Sesame
Family Pedaliaceae
Sesamum indicum (= Sesamum orientale), sesame (P. edulis 1), is an annual herb, 1-2 m tall, covered with glandular hairs. The leaves are variable, alternate or opposite, entire or coarsely serrated. The zygomorphic flowers are borne in the axils of the upper leaves, 3-4 cm long, white, pink or blotched. The fruit is a capsule, 3 cm long, rectangular in cross section, brown or purple in colour and containing small seeds (S. indicum 2), which can be white, yellow, grey, red, brown or black in colour. They contain about 50% oil, which is rich in oleic and linoleic acid.
Distribution
Most likely, sesame is of African origin, where it is known as simsim in East Africa and benniseed in West Africa. From here it spread to India, and appears to have reached China in the first century AD. It was taken to the New World by the early slave trade. Today it is grown in Africa, Asia and parts of Central and South America for its edible seeds and oil.
Use
The oil, which is also known as gingelly oil, is used as a salad and cooking oil, lamp oil and lubricant; and for the manufacture of margarine, soap and paints. In India it is also used as body oil. The residual press cake is used as cattle food. The fried seeds are eaten in soup and mixed with sugar. After removal of the testa, the seeds are also used on top of cakes and bread. In West Africa the young leaves are eaten as a vegetable. The plant is also used in native medicine.
The biggest producers of sesame are India, China and Burma.