Sesame oil is produced by pressing sesame seeds to extract the oil. You will find two types of sesame oil at your local grocery store. Toasted sesame oil is darker than sesame oil and offers a richer, more intense flavor. Both oils contain the same amounts of calories and fat per serving. Knowing the differences, however, can help you understand how to use them in cooking.
Color and Production
Toasted sesame oil is a deep brown color, and sesame seeds are toasted or roasted prior to the expression of the oil. Untoasted sesame oil, usually simply labeled "sesame oil," is light in color and is pressed from raw seeds.
Uses
Toasted sesame oil has a strong flavor and is best when used in small quantities as an accent on a finished dish, such as a stir-fry. You can use untoasted sesame oil as a cooking oil to saute or stir fry, or as a base for salad dressings. Untoasted sesame oil has a smoke point of 420 degrees Fahrenheit, so it may be used for frying. Using toasted sesame oil for frying would make the final dish have an overpowering, unpleasant burnt sesame flavor.
Types
Toasted sesame oil comes in just one type, but the flavors may vary according to brand and quality. Untoasted sesame oil comes in a cold-expressed version, which is the kind usually used for salad dressings, much like cold-pressed olive oil. Unlabeled sesame oil is more refined and very light in flavor and is the type you should choose for frying, greasing a pan or sauteing.
Benefits
Both toasted and untoasted sesame oil are primarily unsaturated fats. Unsaturated fats can help you control your cholesterol levels, especially when used in place of saturated fats. A study in the "Yale Journal of Biological Medicine" published in March 2006 found that eating sesame oil can help lower blood pressure and increase the antioxidant status in patients with high blood pressure.
References
- Epicurious: Food Dictionary: Sesame Oil
- "Yale Journal of Biological Medicine"; Effect of Sesame Oil on Diuretics or ß-blockers in the Modulation of Blood Pressure, Anthropometry, Lipid Profile, and Redox Status; D. Sankar, et al.; March 2006
- Eden Foods: Toasted Sesame Oil - Imported
- USDA: National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference
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