Food

Sesame seeds pack a flavor and nutrient punch

Emily Fiffer

Sesame seeds might be tiny, but they hold serious superpowers. In addition to being survivor crops (they thrive equally well in droughts and monsoons, with little attention required), they’re 25 percent protein by weight and high in antioxidants. They’re rich in history, too. As the oldest known oilseed crop, their roots can be traced back to 3,500 B.C. Today, cultures around the globe use the seed in a multitude of manners. Ground sesame paste, or tahini...