How does sesame grow? Application and properties of sesame seeds

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Sesame (another name - "sesame") - a popular seasoning that is added to various bakery products. It is actively used as an additive to vegetable salads. Sesame seeds are used to make oil that has medicinal properties. Halva is also made from them.

How it looks in nature

We all know the he alth benefits of sesame seeds. They not only give a certain piquant taste to products, but also have a very large set of trace elements, vitamins and nutrients that are indispensable for the human body. In the bakery industry, one of the most popular additives is sesame. How does it grow in nature?

This is an annual plant that, under favorable conditions, reaches 0.60-1.5 meters in height. It has a strong taproot. The stem is green or reddish in color, very branched starting from the ground.

Flowers and fruits

The leaves of this plant can be smooth or slightly corrugated, up to 10-30 centimeters in length - this is how traditional sesame looks like. How does the fetus grow and form? Initially, large flowers appear with five stamens, but only four are normally developed. Sometimes in naturea glitch occurs, and as many as ten stamens appear on the flower.

After a certain period, the fruit appears. This is an oblong pointed box, which has a size of only 3-5 centimeters - this is what the fruit of a sesame plant looks like. How does it grow - were there favorable conditions, did the plant receive enough moisture, and so on - so high-quality seeds are obtained.

Type of seeds and their beneficial properties

After the box ripens, sesame seeds are removed from it. They are small, about 3 mm long, have a flat ovoid shape. Usually they are yellowish, white, but black and brown are also common.

Sesame: how it grows and where it is found

It is worth noting that this culture has long been domesticated, it is grown for industrial purposes. In the wild, sesame can only be found in Africa. On the territory of Russia, it is grown mainly in the Transcaucasus, Central Asia and the North Caucasus. Large plantations of this plant can be seen in Korea and China, India, tropical Africa.

Of course, it's interesting to see how sesame grows. Photos of this plant clearly show the powerful extensive plantations of this crop, which requires a lot of sun and heat. That is why this plant grows mainly in southern latitudes. Although some summer residents have learned to cultivate this crop in the middle lane. Surely they have studied how and where sesame grows, what conditions are needed for the normal ripening of seeds. And now many lovers of digging in the beds grow thisan exotic plant in completely unusual conditions.

How to collect seeds

We all remember the oriental tale about Ali Baba, where he said to the cave: "Sesame, open." Remember that sesame is sometimes called sesame. And such a fabulous password is associated with the fact that sesame pods are very fragile. The slightest wind or touch - and they immediately burst, and valuable seeds are on the ground.

This feature is taken into account when harvesting, when it comes time to harvest sesame. How it grows and ripens - field growers are closely monitoring this, therefore it is important not to miss the harvest. The fruits are not allowed to fully ripen, the pods are plucked slightly unripe. Otherwise, all seeds will be scattered.

Historical facts

It is interesting that the mention of this culture dates back to ancient times. For example, in Egyptian papyri, as well as in Assyrian myths. The latter tells that before the creation of the world, the gods decided to drink wine from sesame seeds.

In ancient China, 7 thousand years ago, sesame oil was used for lamps. The seeds were overcooked and made into soot for ink.

According to historians, sesame came to America through African slaves, who were massively brought to the mainland. This plant quickly gained popularity in the new continent.

But the inhabitants of Babylon made wine and brandy from sesame, baked sesame pies. They actively used the oil obtained from the plant in the kitchen, as well as as a toilet.body hygiene supplies.

The ancient Egyptians used sesame as a medicine.

Useful substances

No wonder the ancient people considered sesame a plant that gives immortality to a person. After all, the seeds, which contain up to 60 percent of oil, have a lot of useful substances, trace elements and vitamins.

Here is an incomplete chemical composition of sesame oil. It contains glycerides of the following acids:

• stearic (4-6%);
• oleic (35-48%);
• arachidic (up to 1.0%);
• lignoceric;
• linoleic (37-48%);
• palmitic (7-8%).

It is worth noting that these unsaturated fatty acids are perfectly absorbed by the body.

Also present in sesame:

• sesamin (chloroform);
• sesamolin;
• phytosterol;
• vitamin E;
• sesamole;
• plane.

But there is no vitamin A in sesame oil, which is familiar to other vegetable oils.

Indispensable in the kitchen

Here is such a useful product - sesame. Its use in cooking is quite common in all countries. We all know fragrant sesame buns, pastries, bread, crackers. In many cultures, it is customary to add roasted seeds to salads and vegetable dishes. Sesame seeds can be sprinkled on fried fish or pork chop. Seeds will perfectly decorate any hot dish and give it a piquant taste.

White sesame is used for desserts. Sesame halva is very popular, which has a delicate taste and absolutely charming milky taste.shade.

In Korea, sesame leaves are also used for food - they are fried and seasoned with sauce. Vegetables and rice are also wrapped in leaves, pickled and stewed.

Medical properties

In medicine, sesame oil has long been used both internally and externally. It improves such an indicator as blood clotting. Using the oil inside, you can achieve an increase in platelets in the blood. Just don't get carried away and be careful.

Actively sesame oil is used as a base for creams, various ointments and patches. Sesame seeds also have a mild laxative effect.

It is good for a cold to rub the chest area with oil heated in a water bath to 36-38 degrees. Sesame oil is excellent for treating ulcers and gastritis.

For these diseases, it is recommended to take one tablespoon of sesame oil orally 1-3 times a day. It is great for relieving constipation - one tablespoon in the morning and there will be no bowel problems.

The high-calorie oil is indispensable for recuperation.

If your skin is irritated, lubricate the area with an ointment that contains sesame oil. It works great for dermatitis, skin lesions. You can apply a bandage that is soaked in oil, or just lubricate the skin.

If you have a runny nose, you can put a drop of oil into the nasal passages, but preheat it in a water bath.

Sesame seeds can be used to cleanse the body. Pound 15 g of seeds into powder, mix with water. This mixture should be consumed 3 times a day before meals.

Some useful tips

In order for the aroma of sesame seeds to appear, they must be roasted. This should be done in a dry, hot skillet until the seeds begin to “bounce” slightly.

Don't put a lot of sesame oil in your dishes. Even a small amount of it will give a delicate nutty flavor.

Do not buy a lot of seeds for future use - due to their fat content, they may become slightly bitter over time. To prevent this from happening, store them in an airtight container and always in a dark place.