A paste made from ground sesame seeds, commonly used in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. It has a creamy, nutty flavor and is a key ingredient in dishes like hummus and halva.
From Arabic طَحِينَة (ṭaḥīna), derived from the verb طَحَنَ (ṭaḥana) meaning 'to grind' or 'to mill'. The word entered English in the mid-20th century as Middle Eastern cuisine became more popular in Western countries. The Arabic term specifically refers to the paste made from grinding sesame seeds, distinguishing it from other ground seed or nut preparations.
Tahini's name literally means 'ground thing' in Arabic, coming from the same root as the word for flour mill! This humble sesame paste has been a protein powerhouse in the Middle East for millennia, and its recent popularity in Western health food circles represents a rediscovery of ancient nutritional wisdom.
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