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Inside The Post -
What Are White Sesame Seeds?/White Sesame Seeds Uses/Til Uses/Ellu Uses/Vellai Ellu Uses
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- ABOUT – SESAME PLANT
- ORIGIN OF SESAME PLANT
- ABOUT – “SESAME SEEDS”
- ABOUT – “WHITE SESAME SEEDS”
- APPEARANCE OF WHITE SESAME SEEDS
- FEW INDIAN REGIONAL OR VERNACULAR NAMES OF WHITE SESAME SEEDS
- FLAVOUR OF WHITE SESAME SEEDS
- INDIAN CULINARY USES OF WHITE SESAME SEEDS/ELLU/TIL
- SOUTH INDIAN CUISINES
- NORTH INDIAN CUISINES
- WINTER FESTIVAL FOODS
- MUKHWAS – INDIAN POST-MEAL MOUTH FRESHENER
- TIPS TO BUY AND STORE WHITE SESAME SEEDS/SAFED TIL/VELLAI ELLU
I would like to start this article with the Tamil proverb -
“இளைத்தவனுக்கு எள்ளு, கொழுத்தவனுக்கு கொள்ளு”
Here எள்ளு means “Sesame seeds” and கொள்ளு means “Horse gram”.
Translation of the proverb –
Feed the lean man with sesame seeds and feed the fatty man with horse grams.
I have already written an article regarding “Horse gram”. In case, if you want to check out. Kindly, click the below link –
The reason to begin this article with our ancestor's proverb is: Proverbs are not only sayings but also hold deep inner meaning. Like the above proverb says,
"இளைத்தவனுக்கு எள்ளு, கொழுத்தவனுக்கு கொள்ளு"
The above proverb clearly defines- "For people who want to gain weight sesame seeds greatly benefit them. Since sesame seeds contain fatty oils and proteins. It is highly helpful in gaining weight. On the other hand, Horse gram is nutritionally rich in fibre and protein and that works best as a fat burner and reduces excess body fat". By this definition, we can clearly understand the deep inner meaning behind our ancestor's proverbs.
Let’s get into the topic “SESAME SEEDS”
The sesame seed plant is one of the oldest plants known to mankind. It has a long history of culinary use and medicinal use across different cultures. The most used part of the sesame plants is sesame seeds. Sesame seeds are tiny oily seeds used as an ingredient in cuisines across the globe. Sesame seeds are the most commonly used ingredient in India across different cuisines. They can be used as it is or in the form of oil.
In this article, I have shared the information regarding “white sesame seeds” including their flavour, culinary uses, and purchasing and storing ideas.
ABOUT – "SESAME PLANT"
The sesame plant is botanically known as Sesamum indicum. It belongs to the Pedalium family or the Sesame family. The sesame plant is a flowering plant mostly found in tropical regions. It is widely cultivated for its edible seeds called sesame seeds.
ORIGIN OF SESAME PLANT
A charred lump of sesame seeds was found in the excavations of Mohenjo-Daro dated about 2000 BC. For a long time, there was much speculation among botanists about whether the sesame plant was indigenous to India or not. Today most doubts have been set at rest, and the plant is known to have been developed in India. This occurred from a wild ancestor which even now grows quite commonly in various parts of the country. The botanical name of Sesamum Indicum was given to it by the great Swedish botanist, Linnaeus, about 200 years ago. It has turned out to be an accurate choice. From India, the sesame went a very long time ago to various parts of the Middle East, being referred to as se-gis-i in the clay tablets of the Sumerian civilization of about 3000 BC.
(SOURCE- FROM THE BOOK “THE STORY OF OUR FOOD” BY KT ACHAYA)
ABOUT – “SESAME SEEDS”
Sesame seeds are edible seeds that grow within the sesame plant’s fruit pods. Once fruit pods are matured, they are harvested with the plant and allowed to dry under direct sunlight until to burst open the pods and scatter the seeds. This process takes 2-3 days mostly depending upon the temperature. Then the seeds are manually shaken to remove the remaining seeds. Farmers manually collect and clean the scattered sesame seeds (the toughest part of harvesting sesame seeds). Sesame seeds come in a variety of colours from Black, White, Red or Brown.
ABOUT – “WHITE SESAME SEEDS”
White sesame seeds are commonly known as Vellai Ellu in Tamil, Safed Til in Hindi, Tella Nuvvulu in Telugu, and Tila in Sanskrit. It is a well-known ingredient across various Indian cuisines. White sesame seeds can be used to make both sweet and savoury recipes. It can be used as it is or soaked and ground into paste form or dry-toasted and ground into powdered form.
APPEARANCE OF WHITE SESAME SEEDS
White sesame seeds are tiny, teardrop-shaped flat seeds with an off-white shade of colour. It is delicate seeds that measure nearly 3 millimetres in length and are bulbous at one end, tapering down into a rounded point.
FEW INDIAN REGIONAL OR VERNACULAR NAMES FOR WHITE SESAME SEEDS
Tamil name – Vellai Ellu.
Hindi name – Safed Til.
Telugu name – Tella Nuvvulu.
