Unhulled or hulled Sesame Seeds?

[Zuri]

Which type do you use to sprout and why does it matter? I thought you use unhulled to sprout and now I'm searching an online sprout seller that sells sproutable hulled ses seeds? I must have missed the boat on this one.

[Arky]

I've sprouted unhulled (i.e. left-alone!) sesame seeds, in the past, although I stopped sprouting sesame because of limited yield in comparison to other seeds. In general, if ever in doubt, you should always go for unhulled with almost any seed because you stand the best chance of success with a seed that's in its natural state. After all, how would plants have survived for millions of years if they needed the interfering hand of man to rip the seeds of their shells, in order for them to germinate and propogate the plant species? ;)

With reagrd to sesame seeds, specifically, you should also bear in mind that most people consume them for their prodigious calcium content. The calcium primarily resides in the hull of a sesame seed, so all those people who buy hulled sesame seeds in order to avoid the pesticides and/or the phytic acid content are, ironically, also avoiding the majority of the calcium content, too! The answer is simply to buy unhulled organic seeds and soak them or sprout them to neutralise the majority of the phytic acid content.

Good luck with your sprouting.


J.