Open Sesame!

Sesame seeds seem to be the most worthless garnish for wheat products. Do they really serve a purpose?

The most worthless?! Kind of harsh for a garnish that brings a touch of something special to breads, buns, and bagels everywhere!

But really, I had no idea that sesame seeds were so rich in nutrients and calcium. Definately good to know. Thanks.

Folks who are caused to ware dentures, "Absolutely Despise" the preparers of food that contains these chunks of inedible stone that you folks call Sesame Seeds. If you absolutely must have this stuff, then try grinding in to a flour, before adding it to your bread.

Unless and until I grow a crop, and stuff it with grit, please keep those seeds to your self and off of my sandwitch, thank you!

TMF

Ahh yes, good point. I don't remember being a fan of any type of seed - poppy or sesame - when I had braces. While not the same thing as dentures, having a seed stuck in braces can be quite distressing. I had long forgotten those days...

"The phrase "open sesame" is derived from the fact that when sesame pods are ripe, they burst open at the lightest touch."

How come?!

Seems like you've never read 1001 nights.

I think he meant that in the 1001 nights, the thieves used this password for their cave because of the way a sesame pod opens up when the seeds are ripe. It makes sense if one considers it as a metaphor - using the common image of ripe sesame pods to illustrate how easy one can get into a hidden cave.

Plus since the stories in 1001 nights could be common Arabic "fairy tales" (which I don't know for sure), the phrase might have derived from a simple person's experience with sesame, used in everyday life, and then integrated into this story.

It's good though that someone remembered the tale!

P.S.: Other than bons and rolls, sesame seeds are also really good on shanghai chicken... yum! (or shanghai soy sticks, for the veggie ones)

Popeye says "Open says me."

Yep.....the best tasting Halvah is made from sesame. The little buggers are also high in strontium which is far better than calcium to prevent osteo.

And bagels made from sesame flour are the best!

Can you digest sesame as seeds? I thought the seed coat was too tough for that and that they passed through predominantly undigested..

They are rich in omega 6 unsaturated fatty acids.

I use them, ground up with linseeds, on my porridge in the morning. The linseeds are rich in omega 3 acids.

Glad to know they are actually good for you! I love them on bagels and chicken teriyaki, but always thought they were a tasty but fatty garnish.

To anyone familiar with Mid-Eastern foods there is an alternative to those hard seeds for those with dentures. Tahini is sesame butter, made from ground sesame seeds and similar to all-natural peanut butter except it tastes like sesame. A delicious dip is made from pureed chickpeas [garbanzo beans], tahini, garlic, lemon and olive oil. It is called Hummous Tahini and can be found in stores, but it is much better when homemade using the recipe and methods of my wife's Lebanese ancestors. Nothing better than dipping hot pita bread, fried eggplant, squash or cauliflower in it. Also good spooned on Kibbee Patata and many other foods.

A tiny bit of sesame oil can add a lot of flavor to salad dressings and fried foods too. Use carefully because the flavor can be strong.