The sesame plant, an S. indicum type also known as benne, is a nature powerhouse. The plant is an example of the diversity and resilience of the green world.
For over a millennia, sesame has been nourishing us with its ultra rich nutrient seeds and oil. With its rich taste and therapeutic abilities, It has been a key ingredient in cuisines and conventional medicine across the globe. Nonetheless, the tale of the seed extends long beyond taste buds and the apothecary.
This understated plant has also been raised as a figurehead of the new sustainable fashion. It offers renewable and biodegradable alternatives for the textile industry.
Let’s explore the nutritional value, cultivation, history, and it’s exciting future in the realm of green fashion.
A History Steeped in Time
- Sesame’s past is long, tracing back to the ancient Egyptian era over 5,000 years ago.
- It was developed in Africa and grew quickly to India and the remainder of Asia.
- Traces of this plant are also found in early archaeological sites from the Indus Valley Civilization.
Sesame seeds hold a symbolic value. It holds different meanings in different cultures to represent prosperity, luck, and immortality.
Fact: Sesame in ancient Egypt was called sesemt. It appears in the Ebers Papyrus scrolls, which can be dated to around 1550 BC, where the it was mentioned because of its medicinal property. Whereas, excavations from King Tutankhamen’s tomb have brought to light baskets filled with the seeds besides various other burial items, signifying that it existed in Egypt around 1350 BC.
Botany and Life Cycle of Sesame
- Sesamum indicum is erect annual herb which normally grows about three feet tall. The leaves are lanceolate, tapering to a point, in opposite pairs on the stem.
- The flowers are axillary, remarkably beautiful and delicate, and either white or of rose color.
- The flowers undergo self-pollination.
- The seed pods are small, oblong capsules that develop after the flowers die.
- Contains numerous small, fiat seeds, which are of a range of colors.
Growth and Cultivation
- Conforms to hot, sunny weather with proper drainage.
- Very drought-resistant.
- Normally sesame is seeded directly into the soil after the last frost.
- Requiring minimum care during its growth cycle.
- Relatively disease- and pest-resistant.
Harvesting Sesame
- Critical to harvest plants at the correct time when seed pods are brown and beginning to crack open.
- If they stay for too long, the pods will burst, dispersing the precious seeds.
- Its crops are conventionally cut and bound, and allowed to dry under the sun.
- The seeds are threshed once dried, a process that strips the seeds off the pods.
The Nutritional Powerhouse
- Good source of healthy fats, namely monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
- Best source of protein.
- Among the finest plants of dietary fiber.
- Itis loaded with essential minerals, including calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc.
Culinary Delights and Beyond
- Adds nutty flavor and crunch texture to bread, rolls, and crackers.
- Culinary oil used in various cuisines across the world.
- Besides, it is a key ingredient in making tahini, which in turn constitutes an important ingredient used in preparing hummus and other Middle Eastern food.
- Roasted sesame seeds are mighty tasty food.
- It is also used in cosmetics and traditional medicines.
Sesame in Sustainable Fashion
After the sesame seeds are reaped, the stalks can be used to produce a tough and durable fiber.
- The fiber can be spun into yarn and made into cloth.
- Renewable material.
- Biodegradable.
- There is less processing required than in synthetic fibers.
Challenges and Opportunities
- Optimization of sesame fiber extraction and processing is needed to be researched further.
- Development of efficient and cost-effective spinning and weaving processes of the yarn needs to be focused on.
- Raising consumer awareness on the benefits of sesame textile products is essential.
There is growing demand for green and sustainable fashion products. Sesame fibre offers a desirable alternative to conventional textiles.
Conclusion
Sesame is a gift of nature, a mighty and humble crop. With all its goodies, such as nutritional seeds and oil, potential for sustainable textile fiber, sesame is indeed full of goodies. As we move toward a sustainable future, sesame has an even brighter future ahead. By this wellness plant, we can create a world where agriculture, nutrition, and eco-fashion coexist.
