எள்ளு (Tamil) – SESAME (English) – TILL (Hindi)
Sesame (எள்ளு) is one of the most important items which adds taste to our food. Most of our Indian snacks have sesame to add flavor and taste. Sesame is also available in both white and brownish (or black) in color. In most of our easter world food like Mcdonalds, Burger king uses bun with sesame. The seed is considered to be the oldest oilseed crop known to man, domesticated well over 5000 years ago. Like other nuts and foods, can trigger allergic reactions in some people.
Some Medicinal facts
- The oil is one of the most stable vegetable oils, with long shelf life, because of the high level of natural antioxidants.
- The seeds are a good source of calcium and are therefore suitable for sufferers of osteoporosis.
- Women of ancient Babylon would eat halva, a mixture of honey and sesame seeds to prolong youth and beauty, while Roman soldiers ate the mixture for strength and energy.
- The oil is used for massage and health treatments of the body (abhyanga and Shirodhara) and teeth (oil pulling) in the ancient Indian ayurvedic system.
Click here to see the recipes that we have on Manakkum Samayal