Origin  India

This seed is considered a seed from the Asia. It was exported by the Portuguese for the oil the seeds produce.

From an annual plant that grows to about three feet tall, this oil rich seed is popular on breads and rolls.  

The seeds are produces in squarish pods.  Commercially the seeds are picked green, dried and then the seed are removed from the pods.  In their natural state the seeds have an outer covering that is light or dark brown; when the outer hull is removed, the inner seed is creamy white.  Seeds with the hull on are sometimes found from specialty suppliers.  Most of the world's commercial sesame crop is used for making sesame oil.

Bland unless toasted the seeds marry well with seafood and poultry and the oil extracts is used extensively in Asian cooking. The seeds are ground and used as a paste or flour. Sesame flour is commonly used with rice flour in pastries, or as a thickener in sauces.

Available  Whole - specify hulled