What is Tahini?
Grinding sesame seeds into a smooth paste makes the best brand of tahini. Sometimes the sesame seeds are either hulled or not; also, they can be roasted or raw. Tahini is great for making sauces, halva, snack nibbles, stuffed dates, and other meals.
Tahini has an earthy, slightly bitter flavor. Although the spread resembles peanut butter, it is not as sweet. Toasted sesame seeds are a rich ingredient in tahini.
Our Favorite Revealed
Even though all the best tahini brands come from sesame seeds, they never have the same taste and flavor. Despite our taste preferences differing from person to person, it isn’t easy to single out a certain brand as being the best-tasting tahini.
However, Baron's USDA Organic Tahini Pure Sesame Paste is undoubtedly the best and stands out. Comparing its stirability, taste, and its texture, you will most likely find no match to it. In addition to that, it is also organic, vegan-friendly, and unsalted. These attributes make it our favorite brand.
Benefits of Tahini
Incredibly Nutritious
Tahini is high in good fats, vitamins, and minerals. Tahini is high in phosphorus and manganese, both essential for bone health. It’s also high in thiamine B1 and vitamin B6, which help with energy generation.
Plentiful Antioxidants
Tahini includes lignans, antioxidants that help prevent free radical damage in your body and can lower the risk of certain diseases.
It May Reduce the Risk of Some Diseases
Sesame seeds reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
It May Have Antibacterial Properties
Tahini and sesame seeds may have antibacterial qualities due to their high levels of antioxidants.
It Can Contain Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Tahini has anti-inflammatory agents. While short-term inflammation is a typical and healthy response to injury, prolonged inflammation can harm your health.
It May Help to Strengthen Your Central Nervous System
Tahini includes elements that may benefit brain function and lower your risk of acquiring neurodegenerative disorders such as dementia. Sesame seed components undergo test-tube research to protect the human brain and nerve cells from free radical damage.
Furthermore, one animal study suggests that sesame antioxidants may aid in the prevention of beta-amyloid plaque formation in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.
Offers Anti-Cancer Effects
The study of sesame seeds is for their anti-cancer properties. Laboratory experiments have demonstrated that sesame seed antioxidants promote the death of colon, lung, liver, and breast cancer cells.
It Helps in the Protection of Liver and Renal Function
Tahini contains properties that may aid in protecting your liver and kidneys. These organs are in charge of eliminating poisons and waste from your body.
Simple to Include in Your Diet
Tahini is simple to incorporate into your diet. It is available online and at most grocery stores. It’s widely known as a hummus ingredient but works excellent as a standalone spread or dip for pita bread, meat, and veggies. It’s also great for dips, salad dressings, and baked goods.
A Glance at Our Picks
| Product name | Best for case | Rating out of five |
| Baron's USDA Organic Tahini Pure Sesame Paste | Best overall | Stirability: 4.9 Taste: 4.8 Texture: 4.9 |
| No products found. | Best non-dairy tahini | Stirability 4.8 Taste 4.6 Texture 4.7 |
| Okka Organic Ground Sesame Tahini | Best organic tahini | Stirability 4.6 Taste 4.7 Texture 4.4 |
| 365 by Whole Foods Market, Organic Nut Butter, Tahini | Best non-GMO tahini | Stirability 4.6 Taste 4.8 Texture 4.7 |
| Trader Joe’s Organic Tahini Nut Butter | Best gluten-free tahini | Stirability 4.7 Taste 4.6 Texture 4.5 |
| Organic Stone-Ground Whole Sesame Tahini Paste | Best unhulled tahini | Stirability 4.5 Taste 4.8 Texture 4.7 |
| No products found. | Best hulled tahini | Stirability 4.8 Taste 4.4 Texture 4.7 |
| Haddar by Baracke 100% Pure Ground Sesame Tahini | Best vegan tahini | Stirability 4.7 Taste 4.6 Texture 4.8 |
| No products found. | Best natural tahini | Stirability 4.7 Taste 4.6 Texture 4.4 |
| MID EAST SESAME SPREAD TAHINI PLASTIC JAR | Best unsalted tahini | Stirability 4.4 Taste 4.5 Texture 4.7 |
| Al Kanater, Tahini Sesame Paste | Best creamy tahini | Stirability 4.4 Taste 4.7 Texture 4.6 |
| Ziyad Brand Tahini Sesame Paste | Best non-preservative tahini | Stirability 4.3 Taste 4.7 Texture 4.3 |
Tahini Brands Reviewed That is to Die For!
Baron's USDA Organic Tahini Pure Sesame Paste: Best Overall
Amazon Choice Award in Hummus by Baron’s
Brand: Baron’s
Flavor: Sesame
Diet type: Vegan, kosher
Weight: 16 ounces (453.6 grams)
Package info: Jar
Overall thoughts: We love how easy it is to stir and how creamy it is, and the flavor is pretty delicious.
Hulled or unhulled: Hulled
Allergen info: Gluten-free and dairy-free
Product origin: USA
Item form: Paste
About This Product
This 100% natural, unadulterated tahini paste completes the USDA’s organic requirements. The criteria of the national organic program for handling and processing organically farmed sesame seeds are always in check throughout the processes.
