Tahini FAQ’s
05 Aug 2017 | kayla Hoffman
Tahini is one of the most healthy and energizing foods out there! It is an essential ingredient in many foods, and incredibly versatile. Recently, Tahini has become a very popular item, and Pepperwood Organics is proud to provide wholesome, pure, organic and delicious Tahini.
Here are some commonly asked questions about Tahini.
If you have any other questions, please reach out and contact us!
What is Tahini?
Tahini is a paste made of 100% ground sesame seeds. Tahini in its raw form is a highly versatile food. If you’ve ever looked at the label on the back of your favorite Hummus dip, you’d notice that one of the main ingredients is Tahini. That’s what gives Hummus its rich flavor & smooth texture, and we have good news for you - it’s incredibly healthy!
Besides for Hummus, Tahini can be easily made into dips such as Baba Ghanoush, and even eaten as a dip all on its own. Additionally, it’s commonly used as a dressing or the base for all kinds of cookies and baked goods - even gluten-free bread. Or, it can be spread on anything crunchy and enjoyed as-is. Tahini is also the basis for the traditional Middle Eastern dessert, Halva.
Tahini Nicknames: Tahini Paste, Tahini Butter, Sesame Butter, Tahina
See more about what Tahini is here.
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What is Tahini made of?
Sesame Tahini is made from 100% sesame seeds. Simple? It might sound so. But to achieve the right consistency, to preserve all of the nutrients that lay in the sesame seed, to process it without salt, to roast it with the lowest possible temperature...to get all of this exactly right, to achieve the perfect Sesame Butter - well, we could talk about it all day!
Here are the basic things to pay attention to when buying Tahini.
What is the origin of the sesame seeds?
Pepperwood's Organic Sesame Tahini is made solely from a unique and exceptional breed of sesame seeds which is cultivated in the fertile soils of Humera, Ethiopia, where the climate is ideal for the growth of this potent seed.
'Golden-White-Humera' Sesame seeds have a sweet and rich nutty flavor. It is the perfect Sesame for making tahini thanks to its high nutrients and fatty acids which give the Tahini a smooth, creamy texture, as opposed to thicker, pastier texture produced by other seeds.
Read more about where we get our seeds from here.
Are there any preservatives or additives in Pepperwood Organics’ Tahini Butter?
No, there are no additives in our Organic Tahini Butter. Check out our ingredients label - the only thing listed is 100% Organic Sesame Seeds. Thanks to the quality of the Sesame Seeds we use, and our grinding process, our Tahini Butter is rich, full, and creamy, and does not need any extra ingredients! Read more about the high-quality seeds we use, and our process, here.
Does Pepperwood Organics Tahini Butter contain any allergens?
Tahini is known to be safe for most people with nut allergies, as sesame seeds do not contain the same allergens as, for example, tree nuts. At Pepperwood Organics, nothing besides Sesame seeds enter our Tahini factory. This means our Tahini is free from the top 8 most common food allergens; Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Milk, Eggs, Wheat, Fish, Shellfish, and Soy, as well as being Gluten & GMO-Free.
Our factory stands in the most strict and sterilized certifications - FDA, GMP & ISO 22000 (FSSC).
How much of Pepperwood Organics Tahini Butter do I need to eat in order to help lower my cholesterol?
Well, of course, one should always consult with their physician for questions about personal health. But studies find that even eating 1 tablespoon of Pepperwood Organics Tahini can make a positive change in your overall health and wellbeing!
Are your products Kosher?
Yes, our products are OU Kosher certified.
Why is there oil on top of the bottle?
The oil on the top of Pepperwood Organics Tahini Butter is created by a separation of the healthy sesame oil that is naturally lighter than the ground sesame seeds. This separation is totally natural and occurs because Pepperwood Organics does not add any outside preservatives or binders to our product. Instead, the sesame oil that separates acts as a preservative and should not be taken out, but mixed into the butter.
