A Taste For Tahini

By exploring its artisanal roots, we discover that tahini is a paste that packs a serious punch.

- Ally McManus

Starting with the simplicity of sesame seeds, tahini is a paste that packs a serious punch. Made from lightly roasted hulled sesame seeds that are ground into a thick, oily paste, tahini has a similar texture to peanut butter and its nutty flavour and thick, creamy texture make it suitable to use in both savoury and sweet recipes.

But perhaps just as rich as its taste are the stories behind the makers of this paste, who weave nature, history and care into their tahini for a paste that feeds much more than just your body.

A natural superfood

The health benefits of tahini come back to its origin: sesame seeds. “Sesame seeds are both gluten-free and packed with phytonutrients and antioxidants,” explains Paul Raff, the founder of Mayver’s. His family-owned, Victoria-based business creates nourishing pastes, from tahini to nut butters, that are made as close to nature as possible. “Tahini is made from 100 per cent sesame seeds, which are a rich source of calcium, antioxidants sesamol and sesamin, omega-6 and essential vitamins and minerals including zinc, potassium, magnesium, folic acid, niacin, selenium, copper and vitamins A and E,” continues Raff. The paste is also naturally high in plant-based protein, which makes it suitable for vegans and vegetarians.