What is Black Sesame Paste?
Black sesame paste starts with ground black sesame seeds. The ground seed base is then mixed with other ingredients to make a variety of sauces. The sweetened version is mixed with honey while the savory version is mixed with sesame oil. Sesame seeds are actually also used to make tahini sauce. The difference between the two is black sesame paste uses the whole sesame seed, unhulled, while tahini is made using the white inner seed. Because of this hull, black sesame has a more nutty flavor than tahini.
Black sesame is a basic ingredient in Japanese, Chinese or Asian cuisine. The sweetened version of black sesame paste is commonly used in desserts, pastries or baked goods. You can also add black sesame paste to your oatmeal, milk, smoothies, ice cream, etc. The savory version is used in noodles, soup, etc.
Substitution
Roasted black sesame seeds: If you can’t find the roasted or toasted version, you can buy the regular black sesame seeds and toast them in a pan for about 3 – 5 minutes or until fragrant.
Tips
- You can use less honey for a thinner paste.
Black Sesame Paste
Cuisine: AsianDifficulty: Easy1
cup5
minutes5
minutes1375
kcalEasy black sesame paste made with 2 ingredients. The paste can be used in a savory or sweet Asian dishes.
Ingredients
- Sweetened Black Sesame Paste
1 cup of toasted black sesame seeds
1/2 cup of honey
- Savory Black Sesame Paste
1 cup of toasted black sesame paste
2 – 3 tbsp of sesame oil
Directions
- Toast sesame seeds
- If you are not able to find toasted/roasted black sesame seeds, you can toast the black sesame seeds in a pan on a low-medium heat for 3 – 5 minutes or until fragrant. Remove from the heat and let the toasted seeds cool down to room temperature.
- Sweetened black sesame paste
- Once the sesame seeds have cooled completely, transfer them to a food processor and blend until a paste forms or until the oil has released from the seeds. You may need to stop and scrape the sesame seeds from the sides as needed.
- When the sesame seeds are finely ground or have turned into a paste, you can add honey and blend until combined. You can do this either by hand or with a food processor.
- Savory black sesame paste
- Once the sesame seeds are cool completely, transfer it to a food processor and blend it until it become a paste or until the oil has released from the seeds. You may need to stop and scrape the sesame seeds from the sides as needed.
- When the sesame seeds are finely ground or turn into a paste, you can add sesame oil and blend until combined. You can do this either by hand or with a food processor.
- Storing
- Store the sweeten or savory paste in an airtight jar and place it in the refrigerator. It should be good for up to 6 months.
