Is homemade tahini cheaper than storebought?

[qfmother]

Hello - I buy organic raw tahini (in the refrigerated section) at Whole Foods for $12.99 per 16 oz jar. Is this stuff truly raw? Also, can I make it cheaper at home with organic sesame seeds, and how do I make it? The jar seems to be so expensive and go so fast when I make things like hummus...

Thanks!

[Dimond]

Depends on the brand. Usually tahini is inexpensive so it's much cheaper to buy it made-like Artisana. Retail stores are more expensive than the internet.

[Asa]

Since it's refrigerated and so expensive, I'll bet it is raw. However, I'm sure that the label would have more pertinent info ;) When it doubt though, call the company. Q's to ask include:
-do you pasteurize?
-what is the highest temp reached?
-ate the seeds "really raw" before your company starts processing them?

Making it yourself is SO MUCH CHEAPER. No comparison. You can get raw organic sesame in bulk for about $1.00-1.75/lb. Of course, depending your your equipment it can be really hard to get the same texture at home.

What do you use it for? If you spread it on things that the traditional "nut butter" texture is paramount, then that's that and you may have to resign yourself to buying it. Me, I only use it in sauces and dressings, etc. so the original texture of the tahini is not essential. Now, I just buy the seeds and grind them in a seed mill, or toss them directly into the recipe as it blends.

Remember that unless you are using a brand like Better than Roasted (which soaks, sprouts, rinses, and dehydrates ingredients before grinding) all the enzyme inhibitors are still there in your raw tahini. For that reason, I usually soak mine before using them.

Why should I pay so much per jar when I can grind them at home and they're not even soaked before using?? Ick.

[Asa]

btw- Dimond, not all Artisana products are raw. I believe that their tahini is, but their cashew butter is not, nor is some of their almond butter, etc.

[Dimond]

I'm aware of which of their products are raw. Not Raw: Cashew, Walnut, Pecan, Macadamia (due to the cashews that are in all of these).

Tahini Butter
1 cup Sesame seeds
1/8 cup Olive oil
½ -1 cup Water