Sesame oil

Sesame Oil

Sesame oil is an edible vegetable oil derived from sesame seeds. Besides being used as a cooking oil, it is often used as a flavor enhancer in many cuisines, having a distinctive nutty aroma and taste. 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.

History

Sesame oil is thought to have originated in the Indus Valley Civilization of ancient India, and spread from there throughout Asia. Sesame has been listed as one of the best oils for human consumption due to its high levels of antioxidants and nutritional value.

Production

Sesame oil is produced by pressing the sesame seeds. It can be refined or unrefined, and is often used in cooking for its rich, nutty flavor. Unrefined sesame oil is used in dishes in Middle Eastern and South Asian cuisines, while the refined oil is often used for deep frying in East Asian cuisines.

Health Benefits

Sesame oil has numerous health benefits, including the ability to improve skin and hair health, help in bone growth, reduce blood pressure, maintain good heart health, manage anxiety and depression, protect infant health, cure dental issues, prevent cancer, improve digestion, and lower inflammation.

Culinary Uses

In developed countries, sesame oil is often extracted using an expeller press, larger-scale oil extraction machines, or by pressing followed by chemical solvent extraction. Sesame oil can also be extracted under low-temperature conditions using an expeller press in a process called cold pressing.

See Also

• Sesame seed
• Vegetable oil
• Cooking oil
• Edible oil