Its drought tolerance and ability to grow in poor soils have made it a 'survivor crop' for subsistence farmers. The plant produces seeds with high oil content, used in cooking and oil extraction worldwide. Sesame seeds are rich in B vitamins and minerals like calcium, iron, and magnesium, though they contain phytic acid, an antinutrient reduced by heating. The seeds also contain lignans such as sesamin and sesamolin. A meta-analysis indicated that sesame consumption may slightly reduce blood pressure. Sesame allergies are common relative to other foods. The crop's main challenge is seedpod shattering (dehiscence), which complicates harvest; modern breeding aims to develop indehiscent varieties for mechanical harvesting.

Did You Know?

• The word 'sesame' derives from ancient Semitic languages, including Akkadian šamaššamu.
• Sesame seeds have one of the highest oil contents of any seed.
• A meta-analysis showed that sesame consumption produced small reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.