SESAME SEEDS

Sesame, (Sesamum indicum), also called benne, erect annual plant of the family Pedaliaceae, grown since antiquity for its seeds, which are used as food and flavoring. sesame plant is found in most of the tropical, subtropical, and southern temperate areas of the world.

Description

Sesame seeds are about 3 to 4 millimeters long by 2 millimeters wide and 1 millimeter thick. The seeds are ovate, slightly flattened, and somewhat thinner at the eye of the seed (hilum) than at the opposite end. The weight of the seeds is between 20 and 40 milligrams. The seed coat (testa) may be smooth or ribbed. Sesame seeds come in many colors depending on the cultivar harvested. The most traded variety of sesame is off-white colored. Other common colors are buff, tan, gold, brown, reddish, gray, and black.