Michelle Darmody: Tahini and sesame seeds in baking — including perfectly 'squishy' brownies

Homemade Vegan Tahini Cookies

Sesame seeds have a nutty delicate flavour which intensifies once they are roasted or baked. They have been cultivated in tropical regions throughout the world since prehistoric times — the edible seeds, which grow in pods were the first crop used to make a cooking-oil. The seeds are thought to have first originated in India and are mentioned in early Hindu legends. 'Open sesame' — the famous phrase from the Arabian Nights — relates to a distinguishing feature of the sesame pod, which bursts open with a pop when it reaches maturity.

The oil made from crushed sesame seeds is a particularly popular ingredient in Asian cooking and can be used as a back note to a salad dressing. The seeds themselves add crunch to both savoury and sweet cooking. Sesame seeds come in a variety of different colours which have varying tastes: black, white, or the most popular seeds which have a slight golden hue.