Marathi name – Teel.
Bengali name – Til.
Malayalam name – Ellu.
Sanskrit name – Tila.
Kannada name – Ellu.
FLAVOUR OF WHITE SESAME SEEDS
Sesame seeds are oil-rich seeds. They contain approximately 50-60% of high-quality oil. White sesame seed has a combination of creamy, sweet and mildly bitter tastes. The raw sesame seeds have no unique aroma. But, dry-toasting gives a nutty aroma to sesame seeds.
INDIAN CULINARY USES OF WHITE SESAME SEEDS/ELLU/TIL
As I mentioned earlier in this article, sesame seeds are one of the oldest edible seeds known to mankind and also one among the indigenous seeds of India.
Sesame seed is one of the traditional and staple ingredients across different regional cuisines of India. Dark brown or black sesame seeds and white sesame seeds are the two most commonly available and widely used variants in Indian cooking.
White sesame seed is a versatile ingredient. It can be used to make both sweet and savoury dishes. White sesame seed can be used as it is or dry-toast and ground into a powdered form or soaked and ground into paste form or milk form.
SOUTH INDIAN CUISINES
In the southern parts of India, sesame seeds are a frequently used ingredient in cooking. One or other form of sesame seeds is always present in the cooking.
FOR EXAMPLE
SESAME OIL OR SESAME SEEDS PASTE OR SESAME SEEDS POWDER
White sesame seeds can be used to make various savoury foods like chutney or chutney podi (chutney powder for Idli/Dosai), masala podi (special mix made with spices and nuts), especially used for making a variety of rice, kuzhambu (curries), and to deep-fried snacks.
FOR EXAMPLE
ELLU CHUTNEY (SESAME CHUTNEY), PULIYOGARE POWDER (SPECIAL BLEND USED FOR MAKING TAMARIND RICE), ELLU MURUKKU (FRIED SAVOURY SNACK)
White sesame seeds are naturally sweeter. They taste very delicious in various sweet dishes. There is a wide variety of south Indian sweet dishes using white sesame seeds.
FOR EXAMPLE
TAMILNADU SPECIAL VELLAI ELLU URUNDAI (WHITE SESAME SEED LADDOO), KERALA SPECIAL ELLU MITTAI (WHITE SESAME SEED BARS), KARNATAKA SPECIAL ELLU BELLA, ANDHRA PRADESH SPECIAL ARISELU OR ADHIRASAM
In the picture - Vellai Ellu Urundai Recipe/Sesame Seed Ladoo Recipe
NORTH INDIAN CUISINES
As South Indians, North Indians especially northeast Indians widely use sesame seeds in their cooking. They also use sesame seeds in a variety of dishes whether sweet or savoury, as the main ingredient or as a final garnish.
White sesame seed is a key ingredient in many north Indian masala powders. It adds a body to the dish and also works as a thickening agent.
FOR EXAMPLE
MAHASHTRIAN GODA MASALA, KALA MASALA, KOLI MASALA
WINTER FESTIVAL FOODS
In the northern parts of India, sesame seeds are the most essentially used ingredient, especially during the winter seasons. Being a natural heat-inducing ingredient, sesame-based food helps to keep the body warm. And that’s the reason it is always a part of many winter festival foods.
FOR EXAMPLE
Winter festival foods like SAFED TIL KI LADOO, TIL KI CHIKKI, TIL PAPADI OR PAPRI, TIL PITHA
Sesame seeds can be added to most of the traditional deep-fried sweet or savoury foods. Sesame seed adds a nutty texture to fried foods.
In the picture - Ellu Panaka/Sesame Seeds Juice Recipe/Ellu Juice Recipe
For the detailed Ellu Panaka/Sesame Seeds Juice Recipe/Ellu Juice Recipe. Kindly, click the below link -
🔗Ellu Panaka/Sesame Seeds Juice Recipe/Ellu Juice Recipe
MUKHWAS – INDIAN POST-MEAL MOUTH FRESHENER
Sesame seeds can be added to seed-based MUKHWAS (Mukhwas is an essential post-meal treat to aid digestion and freshen the mouth.
The above are some of the recipe ideas using white sesame seeds. You could innovatively use sesame seeds in your cooking.
Sesame seeds are one of the oldest and healthiest ingredients and have a long history of both culinary and medicinal use across different cultures. I enjoyed writing this article. I hope this article provides the valuable information you are looking for.
TIPS TO BUY AND STORE WHITE SESAME SEEDS/SAFED TIL/VELLAI ELLU
White sesame seeds are easily available around the year at any grocery store and also in the online market.
When buying sesame seeds, look for freshness, and moisture-free and always buy the recently dated products.
HOW TO STORE SESAME SEEDS/ELLU/TIL?
You can store sesame seeds in an airtight container in a cool and dry place for 2-3 weeks. To extend the shelf life for up to 6 months place them in an airtight container or zip lock bag in the refrigerator or the freezer.
TIP
It is best to store sesame seeds in the refrigerator or the freezer. Because sesame is an oily seed and it easily becomes rancid at room temperature.
HAPPY COOKING!
with better ingredients for better food.
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