Tahini

Where to buy it, how to use it, and more!

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Tahini is similar to peanut butter but with a completely different flavor (a little umami, a little bitter). It’s made from sesame seeds and is silky-smooth in texture.

Where to buy the best tahini

How to choose the best tahini –

Be picky when choosing tahini. Some brands use old or lower quality sesame seeds and consequently, their tahini has an off flavor. It may also be overly bitter or even rancid.

Good tahini has a fresh taste and is made from fresh, high quality sesame seeds and has no other added ingredients (just sesame seeds and maybe salt).

My favorite brand of tahini is the organic Baron brand.

Is tahini a healthy food?

Tahini is very good-for-you.  It’s rich in calcium (good for the bones) and B vitamins (good for the nerves). And tahini is a good source of lignans, which have antioxidant properties.

Different varieties of tahini

Tahini can be made from hulled or unhulled, raw or roasted sesame seeds. Any of those varieties work fine in any of my recipes, but I prefer roasted tahini.

How do you use tahini?

Tahini can be used as a dip for vegetables, a spread for bread or toast, or a sauce for a variety of dishes, such as pasta or steamed vegetables.

My favorite way to use tahini is in small quantities in certain dishes as as a flavor enhancer. (See recipes below.)

Tahini is also delicious mixed with lemon, water, and salt and drizzled it over steamed kale or over a green salad.

Recipes that use tahini

How to store tahini

Opened tahini should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.