Sesame (another name is "sesame") is a popular seasoning that is added to various bakery products. It is actively used as an additive to vegetable salads. Sesame seeds are used to make butter that has healing properties. They also make halva.
How does he look in nature
We all know the beneficial properties of sesame seeds. They not only give a certain piquant taste to products, but also have a very large set of trace elements, vitamins and nutrients that are indispensable for the human body. In the bakery industry, one of the most popular additives is sesame. How does it grow in nature?
This is an annual plant, which under favorable conditions reaches 0.60-1.5 meters in height. It has a powerful core root. The stem is green or reddish, very branched, starting from the ground.
Flowers and fruits
The leaves of this plant can be smooth or slightly corrugated, up to 10-30 centimeters in length - this is how traditional sesame seeds look. How does the fetus grow and form? In the beginning, large flowers with five stamens appear, but only four are developed normally. Sometimes a failure occurs in nature, and as many as ten stamens appear on the flower.
After a certain period, the fetus appears. This is an oblong pointed box, which has a size of only 3-5 centimeters - this is how the fruit of the sesame plant looks. How it grows - whether there were favorable conditions, whether the plant received enough moisture, and so on - so high-quality seeds are obtained.
Type of seeds and their beneficial properties
After ripening the box, sesame seeds are extracted from it. They are small, about 3 millimeters long, have a flat ovoid shape. Usually they are yellowish, white, but black and brown are also common.
Sesame: how it grows and where it occurs
It is worth noting that this culture has long been domesticated, it is grown for industrial purposes. In the wild, sesame can only be found in Africa. On the territory of Russia, it is grown mainly in the Transcaucasus, in Central Asia and in the North Caucasus. Large plantations of this plant can be seen in Korea and China, India, in tropical Africa.
Of course, it is interesting to see how sesame grows. Photos of this plant clearly show powerful vast plantations of this culture, which requires a lot of sun and heat. That is why this plant grows mainly in the southern latitudes. Although some summer residents have learned to cultivate this culture in the middle lane. Surely they studied how and where sesame grows, what conditions are needed for the normal ripening of seeds. And now many lovers of digging in the beds grow this exotic plant in completely unusual conditions.
How to collect seeds
We all remember the oriental tale about Ali Baba, where he said to the cave: "Sesame, open." Remember that sesame is sometimes called sesame. And such a fabulous password is associated with the fact that sesame pods are very fragile. The slightest wind or touch - and they burst immediately, and valuable seeds are on the ground.
This feature is taken into account when harvesting, when it comes time to collect sesame seeds. How it grows and ripens - this is closely monitored by field farmers, therefore it is important not to miss the harvest. The fruits are not allowed to ripen completely, the pods are torn off slightly unripe. Otherwise, all seeds will be scattered.
Historical facts
Interestingly, the mention of this culture is found in ancient times. For example, in Egyptian papyruses, as well as in Assyrian myths. The latter tells that before the creation of the world, the gods decided to drink wine from sesame.
In ancient China, 7 thousand years ago, sesame oil was used for lamps. The seeds were overcooked and made them soot for ink.
According to historians, sesame came to America through African slaves, who were massively brought to the mainland. This plant quickly gained popularity in the new continent.
But the inhabitants of Babylon made sesame wine and brandy, baked sesame pies. They actively used the oil obtained from the plant in the kitchen, as well as toiletries for body hygiene.
The ancient Egyptians used sesame as a medicine.
Useful material
No wonder ancient people considered sesame to be a plant that gives immortality to man. After all, in seeds that contain up to 60 percent of oil, there are a lot of useful substances, trace elements and vitamins.
Here is the incomplete chemical composition of sesame oil. It contains glycerides of the following acids:
- stearic (4-6%);
- oleic (35-48%);
- peanut (up to 1.0%);
- lignoceric;
- linoleic (37-48%);
- palmitic (7-8%).
It is worth noting that these unsaturated fatty acids are perfectly absorbed by the body.
Also in the composition of sesame seeds are present:
- sesamine (chloroform);
- sesamoline;
- phytosterol;
- Vitamin E
- sesamol;
- airplane
But sesame is not familiar with other vegetable oils of vitamin A.
Indispensable in the kitchen
Here is such a useful product - sesame. Its use in cooking is quite common in all countries. We all know fragrant buns with sesame seeds, pastries, bread, crackers. For many nations, it is customary to add toasted seeds to salads and vegetable dishes. Sesame seeds can be sprinkled with fried fish or pork chop. Seeds perfectly decorate any hot dish and give it a piquant taste.
White sesame seeds are used for desserts. Sesame halva is very popular , which has a delicate taste and a completely charming milky shade.
In Korea, sesame leaves are also used for food - they are fried and seasoned with sauce. Vegetables and rice are also wrapped in leaves, pickled and stewed.
Medical properties
In medicine, sesame oil has been used for a long time both inside and outside. It improves an indicator such as blood coagulation. Applying the oil inside, you can achieve an increase in platelets in the blood. Just do not get involved and you should be careful.
Actively sesame oil is used as the basis for creams, various ointments and plasters. Sesame seeds have a mild laxative effect.
It is good for a cold to rub the chest area with oil, heated in a water bath to 36-38 degrees. It perfectly treats sesame oil ulcers and gastritis.
For these diseases, it is recommended to take one tablespoon of sesame oil 1-3 times a day inside. It perfectly relieves you of constipation - one tablespoon in the morning, and there will be no problems with the intestines.
High calorie oil is indispensable for recovery.
If skin irritation occurs, lubricate this area with ointment, which includes sesame oil. It works great for dermatitis, skin lesions. You can apply a bandage that is saturated with oil, or just lubricate the skin.
If you catch a runny nose, you can drip a drop of oil into the nasal passages, but pre-heat it in a water bath.
Sesame seeds can be used to cleanse the body. Pound 15 g of seeds into powder, mix with water. This mixture should be consumed 3 times a day before meals.
Some useful tips
In order for the aroma of sesame seeds to appear, it is necessary to fry them. This should be done in a dry hot frying pan until the seeds begin to “bounce” slightly.
Do not put a lot of sesame oil in the dishes. Even a small amount will give a delicate nutty taste.
Do not buy a lot of seeds for future use - because of their fat content, they may slightly start to bitter over time. To prevent this, store them in an airtight container and always in a dark place.