Sesame oil is an ediblevegetable oil derived fromsesame seeds. The oil is one of the earliest-known crop-based oils. Worldwide mass modern production is limited due to the inefficient manual harvesting process required to extract the oil. Oil made from raw seeds, which may or may not be cold-pressed, is used as acooking oil. Oil made from toasted seeds is used for its distinctive nutty aroma and taste, although it may be unsuitable for frying, which makes it taste burnt and bitter.[1]
Sesame seeds are protected by a capsule which bursts only when the seeds are completely ripe, a process calleddehiscence. The dehiscence time tends to vary, so farmers cut plants by hand and place them together in an upright position to continue ripening, until all the capsules have opened.[2]
Tanzania remains the largest producer of sesame oil and also dominates the global consumption of this product. The African and Asian regions constitute the fastest-developing sesame oil markets. The steady growth in demand being observed here is in line with rising household income and urbanization, as well as an increase in the use of sesame oil for food products and Asian dishes.[3]
While some manufacturers will further refine sesame oil throughsolvent extraction, neutralization, and bleaching in order to improve its cosmetic aspects, sesame oil derived from quality seeds already possesses a pleasant taste and does not require further purification before it can be consumed. Many consumers prefer unrefined sesame oil due to their belief that the refining process removes important nutrients. Flavor, traditionally an important attribute, was best in oils produced from mild crushing.[4]
Sesame oil is one of the more stable natural oils, but can still benefit from refrigeration and from limited exposure to light and high temperatures during extraction, processing, and storage; this minimizes nutrient loss through oxidation and rancidity. Storage in amber-colored or opaque bottles can help to minimize light exposure.
Sesame oil is apolyunsaturated (PUFA) semi-drying oil. Commercial sesame oil varies in color from light to deep reddish-yellow depending on the color of the seed processed and the method of milling. Provided that the oil is milled from well-cleaned seed, it can be refined and bleached easily to yield a light-colored limpid oil. Sesame oil is rich in oleic and linoleic acids, which together account for 85% of the total fatty acids. Sesame oil has a relatively high percentage of unsaponifiable matter (1.5-2.3%). In India and in some other European countries, it is obligatory to add sesame oil (5-10%) tomargarine and generally tohydrogenated vegetable fats which are commonly used as adulterants for butter orghee.[citation needed]
About 65% of the annual US sesame crop is processed into oil, and 35% is used in food.[5]
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | 3,699 kJ (884 kcal) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
0.00 g | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
100.00 g | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Saturated | 14.200 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Monounsaturated | 39.700 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Polyunsaturated | 41.700 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
0.00 g | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| †Percentages estimated usingUS recommendations for adults,[6] except for potassium, which is estimated based on expert recommendation from theNational Academies.[7] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A 100 gram (100 ml) reference amount of sesame oil supplies 884calories of food energy (table). The onlyessential nutrient having significant content in sesame oil isvitamin K, providing 13% of theDaily Value per 100 grams (table).
For fats, sesame oil is approximately equal inmonounsaturated fat (oleic acid, 40% of total) andpolyunsaturated fat (linoleic acid, 42% of total), together accounting for 80% of the total fat content (table). The remaining oil content is primarilypalmitic acid, asaturated fat (about 9% of total, USDA table).
As with numerous seed and nut foods, sesame oil may produce anallergic reaction, although the incidence of this effect is rare, estimated at 0.1–0.2% of the population.[8] Reports of sesame allergy are growing indeveloped countries during the 21st century, with the allergic mechanism from oil exposure expressed ascontact dermatitis, possibly resulting fromhypersensitivity tolignin-like compounds.[9]
Sesame oil is used for stir-frying, marinades, and as a finishing oil to add nutty flavor to Asian dishes, with light sesame oil best for cooking and toasted sesame oil ideal for flavoring due to its intense taste.
Sesame oil made from seeds that have not been toasted is a pale yellow liquid with a pleasant grain-like odor and somewhat nutty taste, and is used as frying oil.[5] Oil made from pressed and toasted sesame seeds is amber-colored and aromatic, and is used as a flavoring agent in the final stages of cooking.[5]
Despite sesame oil's high proportion (41%) ofpolyunsaturated (omega-6) fatty acids, it is least prone, amongcooking oils with highsmoke points, to turnrancid when kept in the open.[2][5] This is due to the naturalantioxidants, such assesamol, present in the oil.[5]
Light sesame oil has a high smoke point and is suitable for deep-frying. Toasted sesame oil is not suitable,[5][1] but it can be used tostir fry meats and vegetables, forsautéing, and to make omelettes.
Sesame oil is most popular in continental Asia, especially in East Asia and the South Indian states ofKarnataka,Andhra Pradesh, andTamil Nadu, where its widespread use is similar to that ofolive oil in the Mediterranean.
InMandaeism, anointing sesame oil, calledmisha (ࡌࡉࡔࡀ) inMandaic, is used during rituals such as themasbuta (baptism) andmasiqta (death mass), both of which are performed byMandaean priests.[10]
In industry, sesame oil may be used as:[2][5]
Low-grade oil is used locally in soaps, paints, lubricants, and illuminants.[5]
Historically, sesame was cultivated more than 5000 years ago as a drought-tolerant crop which was able to grow where other crops failed.[12][13] Sesame was cultivated during theIndus Valley Civilization and was the main oil crop. It was probably exported to Mesopotamia around 2500 BCE.[14]
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