Natural tahini is a pure and additive-free product obtained by roasting and grinding sesame seeds. However, there are also tahinis that contain additives or are of poor quality on the market. For this reason, the question of how to recognize natural tahini is one of the most frequently asked questions. We have compiled for you the tips you should pay attention to in order to understand whether tahini is natural or not.
1. Color and Consistency
- Color: Natural tahini is light yellow or slightly dark brown. A very bright or whitish color may indicate that it contains additives.
- Consistency: Tahini without additives has a fluid but slightly thick consistency. Tahini with additives is usually more liquid.
2. Smell
- Fresh Sesame Smell: Natural tahini has the smell of fresh and roasted sesame. If you smell a heavy or artificial smell, it may be additives.
3. Taste
- Flavor: Pure tahini has a slightly bitter and intense sesame flavor. Too sweet, salty, or neutral flavors may indicate the presence of an additive.
4. Oil Coming to the Surface
- Natural Oil Separation: When natural tahini is left to sit, its oil rises to the surface. This is normal in pure tahini and returns to its original consistency when mixed.
- Unmixable Structure: If the oil does not rise to the surface or is too hard to mix, it may contain additives.
5. Table of Contents
- Only Sesame: Real tahini should only say “sesame” in its ingredients. If sugar, salt, oil or preservatives have been added, it is not a natural tahini.
6. Packaging and Production Site
- Production Details: The production location and producer information should be clearly written on the tahini packaging. Reliable brands usually provide this information completely.
- Glass Jar: Tahini should generally be sold in glass jars. Plastic packaging can affect the quality of the product.
7. Price and Brand
- Price: Natural tahini is generally more expensive than cheaper tahini because it is produced from pure sesame seeds and does not contain any additives.
- Brand Reliability: Buying from local producers or well-known brands increases your chances of obtaining natural tahini.
8. Home Testing Methods
Oil Separation Test:
- Let the tahini sit for a while; if natural oils rise to the surface, this increases the possibility of it being natural.
Taste Test:
- Try a small amount of tahini plain. If you feel a pure and intense sesame flavor, it is likely natural.
Freeze Test:
- When you keep tahini in the fridge, its consistency thickens but it does not harden completely. Tahini with additives can often turn into a hard form.
9. Shelf Life
- Short Shelf Life: Natural tahini does not last long because it does not contain additives. The shelf life should be between 6-12 months. If a very long shelf life is stated, preservatives may have been added.
10. Trusted Buying Places
- Direct from the Producer: It is generally safer to buy tahini from local producers.
- Organic Product Markets: Another way to access additive-free and natural tahini is to choose organic product stores.
How to Consume Natural Tahini?
tahini as a sweet alternative by spreading it on bread for breakfast or mixing it with honey or molasses . You can also add it to salads as a dressing or use it as a nutritious addition to smoothies . The rich taste of tahini makes it an ideal option to add flavor to many dishes.
How to Make Natural Tahini?
Natural tahini is produced using only sesame seeds, without any additives. Here is the tahini production process:
- Cleaning Sesame: Sesame used in tahini production is first cleaned of dust and foreign substances.
- Separation of Shells: The cleaned sesame seeds are separated from their shells in special machines. This stage ensures that the tahini is smooth.
- Washing and Drying: The sesame seeds, after their shells are separated, are washed thoroughly with water and then dried.
- Roasting: Dried sesame seeds are roasted at low temperatures in special roasting machines. This process intensifies the aroma of the sesame seeds and reveals the unique taste of tahini.
- Grinding: Roasted sesame seeds are finely ground in stone mills or modern machines to turn into tahini. During this process, the natural oil of the sesame is released and tahini takes on its consistency.
- Packaging: Ground tahini is made ready for consumption by filling it directly into glass jars without adding any additives.
In the production of natural tahini, the processes are carried out at low temperatures and with care to preserve the natural properties of sesame. Therefore, the correct production process is one of the most important factors that determine the quality of tahini.
The most important ways to understand natural tahini are its color, consistency, taste and oil separation. It is also necessary to pay attention to the ingredient list and production details. Tahini purchased from reliable brands or local producers increases the probability of being natural. Do not hesitate to analyze tahini to consume a healthy product!
