Tahini isn’t just your dime-a-dozen dip. Its mouthwatering aroma and consistent, delicate viscosity doubtlessly take cooking condiment to a new level. And, you know what, its alluring scent is just as soothing as its flavor! But what does tahini taste like?
Short answer:
Tahini tastes nutty. But there’s more to its unique flavor and content than meets the eye.
This article concisely covers every exciting fact about them. So brace yourself to realize:
What Is Tahini?
Tahini is a Middle Eastern condiment where it is a popular ingredient for hummus, another native dish. It is also common in North Africa, Levant, South Caucasus, and East Meditteranean.
Apparently, tahini is a loanword from Modern Greek but of Arabic origin.
It has many substitute terms in various languages like “tahine,” “tahin,” and “tahina” (its English name).
Historically, a cuniform document records sesame as some wine custom of serving the gods. Over three millennia ago, the Euphrates and Tigris regions in Mesopotamia cultivated it for oil.
But a 13th-century cookbook was the first to use the Hummus Kasa (tahini) term.
It was among a recipe’s ingredients.
Today, tahini is more widespread in different parts of the world! You’ll find them in many North American cuisines. Japanese, Chinese, and Indian cooks are also fans of tahini.
How Is Tahini Made?
Get recipe: pastryandbeyond.com
Take these easy steps to make your homemade tahini in no time:
1. Gather your ingredients
First, you’ll need sesame seeds and oil. Salt is optional.
2. Toast the sesame seeds
Then, pour a cup of your seeds into a wide saucepan. Next, regulate the heat to medium-low and constantly stir with a spoon. Continue until they are darkened and aromatic.
Note that toasting isn’t compulsory and depends on your preference.
Fun Fact: Toasted sesame seeds are generally better flavored than raw ones.
3. Process the seeds
When the sesame seeds cool, turn them into your food processor. Then, process them until they form a crumbly paste.
4. Add the oil
Note that tahini paste is always smooth. So, you wouldn’t want yours to be any different.
Then, add some tablespoons of neutral oil. Two or three spoons should be enough. Next, taste it and add a pinch of salt if needed.
Lastly, process the seeds again until you achieve the desired smoothness.
After that, your tahini should be ready!
Note: We recommend using hulled sesame seeds over unhulled ones. Hulled ones are lighter colored and will produce creamier tahini. You can still use unhulled ones for your curiosity, but you may perceive its tahini as more bitter-tasting.
What Does Tahini Taste Like?
Apparently, tahini isn’t sweet like most other nut pastes and butter.
Many people feel an appealing blend of nutty, savory, and bitter flavors in tahini.
Actually, some cooks season it with salt.
If the salt is excess, the tahini will be saltier accordingly.
Although unhulled tahini is rare, it is more bitter than hulled ones. If the bitterness is too intense, it could already be spoilt.
Uses of Tahini
Generally speaking, cooks often use tahini as an ingredient. In fact, you’ll know how importanttahini is if you’ve ever made hummus.
Maybe, you’ve most likely seen it in chocolate chip cookie and banana bread recipes if you’re more of a baker.
If not, your next Middle Eastern meal may inventively include it.
Actually, the Levants treat tahini as a staple foodstuff. It goes with lemon juice and salt, with some optional mashed garlic.
Like the Middle Easterns, they also use tahini as a dip with pita and inclusion in various spreads.
In Iran, tahini is commonly eaten during breakfast.
With other sweet condiments like date and grape syrups, it’s just the perfect meal to start your day. As a matter of fact, people also eat tahini in hopes of using its health benefits!
What Are The Health Benefits Of Eating Tahini?
Tahini, being sesame seeds, have multiple health benefits. Let’s go over them one by one.
1. Contain essential vitamins
Generally, tahini contains many vitamins, especially B vitamins. They improve metabolism and ensure your body cells are working well.
2. Fiber-rich source
Tahini contains significant fiber. Fiber supports the digestive system. So eating tahini may improve digestive health.
3. Has essential antioxidants
Actually, tahini has enough antioxidants. They reduce the risk of disease by preventing free radical damage.
4. Lowers blood pressure.
Yes, tahini is rich in magnesium which helps regulate blood pressure.
Interestingly, studies have proven that its vitamin E, lignans, and antioxidants content helps prevent the fat build-up in your arteries.
In addition, it also ultimately helps maintain blood pressure.
5. Assists bone development
Yes, tahini contains calcium for healthy bones.
6. Lowers cholesterol levels.
Significantly, tahini can help reduce cholesterol levels.
7. Aids formation of blood cells.
Tahini contains copper, iron, and vitamin B6. These minerals and vitamins help you produce red blood cells.
Your body also uses its zinc content to activate white blood cells to fight microbes.
8. Improves immunity
Indeed, tahini contains copper, selenium, zinc, iron, vitamin B6, and vitamin E. All of these nutrients support the immune system.
9. Strengthening the nervous system.
Intriguingly, tahini contains compounds that can help the brain fight against diseases like dementia.
10. Protects the kidney and liver.
Multiple studies have shown that compounds in tahini protect the kidneys and liver. Generally, both organs must be in optimum health to eliminate toxins.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can tahini be frozen?
Yes. You can freeze tahini to prevent spoilage. It will last from six months to a year.
To freeze tahini, portion them into airtight containers. Label them with dates. And keep them in the main freezer body.
Alternatively, you can first freeze them into solid with ice cube trays.
Then, put the solids in a freezer bag.
Lastly, label the bag and arrange it in the freezer.
2. Can tahini be heated?
Yes. You can heat tahini with other ingredients for a whole cuisine.
In fact, tahini sauce is one such familiar case. Additionally, cooks often heat the ingredients together after mixing.
3. How can you store tahini properly?
In truth, there are different ways to store tahini well. You can keep it in your pantry, fridge, or freezer!
As a matter of fact, it will last for three to four months in a pantry. Just make sure that the pantry is cool and dry.
If you refrigerate tahini, it will last for up to six months. Remember to keep it away from foods with a strong odor.
4. Can tahini be used as a salad dressing?
Yes. You can use tahini to dress a salad.
First, blend tahini with other ingredients to dress the salad.
Apparently, you can choose olive oil, lemon juice, and ginger as your dressing. Then, you can add them all, including apple cider vinegar.
Finally, drizzle the blend over your salad.
Take Away
We hope this article has finally answered your question “what does tahini taste like?“. Tahini has a distinct nutty flavor which isn’t overly sweet like most nut butter.
It is most noteworthy as a dip and an ingredient.
Thanks to numerous research, your body would thank you for consuming tahini. Its several health benefits are incredible!
Give this condiment a try today, and reach out to us.
Let’s know your takes!
