Black sesame paste (no added oil)

Have you ever stumbled upon a culinary discovery so delightful that it leaves you wondering why you hadn't discovered it sooner? This has been the black sesame paste for me. If you never tried black sesame paste until now this is your sign to do it (and yeah you can thank me later).

This black tahini or "black gold" as I like to call it 😁 is a slightly sweet paste combining the deep, nutty essence of roasted black sesame seeds with buttery, milky, and almond notes for a smooth, velvety texture. Perfect for adding a unique twist to your desserts, spreads, or sauces, this recipe captures the essence of traditional flavors with a modern touch.

Let's dive into why you can't afford to miss out on this culinary gem and how to make it from scratch.

Why You Should Try Black Sesame Paste

• A Nutritional Powerhouse: Black sesame seeds are tiny but mighty when it comes to nutritional value. They are rich in essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron, which are crucial for maintaining strong bones, healthy blood pressure, and robust immune function. Additionally, these seeds are packed with antioxidants which help combat oxidative stress and reduce inflammation in the body.
• Versatile and Delicious: Black sesame paste is incredibly versatile. Its deep, nutty flavor with subtle hints of sweetness makes it a perfect addition to both sweet and savory dishes. Spread it on toast, drizzle it over oatmeal, blend it into smoothies, or use it as a unique ingredient in baking and cooking. The possibilities are endless, and the rich taste will have you coming back for more.
• Beauty Benefits: Regular consumption of black sesame seeds has been linked to improved hair and skin health. The seeds are rich in vitamin E, which is known for its anti-aging properties and its ability to promote healthy skin. Additionally, the healthy fats and nutrients in black sesame seeds can help nourish and strengthen your hair, giving it a natural shine and reducing hair loss.

How to make perfect black sesame paste

Now that you're convinced of its benefits, let's get into the heart of the matter—making your own black sesame paste at home. This recipe is straightforward and requires only one ingredient (black sesame seeds) making it easy for anyone to try.

List of ingredients for this buttery black sesame paste recipe

• 1 Cup Black sesame seeds

Yes. That's it 😊. I like to keep things simple.

Guidelines

Roast the Sesame Seeds

• Preheat a skillet over medium heat.
• Add the black sesame seeds and roast, stirring constantly, for about 3-5 minutes until they are fragrant. Be careful not to burn them. Tip: Add a few white sesame seeds. When these start to become golden, then the black ones are roasted, too, and you can remove them from the heat.
• Remove from heat and let them cool completely.

Blend the Sesame Seeds:

• Pour the cooled sesame seeds into the blender container.
• Start blending on a low setting and gradually increase the speed to high, or use the Dips and Spreads Program if you are using the Vitamix blender.
• Blend until the seeds start to break down first into a coarse powder.
• Continue blending, stopping every 20 or 30 seconds (to scrape down the sides and allow the blade to cool) until the mixture becomes a smooth paste. This may take several minutes (or approximately four 30-second sessions).
• When ready, it should have a creamy consistency similar to nut butter.

Enjoy!

Notes for making this black sesame paste perfect:

For best results, I recommend using a powerful blender such as Vitamix. Alternatively, you can use a food processor, but it must be robust (ideally 600W or more).

Keep in mind that if you use the food processor or the big blender container, you will have to use a higher quantity of seeds than a cup, as I used for this recipe (approximately 3 Cups as a minimum).

I prefer the small Ascent extension of Vitamix because I normally like to make smaller quantities. Also, due to the cover this comes with, I use the extension's small container for storage, which is great as there are fewer dishes to wash.

Another important note is that when making black sesame paste in a blender, the oils from the seeds heat quickly, which can damage your blender and burn the paste. To avoid this, I highly recommend blending the seeds for short sessions of 20 to 30 seconds maximum, with breaks of 3-4 minutes in between to allow the blade and container to cool.

Even with these cool breaks, the time required to obtain a smooth paste (without adding any oil) is still shorter than with the food processor. Therefore, this is my preferred option when making sesame paste or any other nut butter.

Other Tips:

Use high-quality black sesame seeds for the best flavor. Ensure the sesame seeds are thoroughly cooled before blending to avoid destroying your blender or food processor. Enjoy your homemade black sesame paste as a spread, in desserts, in lattes, or as a flavorful addition to your other favorite dishes!

I do not add flavor when making it as I like to have more flexibility and options in using the black sesame paste later in various types of recipes. 

Enjoy this black gold and let me know in the comments what is your favorite way to use it. 😊

My recent obsessions are black sesame lattes and black sesame ice-cream.

Questions you might have

If you like this rich, velvety black sesame paste recipe give it a rating and review below! And, of course, tag me for the remake or other recipes you make using it on Instagram

#rico

Looking for other vegan heathy treats?

Try also this easy farro dessert with walnuts and maple syrup or this refreshing vegan raspberries, peaches and mint frozen yogurt.