Black sesame seeds

[Franci]

I was looking for a good black sesame brand.

I just bought the Organic Traditions and it tastes very, very bitter. I know it is supposed to be more bitter than white sesame seeds but still...

Do you have a favorite brand? Do you buy already powdered black sesame, or sesame paste?

I used to buy no brand name black sesame for chinese dessert (like tang yuan) and grind in a coffee grinder but I'm curious to know what do you use.

[liuzhou]

If they are that bitter, I suggest they are way beyond their 'best by' date. They do turn bitter with age.

 

I use reasonably fresh seeds, but I'm in China, where we do get through the things.

 

The local supermarkets have ground black (and white) sesame powder, but I've never bought it.

Edited April 14, 2014 by liuzhou (log)

[Porthos]

I have black sesame seeds that are ok. However, they are out at my faire kitchen so I will have to look at what brand when I go out there on errands tomorrow. I only use it for one dish: sauteed green beans in toasted sesame oil with black sesame seeds so I don't know if my data point will help. I do know they are not bitter.