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Buyer's guide

Buy black sesame seeds from supermarkets’ speciality sections, or Japanese and Chinese grocers.

Storage

Store away from direct sunlight or moisture, which will cause the seeds to form lumps. Dry-roasting black sesame seeds will help to improve their shelf life.

Preparation

Black sesame seeds are used in Japanese and Chinese cookery to flavour salads, tofu, dressings, dipping sauces, cakes, biscuits, confectionery, desserts, ice creams and drinks. The Japanese dry-roast them lightly before use, then combine them with salt and use the mixture as a popular table condiment called goma-shio (‘sesame salt’), which is sprinkled over rice.