Sesame is one of the world’s oldest oilseeds, cultivated since antiquity across South and East Asia. The seed contains lignans, notably sesamin and sesamol, which alter with roasting and contribute antioxidant character and shelf life.

Untoasted Sesame Oil is gentle, grassy and nutty, a reliable carrier. It is generally used for cooking, for higher-heat work and as a neutral, textured frying medium. Toasted Sesame Oil is a darker, aromatic distillation: warm, smoky and evocative of a hearth. A few drops of toasted oil perfume an entire bowl the way a single pigment can change a painting. It is used sparingly as a finishing element on noodles, salads, and broths. Chefs often reserve toasted oil for final-minute seasoning rather than cooking, so its fragrance remains vivid and clean.