ORIGIN & HISTORY

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), also known as sesamum, gingelly, beniseed, sim-sim and til, is one of the world's oldest oilseeds known to human race. No record can be traced regarding the original home of sesame. Evidences however indicate Ethiopia as the center of origin of cultivated sesame (Maiti et al. 1988). It has been said that the Gods of the ancient Assyrians refreshed themselves with sesame seed wine before they began the horrendous task of creating the world. A 4000 year old drawing on an Egyptian tomb illustrates a baker adding sesame seeds to the dough. Sesame was used in funerals and other ceremonies as a purifier and symbol of immortality. In days of Cleopatra, the consumption of sesame seeds by Greek soldiers was considered to give them energy and strength to carry out their arduous work. Sesamum (sim-sim) was the secret word in the story of Ali Baba and forty thieves.