Can You Grind Sesame Seeds in a Food Processor?

Grinding sesame seeds may seem like a simple task, but achieving the right consistency and texture requires a little technique. Below, we will guide you through the process of grinding sesame seeds in a food processor, along with tips to avoid common pitfalls.

Grinding Sesame Seeds in a Food Processor

When grinding sesame seeds in a food processor, the key is to do it in short pulses and to scrape the sides of the container after each pulse to ensure even grinding. Here’s how you do it:

Choose Your Equipment: Use a food processor with a metal blade. Ceramic blades can heat up and burn the seeds, leading to a bitter taste. Add Sesame Seeds: Place a small handful of sesame seeds just below the fill line of the food processor container to avoid overflow. Pulse the Seeds: Turn the food processor on and pulse the seeds for about three to four seconds. Avoid pulsing for too long as the seeds may start to clump together. Scrape the Sides: Stop the processor and scrape the sides of the container to ensure that the seeds underneath the blade are lifted and ground evenly. Repeat the Process: Pulse the seeds in short bursts until the desired consistency is reached. For fine grinding, continue pulsing until the sesame seeds are uniform in texture.

Why Scraping Is Important

The process of grinding sesame seeds in a food processor can cause the seeds to heat up, especially when they are not evenly distributed. When you pulse the seeds, you need to scrape the sides of the container to redistribute them and ensure that they are all under the blade. This helps achieve a more even and consistent grinding experience, preventing clumping and overheating.

The Chemistry Behind Grinding Sesame Seeds

Grinding sesame seeds involves a chemical process that can change their components. While this might not always be a concern, it’s important to understand why. When sesame seeds are crushed, heat is generated, which can cause the formation of hydrogenated fats. This is why it is recommended to use high-quality sesame seeds and to grind them as needed rather than storing ground sesame seeds for long periods.

What Happens When You Grind Sesame Seeds?

The process of grinding sesame seeds can change its chemical composition. During this process, the seeds can become slightly more chlorophyll-based, which can affect their taste and add a slightly bitter flavor. However, this can be minimized by using the right technique and choosing the right equipment.

High-quality sesame seeds, such as those that are cold-pressed or cold-extracted (also known as harvested sesame), are less likely to undergo this transformation. These seeds are less likely to become rancid or change their taste due to the grinding process. On the other hand, inferior seeds may undergo more noticeable changes in flavor and texture.

How to Get Sesame Oil from Sesame Seeds

Interestingly, the process of grinding sesame seeds can be used to extract sesame oil. By grinding the seeds to a paste and then adding heat, the oil can be separated from the paste. This is a traditional method of extracting sesame oil that is still used today.

However, it's worth noting that for health reasons, it’s often best to use virgin olive oil. While sesame oil has its own unique qualities and flavors, olive oil is considered to be the safest and most beneficial for health. Olive oil contains antioxidants and healthy fats that can provide numerous health benefits.