Background: 

Tahini is a ground sesame seed paste. It provides the characteristic flavour to hummus, and is also used in stir-fries, salad dressings, marinades, or as simple dip or condiment. This versatile ingredient has a smooth nutty texture that can be applied in both sweet and savoury dishes!  

Benefits of Tahini: 

• Tahini is packed full of protein! Protein is made up of tiny building blocks called amino acids used in muscle formation and other cellular components of the body.  

• A great source of calcium! Sesame is off the beaten trail when you think of food sources of calcium, but it is a wonderful plant-based source! Calcium is needed for bone strength, muscle function, and more. 
• A good source of iron. Iron is a very important nutrient that is involved in blood cell synthesis and oxygen delivery, and many people are not getting enough iron from their diet.  
• A good source of other minerals such as magnesium and phosphorous; important nutrients that play a role with muscle, bone, nerve impulses, acid/base balance and more.  
• A source of compounds called lignans and other dietary fibres, which have been shown to play a role in lowering cholesterol and may even have anti-cancer properties! 

Nutritional Value of 2 Tbsp. (30g) of Tahini: 

• 184 calories 
• 5.4 g carbohydrate 
• 2.8 g fibre  
• 5.4 g protein 
• 17.1 g fat 
• Provides 27% of your daily recommended intake of zinc  
• Provides 4% of your daily calcium requirements  

Did You Know…  

Tahini can be bought in hulled or un-hulled versions. “Hulling” is the process of removing the outer layer of the sesame seed grain before processing it. Therefore, un-hulled tahini has more health properties since it keeps the outer grain layer, where many nutrients are held.