The Sesame Seed

Nomenclature: Origin• Scientific classification :-• Kingdom: Plantae• Subdivisions: Angiosperms,

Eudicots, Asterids• Order: Lamiales• Family: Pedaliaceae• Genus: Sesamum• Species: S. indicum• Binomial Name: Sesamum indicum• Common Name: Sesame seed or

‘Til’

Discoverer of the Sesame Plant -George Moritz Ebers (German Egyptologist)

Sesame SeedlingsSesame Flower

Sesame Seed PodsSesame Seeds

WHERE IS IT GROWN IN INDIA?• Sesame seed provides a traditional source of oil for many

communities in India. The country produces around 680000 metric tons of sesame seed annually and stands at the second place in terms of production. The list of all the major sesame-producing states in India is shown below

Gujarat West Bengal Rajasthan Tamil Nadu Orissa Madhya Pradesh Andhra Pradesh Maharashtra Uttar Pradesh Punjab Karnataka

Sesame Seed Oil

INDIAN STATES IN WHICH IT IS GROWN

Top ten sesame producers in 2010

Country Production(million ton)

Yields(ton/hectare)

Burma 0.72 0.46

India 0.62 0.34

China 0.59 1.22

Ethiopia 0.31 0.99

Sudan 0.25 0.19

Uganda 0.17 0.61

Nigeria 0.12 0.38

Burkina Faso 0.09 0.72

Niger 0.09 0.50

Somalia 0.07 0.96

World Total 3.84 0.49

• Sesame varieties have adapted to many soil types.

• The crops thrive best on well-drained, fertile soils of medium texture and neutral pH.

• Sesame crops require 90 to 120 frost free days. Warm conditions above 23 °C (73 °F) favor growth.

• The seeds need to be harvested as dry as possible. Else it can quickly heat up and become rancid.

• The photoperiod also impacts the oil content in sesame seed; increased photoperiod increases oil content.

• Rainfall late in the season prolongs growth and increases high harvest-shattering losses.

GEOGRAPHICAL CONDITIONS REQUIRED FOR GROWTH

USES• Lowers bad cholesterol

Sesame seeds are rich in oleic acid, a potent mono-unsaturated fatty acid which lowers the ‘bad cholesterol’ or LDL cholesterol in the blood and increases the level of ‘good cholesterol’ or HDL in the body.

• Protects you from cancerSesame has very potent anti-cancer properties. It has been found to be effective against a number of cancers like lung cancer, colon cancer, leukemia, prostate cancer and pancreatic cancer

• Helps reduce anxietyRich in niacin, an essential vitamin, and sesame seeds are known to reduce anxiety.

• Keeps your heart muscles healthySesame seeds are extremely rich in essential minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium. These minerals help to regulate cardiac muscle activity making them stronger and beat at regular intervals.

How it helps YOU…..

• Makes a great massage oil for babies• Sesame oil or ’til ’oil massage showed to improve the bone strength and

their growth in babies.

• Beats osteoporosis• Due to the zinc and calcium present in sesame seeds, they are great in

preventing osteoporosis.

• Improves the efficacy of certain diabetes drugs• sesame helps to reduce blood pressure and reduces the glucose levels in the

blood when combined with the widely used anti-diabetic drug glibenclamide.

• Helps recovery after a stroke• Studies on animal models found that sesame seeds are great in restoring the

blood flow to parts of the brain that have lost circulation due to a stroke. • Helps maintain healthy bones in children

Sesame seeds are rich in dietary proteins and very good quality of amino acids that are essential for the growth of bones in children.

Home Remedies…..• Sesame seeds are highly beneficial in the treatment of

piles. They can be taken in the form of sweet - meats . • A poultice of the sesame seeds can be applied externally

with beneficial results over ulcers, burns and scalds. • Sesame seeds are rich in iron. An emulsion is prepared by

grinding them after soaking in warm water . The paste then be mixed with a cup of milk and sweetened with jaggery should be given to patients suffering from anemia.

• The seeds are valuable in respiratory disorders. An infusion of sesame seeds,mixed with a tablespoonful of linseed, a pinch of common salt and a desert spoonful of honey should be given once at night. It gives beneficial results in acute and chronic bronchitis, pneumonia and asthma.

Cooking Time!• Preparation Time: 5 mins

Cooking Time: 10 minsMakes 12 laddus

Showing ingredients for 10 laddus

Ingredients• 3/4 cup sesame seeds (til)

1/2 cup jaggery (gur)3/4 tsp ghee

1/4 cup crushed peanuts1/2 tsp ghee for greasing

How It’s Done..

• Method1. Roast the sesame seeds till they are light golden in color. Cool and keep

aside.2. Heat the ghee in a pan and add the jaggery.3. Simmer over a slow flame till it caramelises and forms a hard ball when

you add a drop in cold water.4. Add the roasted til and peanuts and mix it thoroughly with the melted

jaggery. You may need to put out the flame during this process.5. Grease your palms with a little ghee, divide the mixture into 12 equal

portions and shape the til mixture• Tips• To make peanut ladoos substitute sesame seeds with unsalted, peeled and

roasted peanuts and add ¼ teaspoon dry ginger powder at step 4.

Hope That You Enjoy this lip smacking dish