FAQs about Japanese Sesame Oil
Taihaku and Taikou sesame oil can be used as table oil for soy sauce or katsu sauce. A small amount of sesame oil can be sprinkled on any dish to enhance its flavor.
Taihaku sesame oil can be sprinkled over vegetables or soup for a deep and sweet flavor. Taikou sesame oil is great for Japanese chilled tofu, miso soup, and Somen noodles, bringing out a delicate sesame flavor.
Unlike dark roasted sesame oil, Taihaku sesame oil is untoasted so it has no taste or fragrance. This makes it an excellent alternative to butter, margarine, or other shortening when baking.
Close the lid tightly, and store in a cool, dark place. For best results use within two months of opening.
Expiration dates vary for sesame products depending on the amount of light exposure. Find the production date on the product’s packaging and use the below guide to determine how long it can be used.
Toasted sesame oil
Canned package: 2.5 years
Clear glass package: 2 years
Plastic package: 1.5 years
Pure sesame oil
Canned package: 2 years
Clear glass package: 1.5 years
Plastic package: 1 year
Sesame seeds
Raw sesame seeds or peeled sesame seeds: 9 months
Roasted sesame seeds, ground sesame seeds, or peeled roasted sesame seeds: 6 months
Sesame paste: 1 year
Recently expired oil may be fine, but we do not recommend using it.
If you notice any of the following, please stop using it immediately:
1. If you cannot taste the toasted sesame oil flavor, or if it tastes acidic
2. If the container has an unusual odor
3. If it appears cloudy or moldy
Sesame oil can freeze at temperatures below 21℉. It may become cloudy and sediment may settle at the bottom of the bottle. This does not mean it has gone bad. Simply heat the sesame oil and it will return to its normal state.
1. Soak up leftover oil with paper towels or pour into a plastic bag
2. Follow your local rules for disposing garbage
The label should peel off easily. If it doesn’t, soak the bottle in hot water.
Protein
Second only to beans in protein content, sesame seeds contain 20% protein. An important source of nutrition for skin, blood, bones, and hair, protein is one of the three essential nutrients, along with carbohydrates and fat.
Fiber
Sesame have three times the fiber content as brown rice. Fiber is important for a healthy diet.
Vitamins
Sesame seeds are an excellent source of several vitamins:
1. Vitamin A, which benefits skin and mucosal immunity
2. Vitamin B1 that keeps you energized
3. Niacin which helps the digestive system and nervous system
4. Vitamin E, an antioxidant
Minerals
Sesame seeds are a great source of minerals:
1. Calcium and iron, which are vital for blood and bone health
2. Magnesium and copper, which work synergistically with calcium and iron
3. Zinc and selenium which play an important role in the health of the immune system
Fatty acid content profile (%)
Essential Fatty Acids
1. Oleic acid (Omega-9) 39.3%
2. Linoleic acid (Omega-6) 44.7%
3. A-Linolenic acid 0.3%
Fatty Acid
1. Palmitic acid 9.1%
2. Stearic acid 5.5%
(Source: Japan Inspection Institute Of Fats & Oils)
Sesame Lignan
Lignans are chemicals found in plants and have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Sesame lignans are thought to help in reducing cholesterol, improving lung health, and boosting immune function.
Sesamin
Sesamin is the most prominent lignan compound found in sesame seeds. Sesamin is said to work great in removing reactive oxygen in the liver; and in taking sesame seeds before alcohol intake is effective for hangovers.
Most sesame seeds for household sesame oil are made from imported seeds. Japan produces about 200 tons of sesame seeds a year and imports about 160,000 tons from other countries. Nigeria, Tanzania, Guatemala, and Paraguay are some of the main producers of sesame seeds.
Ingredients of Maruhon sesame oil are a mix of white and black sesame seeds. Taihaku and Taikou sesame oil are made of the same ingredients.
Taihaku Sesame Oil
Taihaku sesame oil is 100% pure sesame oil. It is pressure-extracted from selected raw materials without roasting. It is colorless and has a lighter fragrance than roasted oil, but it still has a rich flavor.
