What is Tahini?

Tahini is a paste made from toasted, hulled and grounds sesame seeds, mixed with a neutral-flavoured oil to create a creamier texture. Tahini is prevalent in the cuisines of
the Levant and Eastern Mediterranean and parts of North Africa. It can be mixed with other ingredients like garlic and olive oil to make savoury sauces or even added to sweet dishes to balance flavour and add nutrients. These days, tahini can be found in most supermarkets.

What does it taste like?

Tahini is nutty, savoury and slightly bitter, with an oily consistency similar to that of peanut butter.

How can I use tahini?

If you’re interested in making your own hummus, keeping a jar of tahini in the press is key. Outside of that, there are still plenty of options. Tahini can be used much like peanut butter. Swirl it into cake or brownie batter, or bake it into cookies; use it as a base for salad dressings or dips, or mix with lemon juice and olive oil to make a tasty drizzle for falafels; combine with Greek yogurt, garlic, parsley, coriander and lemon juice to make tahini sauce, a flavoursome addition to Middle Eastern-style kebabs and gyros; use as a dip for apple slices or carrots; stir some into stir-fry sauces; or simply enjoy it spread over toast, perhaps with a touch of honey.