Think (And Drink) Sesame

Posted April 7, 2018

With the amount of information we have access to in the digital age, there are likely only a small number of ingredients that are truly novel. Even the trends that we write and speak about daily usually mimic a trend of the past, albeit with a slightly modern twist. We frequently see ingredients in the modern marketplace that societies have been using for centuries. Even though featured ingredients may not be novel, however, we can expect scientists and innovators from the food and beverage industry to introduce new applications and educate a wider audience as to some of the lesser known benefits of certain ingredients.

One example of an ingredient that we’re all very familiar with is the sesame seed. Sure, consumers may not know that the sesame flower varies from a light pink to a dark magenta color, but they have likely benefited from other benefits that this flowering plant is known for. Sesame seeds come from shaking the long pod (the fruit part of the plant) after it’s dried. The tiny seeds are known for some big benefits, including healthy fats, vitamin B1 and dietary fiber. It may be one of the oldest crops cultivated, but continues to benefit from novel applications and as an enhancement to a variety of products and dishes. While the most traditional seeds are lightly colored and probably most associated with hamburger buns, black sesame seeds have made their way into lattes and as an ice cream flavor. We predict that sesame will become a more popular ingredient in beverages, as the plant-based beverage category continues to explode. As you consider sesame as an ingredient in your next product launch, here are a few market products that are already leveraging this ingredient:

Hummus (any brand that uses tahini, which is made from ground sesame)

Halva (a dessert popular across the Middle East, made from tahini)

Sesame Kingdom Mediterranean Spreads

Golden Sesame Caramel Crunch Latte @ Starbucks Asia