Thursday, November 21

    Sesame facts

    Sesame plant is an erect and annual which grows upto 2 meters high. It has ovate leaves that appear on stem that could be unbranched or branched which depends on the variety. After six weeks of plantation, the plant yields tubular and furry flowers similar to cornucopia in shape. Flowers could be yellow, white, pink and violet. The flowers are self-pollinated. The plant is inherent to subtropical and tropical regions and requires much moisture and warmth for its growth. The ripened seeds are white, black or light that also depends on a variety.

    Name Sesame
    Scientific Name Sesamum indicum
    Native Native to Africa and India.
    Common/English Name Beniseed, Benniseed, Benneseed, Sesame, Til, Gingelly, Goma, Gergelim, Ajonjolí, Gimgelim, Simsim, Wangila, Ufuta, Sesam, Zhi ma, Hu ma, Chamkkae, Benne, Beni, Benne seed, Sesame seed, Sim sim, Abongra, Zhi ma, Hu ma, Sesamzaad, Goma, Sesamo, Shiro goma, Semilla de ajonjolí, Cham kkae, Sésamo, Sesam, Sésame blanc, Sezam indyjski, Graines de sesame
    Name in Other Languages India:  Acchellu
    Spain: Ajonjoli
    Malaysia: Bijan
    Korea: Chaam-kkae
    Bulgaria: Cycam
    Thailand: Dee la
    Brazil: Gergelim
    United Kingdom: Gingelly
    Japan: Goma
    Estonia: Harilik seesam
    China: Hei chih ma
    Korea: Kkae
    Japan: Koba
    Iran: Konjed
    Russia: Kunzhut
    Estonia: Kunzuut
    Philippines: Linga
    Laos: Man nga
    Thailand: Ngaa
    Arabic countries: Sasim
    Finland: Seesami
    United Kingdom: Semsem
    Denmark: Sesam
    Germany: Sesam
    Spain: Sesam
    Sweden: Sesam
    France: Sesame
    United Kingdom: Sesame
    United States: Sesame
    Iceland: Sesamfre
    Greece: Sesami
    Netherlands: Sesamkruid
    Italy: Sesamo
    Portugal: Sesamo
    Spain: Sesamo
    Netherlands: Sesamzaad
    Slovakia: Sezam indicky
    Croatia: Sezam
    Czech Republic: Sezam
    Poland: Sezam
    Russia: Sezam
    Ukraine: Sezam
    Latvia: Sezama seklas
    Slovenia: Sezama
    Lithuania: Sezamas
    Armenia: Shooshma
    Israel: Shumshum
    Netherlands: Sim-sim
    Finland: Suom
    Albania: Susam
    Turkey: Susam
    Romenia: Susan
    Sweden: Sven
    Hungary: Szezam
    Israel: Szezammag
    France: Teel
    Pakistan: Til
    Mozambique: Ufuta
    Tanzania: Ufuta
    Germany: Vanglo
    Vietnam: Vung
    Indonesia: Wijen
    Plant Growth Habit Erect, annual
    Growing Climate Tropical
    Soil Sandy, well drained
    Plant Size 0.5-1.5 m
    Lifespan Annual but occasionally perennial
    Branched Highly branched or unbranched
    Leaf 7.5-12.5 cm, simple, alternate, ovate, oblong or lanceolate, toothed
    Flowering Season Mid-Summer or Late Summer/Early Fall
    Flower White, pink, mauve pink,  bell shaped, hermaphrodite (develop in the leaf axils)
    Fruit shape & size Capsule, oblong to quadrangular, compressed; Length: 1.5-5 cm
    Flavor/aroma Rich, nutty
    Taste Pleasant
    Seed Black, white,brown; Length: 2.5-3 mm; Wide: 1.5 mm; 50 to 100 seeds or more; Thickness: 1 mm; egg shaped
    Seed weight 20 and 40 mg
    Major Nutritions Copper, Cu 5.878 mg (653.11%)
    Iron, Fe 20.95 mg (261.88%)
    Total Fat (lipid) 71.52 g (204.34%)
    Manganese, Mn 3.542 mg (154.00%)
    Calcium, Ca 1404 mg (140.40%)
    Phosphorus, P 906 mg (129.43%)
    Tryptophan 0.559 g (127.05%)
    Magnesium, Mg 505 mg (120.24%)
    Zinc, Zn 11.16 mg (101.45%)
    Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) 1.139 mg (94.92%)
    Health Benefits
    • Health problems
    • Promotes cholesterol
    • Prevents E.coli
    • Maintains blood pressure
    • Prevents cancer
    • Manage diabetes
    • Healthy bones
    • Assist digestion
    • Reduce inflammation
    • Protects radiation
    • Hair and skin health
    • Metabolic functions
    Calories in 1cup (144 gm) 825 Kcal.
    Traditional uses
    • It helps to treat hair greying, hair loss, chronic dry constipation, osteoporosis, dry cough etc.
    • It is useful for ulcers and haemorrhoids.
    • The oil with lime water treats boils, burns and ulcers.
    • The root decoction treats coughs and asthma.
    • The fresh leaves and seeds are used as a poultice.
    • The seeds help to cure piles, respiratory disorders and also used as body massages.
    • Sesame oil also treats gum and teeth ache.
    Precautions
    • It provokes allergic reactions.
    • Sesame oil and seeds are allergen to infants.
    • Some of the symptoms are hives, nasal itching, sneezing, congestion, wheezing, rhinorrhea, tightness of throat, weakness, fainting, cough, difficulty in breathing, rapid heartbeat, hoarse voice, cramps, mouth itchiness, unconsciousness and abdominal pain.
    • Sesame affects the level of blood sugar.
    • Sesame also lowers the blood pressure.
    How to Eat
    • Seed are cooked, roasted or stewed.
    • Seeds are used as flour and added to vegetables, breads and sweetmeats.
    • The grounded powder is mixed with sweetener for making halva.
    • The sprouted seeds are used in salads.
    • Young leaves are added to stews.
    • Seeds are used to make cakes as well.
    • Sesame oil adds the flavor of pickles, spicy foods and condiments.
    • Sesame seeds are added to bread, cookies and muffins.
    • Spread sesame paste on a toasted bread or honey could be drizzled.
    • Sesame seeds could be combined with soy sauce, rice vinegar and crushed garlic and used as a dressing for salads, noodles and vegetables.
    Other Facts
    • The largest importer of Sesame in the world is Japan.
    • Canada, United States, Turkey, Netherlands and France are the other major importers.
    • Seeds are regarded as emollient, tonic, nourishing, lactagogue and diuretic.