Made from ground black sesame seeds and either honey or sesame oil, Black Sesame Paste is used as a flavoring to make sweet and savory dishes in Japanese and Asian cuisines. Learn how to make it at home today!
In a non-greased pan, toast the sesame seeds to bring out the aroma.
Put the toasted sesame seeds in the food processor and start processing. You can also grind the black sesame seeds by mortar and pestle (but it will take some time).
It will take some time for the sesame seeds to release the oil, so be patient.
Scrape the sesame seeds from the sides as needed and run again. Depending on the machine, you may need to take a break to avoid breaking the motor.
When the sesame seeds are finely ground and become moist from the natural sesame oil, add honey/sesame oil and process again to combine.
The sesame seeds will start to look pastier. Continue processing.
Once the sesame seeds are all ground, liquidy, and pasty, transfer to a sterilized mason jar.
To Store
You can store homemade sesame paste in the refrigerator for up to 1 month and in the freezer for half a year. Bring the paste back to room temperature before using it.