Sesame ( Til )

Sesame seeds also known as Benne are derived from the plant of the Sesamum genus and bears the scientific name of Sesamum indicum. Sesame seeds are considered the oldest oildseed crop in the world, and have been intentionally cultivated for more than 3,500 years. It has a distinctly nutty flavor. Most of the health benefits are derived from the oils, which are found in higher concentrations in sesame seeds that in any other oilseed crop in the world. The sesame plant is no more than 3 feet tall, and the seeds are released from small pods along the plants’ axes. The seeds themselves are very small, only 3-4 mm long and 2 mm wide. The seeds comes in a wide variety of colors, depending on the variety or strain of the sesame plant. It contains vitamins, minerals, natural oils, and organic compounds which consist of calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, manganese, copper, zinc, fiber, thiamin, vitamin B6, folate, protein, and tryptophan. They are commonly added to salads, as an ingredient or topping for bread and grain products, crackers, sushi, cakes, soups, breading for fish and meat, and a wide variety of other applications.