Tahini
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.