Origins

• The sesame plant is native to Indonesia and East Africa. From these areas it spread through Asia, North Africa and the Middle East.
  
  

Early Use and Cultivation

• Sesame plants were grown in the Middle East 5,000 years ago and have been used in baking for at least 4,000 years, the age of an Egyptian tomb that shows a baker with sesame seeds. These seeds were one of the earliest condiments ever used. The sesame plant was also one of the first plants to be used for its oil, which is extracted from the seeds.
  
  

Sesame Seeds in the United States

• Sesame plants were introduced to the southern United States before the end of the 1600s by slaves from Africa. Sesame seeds are produced on a relatively modest scale domestically today.
  
  

Today

• Sesame seeds and their products are significant in Arab, Indian, Chinese and Japanese cuisines. The seeds are used to top breads and cakes and as coating in Asian dishes. Seeds are made into spreads like sesame butter and tahini. Sesame oil is used for cooking, for seasoning and as a condiment. The largest-producing countries are India, China and Mexico.