History

• Sesame oil dates back to 600 B.C. when it was a commodity in Assyria as a luxury cooking oil. The Assyrians also used the oil for medicinal purposes and for salve, and because of its high price, it was seen as a status symbol. Because of this, Assyrian legends told that when the Earth was formed, the oil of the sesame served as the wine of the gods. Evidence of sesame oil use is also found in ancient India, where it was considered sacred and utilized in Hindu rituals. Sesame seeds and oil did not arrive in the United States until the late seventeenth century. In the modern day, sesame oil is produced in India, China and Mexico.

Characteristics

• Sesame oil is produced by pressing ripe sesame seeds. Much of the work to extract the oil cannot be done mechanically, meaning that workers must be employed for the process. The oil ranges in color from pale gold to a deep amber brown. The darker varieties are obtained from seeds that have been toasted before they are pressed. The lighter varieties have very little flavor while the darker varieties have a strong nutty taste.