Cooking Oils · Sesame oil
Sesame oil: two kinds, two uses
Light or toasted , sesame oil comes in two very different forms. We explain which is for the wok and which is for seasoning.
The two kinds
What it is
A staple of Asian cuisine
Sesame oil is pressed from sesame seeds. It is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and central to many Asian dishes. The big difference is whether the seeds were toasted before pressing.
That decides taste, colour and how you use it.
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Light vs toasted
- Light sesame oil: mild, pale, takes medium heat , suitable for the wok and stir-frying.
- Toasted (dark) sesame oil: intense, nutty, a seasoning oil , added at the end, not heated strongly.
- Dose toasted oil sparingly: a few drops are enough.
- Store cool & dark: the polyunsaturated oil is sensitive.
Said honestly
Sesame oil is a flavourful, versatile oil, but as a polyunsaturated oil it is heat-sensitive , the toasted version especially belongs at the end of cooking, not in deep-frying. We make no health promises. Use light for the pan, toasted for seasoning. We give you the facts, the decision stays with you.
Sources and further reading
- Sesame oil , Wikipedia