Sesame (Sesamum indicum) 8 seeds

Sesame - Sesamum indicum - 8 seeds

Sesamum indicum is an annual plant that can grow up to 100 cm tall. Originally from Africa, the flowers can be white, blue or purple. The seeds are very small and vary between varieties; after harvest they are cleaned and hulled.

Sesame seeds are used to make paste and press oil, they are sprinkled on sweet and savoury baked goods, and used as a spice. The seeds contain approximately 42% light yellow semi-drying oil, which ranks among the finest edible oils and surpasses even olive oil in quality. The seeds are also an excellent source of high-quality plant proteins, niacin, phosphorus, calcium, sulphur and carbohydrates.

How to grow sesame

• Requires a sunny location. Keep the substrate constantly moist, not waterlogged. Mature plants require less watering. If keeping plants on the terrace during summer, always on the south side. Best positioned against a wall. Plants are susceptible to wind and rain. Thrives in temperatures around 23°C.

• Sow seeds in special substrate designed for sowing. Can be sown year-round. Plant seeds 1 cm deep. The ideal temperature for germination is around 20 degrees. Germination usually takes one month.

• The substrate should be sandy and well-draining.

• Sesame requires humus-rich soil. Work well-aged compost or slow-release granular fertiliser into the container where you'll be growing sesame.

• The plant does not suffer from diseases or pests.

• Harvest the seeds, which are a source of very high-quality oil.

Photo sources:
By Franz Xaver - Self-photographed, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1846251
By Mullookkaaran - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28265090