Learn more about our ingredients and how we create our product here.
Is the oil on top of the bottle bad for me?
No. Our only ingredient is 100% Organic Whole Sesame Seeds. These seeds are full of natural and nutritious oils which contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These fatty acids are important for our body, and essential to have in our diet, as our body cannot produce them on its own.
What is the shelf-life of Pepperwood Organic’s Tahini Butter?
Pepperwood Organics Tahini butter has a shelf life of 2 years, from the time it was manufactured. Even after opening, the same 2-year shelf life applies.
Does Pepperwood Organics Tahini Butter need to be refrigerated?
No, Pepperwood Organic’s Tahini Butter does not need to be refrigerated. Tahini Butter is similar to your favorite nut butter - it does better out of the fridge. The worst thing for Tahini and Nut Butter (like peanut, or almond) is water. By refrigerating the Butter, water is more likely to get inside the container, due to condensation from the cold. Additionally, the butter will taste differently if refrigerated, and we believe our Tahini Butter is perfect as is - creamy, smooth, and rich. See how to store it properly here.
Note: The only form of Tahini that should be refrigerated is Tahini Dip/Sauce since that has water and other ingredients added to the Butter.
How should I store my Pepperwood Organics Tahini Butter?
You should store your Pepperwood Organics Tahini Butter in a cool, dry place, in an upright position. If stored properly, the Tahini Butter will keep up to 2 years from the time it was manufactured, even after opening, this product will maintain a 2-Year shelf-life.
In order to keep the tahini away from bacteria, it is important to keep and stir the sesame oil that might naturally separate at the top of the bottle. This oil acts as a preservative and should not be taken out. Rather, it should be mixed, this oil acts as a natural preservative of the tahini.
What is Tahini Sauce?
Tahini Sauce is one of the most common recipes made with Tahini Butter. It is also referred to as Tahini Dip, and it is often used as a salad dressing, or enjoyed simply with crackers or a slice of bread.
Tahini Sauce is made by mixing Tahini Butter with water, lemon, garlic, and parsley. You can find our recipe for the best Tahini Sauce we’ve tried here, also conveniently located on the bottle of Pepperwood Organics Tahini Butter.
Note: Tahini Sauce requires refrigeration and is good for about 2-3 days.
Can I buy Tahini Sauce?
You can. Since the dip needs to be kept cold, look out for it in the refrigerated section at grocery stores, next to the Hummus dips. It is most commonly sold at Kosher supermarkets.
However, Tahini Sauce has a short shelf life. Because the sauce is made with water, and therefore is more prone to bacteria, it usually contains preservatives and does not taste as good as homemade Tahini Sauce. (Pepperwood Organics Tahini Butter/Paste, in contrast, has a shelf life of about two years.)
A fresh tahini dip/sauce is very easy to make, and can be done in as little as 60 seconds! Here’s the best tahini dip recipe we’ve tried, also conveniently located on the side of our Pepperwood Organics Tahini Butter bottles.
Where can I buy Pepperwood Organic Tahini Butter?
Sesame Tahini Butter can be purchased in many retail stores as well as online. Pepperwood's Organic products are available on Amazon, eBay, Jet, and our own website.
What can I do with Pepperwood Organic’s Tahini Butter?
The reason Tahini is known as a multipurpose ingredient is due to its unique emulsifying characteristics, rich flavor, smooth texture and excellent nutritional benefits. It is one of the main ingredients in Hummus, Baba Ghanoush, Halva, and many baked goods. It can be eaten on its own, whipped into a dip, added to a smoothie, or drizzled over just about anything.
So what else can be done with this incredible Organic Tahini Butter? People have written books about it, and the possibilities are endless! However, we’ve done some research for you and collected what we think are the best recipes.
Here’s a link to get inspired. Bon Appetit!
What’s the difference between hulled and unhulled Tahini Butter?
