Tahini has a long history despite being an uncommon product in European kitchens. It is believed to have been first produced in India, with sesame seeds being a basic ingredient of this product.
Today, it is a widely used food in the Middle East and on the Asian and African continents. However, it is gradually growing and reaching more and more pantries, as is the case in Europe.
What is tahini?
Tahini is a cream with a toasted taste and a semi-liquid texture, which is made from sesame seeds. The name originates from the Arabic word tahain, which means flour. This product is the result of an authentic Middle Eastern culinary tradition.
Our ACHVA brand tahini is made from sesame grown in the fertile soils of Humera, Ethiopia, where the climate is ideal for the growth of this type of seed. This sesame is noted for its sweet and rich nutty flavour. It is perfect for Tahini thanks to its high oil content, which gives a smooth, creamy texture, unlike the thicker, pasty textures produced by other seeds.
Our other brand of tahini MED CUISINE is also made with the best sesame from Humera (Ethiopia). It features the delicious, traditionally roasted seeds to create a smooth, flavoursome and versatile paste. Ideal for making sauces such as traditional hummus.
Different types of tahini
As time goes by and its popularity increases, experimentation with this product increases. New flavours and seasonings are being sought within this sesame seed cream. Some of the variants that can be found on the market include:
- Black or toasted tahini. This type is made from whole toasted sesame seeds without being ground. This gives it a more intense taste than white tahini.
- White tahini. Unlike toasted, the sesame seeds are peeled and ground. This cream has a milder taste and a semi-liquid texture. This is because they are not toasted in the frying pan, which is why they are lighter in colour.
- Organic. This is made from completely organic sesame seeds that are grown without the use of chemicals or pesticides.
- Black sesame. It is made in the same way as the other sesame creams, but in this case, a black seed is used. This gives it a more intense flavour and a black colour.
- Sweet tahini. In some cases this cream is made with sweet ingredients such as honey. It is made with the purpose of applying it to sweet dishes.
- Sweet sesame butter tahini. For this variant, roasted and ground humera sesame seeds are used together with sugar, salt and vanilla extract. This makes it a special sauce and ideal for pancake toppings and even milkshakes.
- Roasted garlic tahini. A touch of roasted garlic is added to the sesame cream process. This sauce is widely used in Mediterranean dishes, especially for savoury foods.
- Organic chilli. It is made with roasted and ground sesame seeds, hot red chilli and sweet paprika. It is ideal for those who are looking for a spicier touch to their dishes. Perfect with hummus, dips and savoury dishes.
- Smoked Tahini. Smoked seeds are used in this cream, which add a smoky flavour and aroma to the sauce.
What are its health benefits?
Tahini is a very complete product that provides different nutritional benefits essential for health. This food is a source of minerals for the human body.
Source of healthy fats
It contains beneficial healthy fatty acids essential for human well-being, such as omega-6 and omega-9. These improve cardiovascular health and brain function.
Contains high-quality protein
Contains proteins of vegetable origin, as well as vitamins E and B6, which facilitate and support the proper functioning of the nervous system.
Essential minerals for the human body
Tahini contains iron, phosphorus, calcium, zinc, potassium and magnesium, among others. These are important for bone health and metabolism.
Other benefits of tahini
Consuming this sesame seed spread has other benefits such as de-inflammation of the body. This is partly due to its antioxidants.
In addition, its use is very useful in lowering cholesterol in people, as it improves cardiovascular health.
In which dishes can it be used?
Tahini is a semi-liquid cream with a deep and satisfying taste, with toasted touches and for palates with a certain level of delicacy. It is a very complete cream that can be mixed in the kitchen in different ways, both in starters and in sweet or savoury dishes:
- Hummus. This is the most popular dish in which this sauce is used. Tahini is used to flavour this chickpea paste. Its texture and flavour add a premium, toasted touch to this gourmet dish.
- Baba ganoush. Another of the foods in which this sesame cream is applied. Baba ganoush is a typical dish in Arabic cuisine. It is an aubergine puree that can be eaten as a starter. With tahini, a toasted flavour is achieved, which enhances this puree even more.
- Salad dressing. It can also be used as a mixture for different purees or meals. This sesame seed cream is used in salads to create dressings and give a personalised touch to salads.
- Sweet dishes. Thanks to its flavour and nutritional components, tahini goes well with various sweets. It can be incorporated in the creation of biscuits, brownies or snacks, among others, providing new contrasts and an original and not excessive touch.
- Meat or fish. It is also ideal for marinating meat or fish dishes. By combining these foods with tahini cream, tasty and succulent toppings are created. An example is cod brandade toast with this tahini topping.
Premium tahini
This semi-liquid sesame seed cream is very popular in kitchens for enhancing the flavour of dishes. A jar of ACHVA or MED CUISINE premium tahini in the pantry is a must if you want to delve into the culinary traditions of the Middle East.
ACHVA, founded in 1929, is a world-leading manufacturer based in Israel. It specialises mainly in the production of sesame products such as Tahini and Halva.
The products are made only from the world’s best sesame seeds harvested from the fertile soils of Humera, Ethiopia. All crops are organically grown.
Med Cuisine, on the other hand, was founded out of an enormous love for Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food. They pride themselves on bringing these authentic and delicious flavours to the best gastronomic establishments in the EU. The values they stand for are Quality, Innovation and Sustainability.
Both brands have a wide selection of tahini varieties such as: sweet sesame butter tahini sauce, chocolate, black, garlic or organic chilli, among others.
A traditional, quality flavour that top chefs and fine dining restaurants rely on. This is due to its nutritious nature and healthy eating.
