Which seed is the main ingredient in the Middle Eastern condiment tahini?

Sesame seeds are the main ingredient in the Middle Eastern condiment tahini.

Tahini is a smooth paste made by grinding roasted or unroasted sesame seeds. It has a rich, nutty flavor and a pourable texture that can become thicker during storage as the sesame solids settle. Stirring the jar recombines the paste and oil before use.

Tahini is central to many Middle Eastern dishes. It is blended with chickpeas for hummus, mixed with garlic and lemon for sauces, and used in desserts such as halva. It also appears as a dressing for falafel, grilled meats, vegetables, and salads.

Although tahini resembles a nut butter, sesame is a seed rather than a tree nut. This distinction matters for allergy labeling. Tahini may be made from hulled or whole sesame seeds, producing differences in color, bitterness, and intensity.