Tahini & Dark Tahini

[jamesey]

Hi,

Is dark tahini with the shells still on, which would give it the dark color? I just ordered some normal tahini, and have realised it dark tahini is one with the shells, then normal can't have the shells, and that means I believe I'm missing out on all the calcium and iron that the shells contain :(

Could anyon tell me what dark tahini tastes like? I'm surprised by how nice noirmal tahini tastes, and would like to know if dark tahini also tastes nice (such as on crackers). And also the texture... I image it, if they contain the shells, to be bitty and possibly harder to digest.. Any info on this would be great!

[Veganforlife]

Well, doing a quick google search, I came up with this:

http://mammaearth.com/raw-food/carley-39-s-raw-dark-tahini/prod_102.html

and

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-tahini.htm

I think you're okay, provided this tahini is Raw?

[jamesey]

thanks for the links.. yes it looks as though a lot of nutrition is lost as the shells are removed. but i couldn't see it mentioning dark tahini.. i have to assume these do have the shells though. if anyone has had dark tahini, does anyone know what it tastes like.. and can you enjoy it with crackers?

[cara4art]

sees like the dark(black) tahini would be made with unhulled black sesame seeds. I've been getting these at my co-op's bulk bins as they are even cheaper than the regular unhulled(tan instead of the refined whiteones). I love the black sesame seeds in my crackers - they end up looking like lava fields - LOL! But back to the dark tahini - Living Tree Foods sells it, and it sounds divine! But I might try making some of this myself since I have my Blend-tec.

[kaybee]

i think/though dark tahini was the one with the shells, light was without, and the one made with black sesame was called black sesame...
i love tahini especially mixed with honey, but i tried artisanas (i think it was artisana) black sesame tahini and i thought it was awful. it sort of burned my throat, even mixed with honey. supposed to be very good for you but i found it bitter and icky (not to mention pricey!) just my experience though. ( i love artisanas coconut butter, so its not the company; i must just not like black sesame. )

the dark sesame tahini is considerably more bitter than the light tahini. still great mixed with honey or agave though.

the thing is, im not sure if ANY light tahini is "really raw" as my understanding is that the seeds that have been shelled are usually warm/hot air dried......

i havent had any luck making raw tahini as nice as the tahini ive gotten in jars. i think when you heat or roast the seeds, it must make them creamier and oilier or something. most that you get in jars isnt raw, and im not sure if even the rejuventaive foods one is because i think they note on the jar that the seeds are still warm temperature dried and/or that there could be heat from processing.
i had one from artisana that said it was raw and was REALLY good, but again, dont know if they are getting "really raw" hulled seeds or not, or if there is even a source for them. i prefer light tahini and the hulled seeds but here in ireland we cant even get organic hulled seeds and non-organic ones can be hulled using chemicals so are to be avoided....

[T-Bird]

I don't like tahini with the shells on - not the taste I'm looking for.

There are black sesame seeds, I would think that is what the dark is.

[jamesey]

Thanks for the help guys.. looks like my current tahini jar will be the last i use. it tastes great but has lost all the calcium and iron. i may give the dark tahini a go at least but won't expect much taste wise then!! Maybe I'll give pumpkin seed butter a go.. it seems as that has a lot of iron and other good stuff in and hopefully would taste ok!

[kaybee]

i wouldnt necessarily ditch the light tahini, if its actually raw. its still a good source of protein etc, and it is HEAVEN with lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil as a dressing.
good luck on the pumpkin seed butter; ive found it to be bitter :( light tahini is still my fav but like i say i havent seen a way to make it really raw. if you DO buy light tahini or hulled sesame, make sure its organic, or that it says "mechanically hulled"; otherwise i believe they can use an acid or something to eat away the shells.

[Zanjabil]

I thought light tahini is made from hulled raw sesame seeds and dark tahini was made from toasted sesame seeds.:confused:

[kaybee]

i thought light tahini was made from hulled sesame seeds and dark tahini was made from ones with the hulls still on.... the jars im talking about say untoasted on both of them. but i havent found any that are really raw, except MAYBE artisanas (but again, are the seeds they use hot-temperature dried?)