Family Name: Pedaliaceae
Botanical Name(s): Sesamum Indicum, Sesamum Orientale, Sesamum
Trifoliatum, Sesamum Luteum
Popular Name(s): Bene Seeds, Beniseed, Benne, Gingelly, Gingili,
Gingilli, Semsem, Simsim, Teel, Til
Parts Used: Seed, Oil and Leaf
Habitat: It is found in India.
Description: A tropical herbaceous annual that grows 1 -2 m (2 -
6 ft) tall. The plant has an unpleasant odor. The leaves vary from ovate
to lanceolate and are hairy on both sides. The flowers are purple to
whitish, resembling foxglove, followed by 3 cm (1.25 in) capsules
containing numerous seeds.
Uses: The simplest and now commonest use of sesame is as whole
seeds sprinkled over cakes and breads, like poppy seeds. It is a
flavoring for hummus, a sauce for kebabs and is often mixed with lemon
and garlic to make a bread dip.