The majority of the Tahini on the market has been made from ''hulled'' sesame seeds. This means that the shell is separated from the kernels, resulting in a smoother finished product (just like white vs. whole grains). Commercial hulling of the sesame seed removes many of its inherent benefits since a majority of the nutrients are found in the shell.
Pepperwood's Unhulled Sesame Butter is unique and unrivaled. Our meticulous stone ground process produces a uniquely finished product that tastes amazing while retaining all the goodness this super seed has to offer.
Our unhulled Sesame Butter contains 5X more Calcium and 2X more Iron than regular hulled Tahini, making it one of the world's most nutritious superfoods.
What is the difference between Pepperwood Organics Tahini Butter and other brands?
We believe that there are 3 main differences between our Organic Tahini Butter and other companies.
1. The source of our Sesame Seeds. Read about where we cultivate our Organic Sesame Seeds from here
2. The process in which the Tahini Butter is made. Most companies use machinery, while Pepperwood Organics is proud to use Stone Ground. Read about our grinding process, and why Stone Ground is better here.
3. Most companies add salt to their Tahini Butter, whereas at Pepperwood Organics, there is no added salt to our Organic Tahini Butter, keeping the taste pure, and the Butter healthier.
“Tahini” vs. “Tahina”??
In the United States and most English-speaking countries, you will hear this delicious Butter referred to as “Tahini”. This is actually a mispronunciation of the word “T’hina”, or “T’china”, which is how it is pronounced in Israel and many other countries in the Middle East. So if you find yourself visiting a country in that part of the world, where Tahini is commonly eaten, you can ask for “T’china/T’hina”. But don’t worry - it’s delicious no matter how you pronounce it!
What started the “Fad”?
Well, although the Tahini “fad” is relatively new, Tahini itself has been around for ages! The earliest mention of Sesame is from 4,000 years ago, where we see it being used in the custom of serving the god's sesame wine. While the practice of using sesame seeds for wine seems not to have made it to today, we also see writings of it being used as oil 3,500 years ago. The historian Herodotus writes about its use in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Ancient Iraq. And then, in the 13th century, we see Tahini mentioned as an ingredient of Hummus.
Today, Tahini is used in many different cuisines, not just Middle Eastern. It’s an ingredient in some Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and even Indian dishes, as well as an in modern-day baked goods and smoothies. The use of sesame seeds dates way back, and today we know that it’s not only delicious but also incredibly healthy!
Why is Pepperwood Organics Tahini Butter thinner than other brands?
Pepperwood's Tahini has a more creamy texture compared to other brands. This is due to three factors:
1. The Sesame Breed:
At Pepperwood, we use only 'Golden-White Humera' Sesame seeds, which are cultivated solely in the fertile soils of Ethiopia. These are known to be the highest quality sesame seeds in the world, containing a greater amount of fatty acids and providing a smoother texture and sweeter flavor. A thick texture in Tahini can indicate the usage of other Sesame breeds (from Mexico, China, etc.).
2. Salt in the process:
The predominant method used in the cleansing process is to soak the sesame seeds in salt water, which speeds up production - but at the same time dehydrates the seed. This method produces a finished product which has a thicker texture and a salty taste.
At Pepperwood, we cleanse the sesame seeds without using any salt in the process, giving our Sesame butter a sweet, nutty flavor and a smooth, creamy texture.
Note: a higher level of sodium on the nutrition facts can indicate the usage of salt in the process.
3. The Grinding Process
Many companies use metal machines for the grinding process, which harms the texture and nutritional benefits of this potent seed. At Pepperwood, only the good old stone grinding technique is used, which naturally preserves the sesame’s exceptional nutritional benefits, rich flavor and smooth texture.
Why is it ideal to have a smooth textured Tahini?
1. Using it in any recipe will result in a better taste, and you’ll feel much better!
2. It’ll be easier to use in cooking.
3. It can be easily drizzled on a salad or spread on toast or crackers - a common way to serve Tahini.