Sesame Flour

What is Sesame Flour?

Sesame flour, also known as sesame meal, is a nutritious and flavor-filled ingredient that can be used as a healthful substitute for traditional wheat flour. It has a high protein content and is gluten-free.

Sesame flour is made from sesame seeds, the tiny oval-shaped seeds that are often sprinkled over top of baked goods and dishes. They are widely available in supermarkets, health food stores and ethnic groceries.

When the sesame seeds are ground into a fine powder, they become sesame meal or sesame flour. This flour is rich in fiber, minerals, essential fatty acids and vitamins. Its nutritional benefits make it ideal for those looking to add nutrition to their diets without sacrificing flavor.

The Journey of Sesame Flour: From the Field to the Dinner Plate

Every food product has a journey, starting with the farmer and ending on our plate. To understand how sesame flour is created and travels to our dinner plate, it's important to understand all the steps involved in the process.

1. Planting and Growing of Sesame Seeds

The process of creating sesame flour starts on the sesame seed farm, where the plants are planted and grown. Depending on the climate and soil type, sesame seeds can be planted throughout the spring and summer months.

Sesame plants are annuals, meaning that they only bloom and produce one flowering season every year. Once the flowers bloom, pollen from the flowers is then transferred from one plant to another, resulting in the fertilisation of the female flowers.

The fertilised flowers then develop into small, oblong fruits known as pods. Inside these pods are the sesame seeds that will eventually be harvested, dried, and ground into sesame flour.

2. Harvesting the Sesame Seeds

Sesame farmers harvest the sesame seeds when the pods have dried, usually in August or September. The seeds are usually separated from the chaff (the dried husks on the seeds) by hand knocking or beating with a stick, which is known as threshing.

After the seeds are separated from the chaff, they are collected in a sack or basket. Once collected, the sesame seeds will then be transported to the processing plant. There, the sesame seeds will be inspected for quality, packaged and sold.

3. Drying and Selecting

Next, the sesame seeds are dried and inspected for moisture content. They are then inspected for colour, texture and size to ensure that they meet specific requirements before they can be processed.

At this stage, any seeds that do not meet the flours' quality requirements are discarded.

4. Grinding and Screening

Once the sesame seeds have been inspected and selected, they are placed into a mill and ground into a fine powder. This is called sesame meal or sesame flour.

The flour is then screened and passed through fine sieves to remove any large particles or impurities that may be present. This process is necessary because it ensures that only the finest grade of sesame flour is produced.

The processed sesame flour is then either packaged for immediate use, or stored for later use.

5. Packaging and Transportation

Once the sesame flour is packaged, it is then ready to be transported to its final destination. Depending on where it is being shipped, sesame flour can be transported by boat, train, truck, or plane.

Before being shipped, the sesame flour must be thoroughly inspected and tested to ensure that it is safe for human consumption. If the product does not meet the required safety standards, it will not be able to be shipped.

6. Retail

Once the sesame flour arrives at its final destination, it can now be sold to retailers or sent to food manufacturers. Sesame flour can be found in many grocery stores, health food stores, and other retail outlets around the world.

7. Culinary Preparation

Once the sesame flour has been purchased, it is now ready to be prepared and incorporated into an array of delicious dishes.

Sesame flour is a versatile ingredient and can be used to thicken sauces, batters, and soups; as a breading for meats and vegetables; or sprinkled over salads and other dishes for a flavorful crunch.

Because of its nutty flavor, sesame flour can also be used as a healthy alternative to traditional wheat flour. It can be used in baking, and even as a substitute for breadcrumbs in recipes, offering both texture and flavor without the addition of extra fat or calories.

Conclusion

Sesame flour is an incredibly versatile and nutrient-rich ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes and recipes. From the field to the dinner plate, sesame flour has a lengthy journey that is necessary for it to reach its final destination.

By understanding all the steps involved in the journey of the sesame flour, we can better appreciate this nutritious and delicious ingredient and all the amazing dishes it can be used in.