Taihaku sesame oil can be used for a wide range of cooking.
Taikou Sesame Oil
Taikou sesame oil is made by roasting sesame seeds. The extraction process and the heat of the roasting process breaks down the ingredients in the sesame seeds, giving it a distinctive flavor and scent. The temperature or time of roasting can change its flavor and color.
Taikou sesame oil is lightly roasted, resulting in an amber brown color and mild, elegant flavor.
Both use the same ingredients and manufacturing method. They are equal in quality, but Pure Sesame Oil Gold has a stronger color and fragrance.
Maruhon mass produces Pure Sesame Oil Gold allowing us to offer it at a more affordable price.
Perilla oil and sesame oil are not the same thing. Perilla oil is obtained from perilla seeds, which is classified under the Japanese Basil (Shiso) family.
Sesame oil is made of sesame seeds, classified in the Sesame family.
The traditional method involved boiling roasted, smashed sesame seeds and removing the floating oil layer.
During the Edo era, the method was changed to pressing roasted sesame seeds without using hot water and extracting the oil.
Currently, most cooking oils are produced using the solvent extraction method.
Takemoto Oil & Fat still maintains the traditional pressure extraction method.
We do not use cold pressure extraction. Though heat is not applied in the process of pressure extraction, a “high temperature steaming” process is used before the pressure extraction process, making it easier to extract the oil.
Sesame seeds production
100% imported, we do not use domestic products
Port：Nagoya Port Storage：Nagoya port storehouse (indoor)
Sub materials
We purchase from a radioactivity-controlled manufacture. (Tested)
Production location
Gamagori-shi in Aichi prefecture (Takemoto Oil & Fat Co., Ltd Kameiwa Factory)
The exact distance from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant
Gamagori: About 450km Nagoya Port：About 455km
Radioactivity Testing
Basic testing is done once every month.
Each year, between March and May, we send samples to an external organization to investigate radio-cesium contamination.
Agricultural Chemical Testing
A third organization inspects each container.
Testing follows the standard list mandated by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The test list covers approximately 500 categories.
In China long ago, “Taihaku” meant “gold star”. There were different names for an evening star, a morning star, and the goddess Venus. Our pure sesame oil is delivered with pride for its remarkable quality, so we’ve named it for the brightest gold star: “Taihaku.”
Seasonings are lined up on the table to give you a taste you like, but why not add sesame oil to one of them? If you sprinkle with thick white sesame oil, you can enjoy its original taste while suppressing the habit and harshness of the ingredients. With the finest sesame oil, you can enjoy the fragrant sesame flavor. In addition, you can add spicy accents to your dishes by adding genuine sesame chili oil, or you can add richness to the taste with pure sesame seeds. Sesame oil is also an excellent seasoning. Why don't you sprinkle some sesame oil on various dishes and enjoy the rich and deep taste and aroma?
The cause of dislike of vegetables is the unique "smell" and "egumi(bitterness and astringency)". If you cook with thick white sesame oil, the "smell" and "egumi" will disappear and the natural sweetness will be brought out, so you can eat delicious vegetables.
"Tororo" is grated yam and long potato. If left untreated, it will become reddish over time and itchy on the mouth and hands. However, in such a case, try adding a little thick white sesame oil to "Tororo". No discoloration or itchiness. When you cook rice, add white sesame oil (1 tablespoon for 4 cups of rice). You can make fluffy rice with a glossy surface.
Untoasted sesame oil is not only suitable for just Japanese food and Chinese food. When making risottos and cakes, try using white sesame oil instead of butter. The elegant and non-persistent flavor enhances the aroma of the ingredients, making it more delicious than expected.
The key to frying tempura, which is delicious even when cold, is to fry the food in sesame oil. If you use the finest sesame oil a little luxuriously, you will have a full-fledged tempura.
The cause of heartburn is that the oil has become hot and has oxidized. However, the finest sesame oil is characterized by being extremely resistant to oxidation due to high-temperature heating. Even if you heat it on high heat for a long time, it will not oxidize, so if you use the finest sesame oil, you will be one of the masters of stir-fry.