The plant, the seeds of which are widely used in cooking, is called in Latin. Sesamum indicum. This is one of the oldest oil crops, which has the second common name “sesame”. Its homeland is South Africa, from where it spread to the countries of Asia, the East and India, where it is used to prepare the famous tahini halva and sesame oil. Sesame is widely used to decorate unsweetened baked goods – rolls with filling, bread, loaves. And with the spread of Japanese cuisine, the product became an invariable component in the manufacture of rolls. If you like to cook, you should know how to store sesame properly.
- This product can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three months.
- Freezing will extend the shelf life to one year.
How to choose
When choosing sesame seeds, you need to pay attention to the color and aroma. They should be light and crumbly, without a musty smell. Sesame seeds are also sold unpeeled, the shelf life in this case is much longer. When choosing, pay attention to packaged sesame, it will last longer than the one you take by weight (it is not known whether the storage conditions were observed in the warehouse and in the store).
Storage rules
According to the State Standard, the storage of sesame seeds in the proper form is ensured by compliance with the following conditions:
- dry and well-ventilated place;
- lack of direct sunlight;
- the storage temperature is close to zero and below.
Raw sesame seeds
Sesame seeds in factory packaging should be stored in the refrigerator on a shelf no longer than the expiration date specified by the manufacturer.
Raw sesame seeds should be poured into an airtight container or tightly closed paper bags. Places where seed storage conditions are better observed:
- refrigerator shelf near the wall;
- cold dry cellar;
- unheated balcony;
- cold dry storeroom.
Cleaned sesame
You can preserve the taste and useful qualities of the purified product by storing it in a dry, cool place, in an airtight container.
In addition, an excellent way to store peeled sesame seeds for a long time is freezing. This will save it from the bitterness that appears over time.
How much sesame is stored depends on where the seeds are stored:
- up to 3 months – in a sealed container at a temperature not higher than 5 °C;
- up to 1 year – in a freezer at a temperature of -18 °C and below.
Storage of sesame in ground form is allowed only in a freezer at a temperature of -18 °C and below. Ground, it can be stored in the freezer, in an airtight bag, for up to 12 months.
If the freezing was carried out correctly, the raw materials should not stick together. To defrost, pour the necessary amount of seeds or powder into a dry container and put it in the refrigerator for 6-8 hours, and then use it as intended.
Black sesame
Black sesame is a separate variety. It has the same rich taste, but is used exclusively in cooking as a decoration for pastries, rolls, salads, etc.
The terms and conditions, how and where to properly store black sesame seeds, are:
- up to 3 months in the refrigerator, in a refrigerator or on the balcony in a sealed container at a temperature of up to 5 °C;
- up to 1 year in a freezer at a temperature below -18 °C.
We really hope that our useful tips will be useful to you.