Baron’s USDA Organic Tahini Pure Sesame Paste has a very low level, if any, of bitterness that you will typically find in pastes of this kind. Because of its well-blended texture and thinner-than-typical consistency, it is significantly simpler to use.
The tahini paste sold by the Baron’s brand has a texture that is so silky smooth. This is an ideal foundation for recipes such as creamy hummus, exquisite dips, butter, salad dressings, and a wide variety of main dishes and desserts.
This paste is an excellent source of healthful vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, fiber, and antioxidants; it is kosher-friendly, suitable for the ketogenic diet, allowed by the paleo diet, vegan-friendly, gluten-free, and dairy-free. It works wonderfully for oven-prepared dishes, in protein bowls, and in smoothies.
No products found.: Best Non-Dairy Tahini
No products found.
Brand: Soom
Weight: 16 ounces (453.6 grams)
Diet type: Paleo, vegan
Package info: Jar
Overall thoughts: The taste is perfect.
Hulled or unhulled: Hulled
Allergen info: Dairy-free, gluten-free, peanut-free,
Product origin: Israel
Item form: Paste
About This Product
Soom Foods Pure Ground Sesame Tahini is a paste extensively utilized in the Middle East and Mediterranean cuisines. It comes from roasted and crushed sesame seeds. It has seen widespread use in health-conscious cooking styles in recent years.
It contains a lot of protein, is low in carbs, and high in omega-3 and -6 fatty acids. This tahini paste comes from a single source of white humera sesame seeds from Ethiopia. Professional and amateur cooks highly respect it as a premium and versatile ingredient for savory and sweet dishes.
Okka Organic Ground Sesame Tahini: Best Organic Tahini
Brand: Okka
Flavor: Sesame
Weight: 1.1 pounds (0.5 kilograms)
Package info: Jar
Overall thoughts: The flavor tastes a little saltier (despite having no salt in it).
Hulled or unhulled: Hulled
Ingredient quality: Organic
Product origin: Turkey
Item form: Paste
About This Product
Okka Organic Ground Sesame Tahini is typically crafted from ground sesame seeds and has a smooth, creamy texture. Additionally, it is non-genetically modified and appropriate for vegetarians. It is an important ingredient in dishes and recipes from the Middle East, such as hummus.
You can use this tahini product as a salad spread or mix it with various seasonings to make a delectable dip or salad dressing. Some examples of these seasonings are garlic and onion or cayenne pepper.
This tahini brand has a combination that is consistent throughout. For a healthy and balanced diet, opt for this tahini, whose quality is guaranteed.
Calcium, iron, dietary fiber, and protein are all abundant in this paste. It is unnecessary to refrigerate this product. But, a cold pantry is a good location to keep it for extended periods. After opening the jar, store it in a cool, dry spot that is out of the way of any heat source and away from direct sunlight.
You may need to put it in the refrigerator to keep it cool if you do not have access to a cool area (for example, during summer when there is no air conditioning in your home).
It is best to let this tahini paste warm up before using it because it can become hard. And before you use it, give it a good swirl to ensure that the oil at the top mixes evenly.
365 by Whole Foods Market, Organic Nut Butter, Tahini: Best Non-GMO Tahini
Brand: 365 by Whole Foods Market
Diet type: Vegan, kosher, vegan
Weight: 1.14 pounds (0.52 kilograms)
Package info: Jar
Overall thoughts: The taste is nice, easy to stir, and has a nice creamy texture.
Hulled or unhulled: Hulled
Ingredient quality: Organic, non-GMO
Product origin: Israel
Item form: Butter/spread
About This Product
The 365 Whole Foods Market, Organic Nut Butter, Tahini brand, has a high standard that will provide you with the finest natural and organic butter.
This brand knows you care about cooking with the best ingredients without compromising on the ingredients you don’t want. The product’s packaging is up to date to give it a modern design.
Trader Joe’s Organic Tahini Nut Butter: Best Gluten-Free Tahini
Brand: Trader Joe’s
Weight: 10.6 ounces (300 grams)
Package info: Jar
Overall thoughts: Fresh, high-quality, really pleasant tasting. The only complaint is we wish it were a little more smooth and creamy.
Hulled or unhulled: Hulled
Product origin: USA
Item form: Butter/spread
About This Product
Trader Joe’s Organic Tahini Nut Butter has a lovely nutty flavor with a smooth and creamy texture. You can eat it with a spoon straight out of the jar. And the texture and flavor are out of this world.
You can use it in salads, falafel, or salad dressing by adding garlic and lemon. Because pulverized hulled, organic sesame seeds are one ingredient in this butter; this product has an exceptionally high nutrient density.
Since it has such a decadent texture and flavor, eating it seems like a true indulgence; nonetheless, the price of this tahini, with its exceptionally high quality, is not unreasonable at all.
Organic Stone-Ground Whole Sesame Tahini Paste: Best Unhulled Tahini
Brand: Pepperwood organics
Flavor: Sesame
Diet type: Vegan
Weight: 1.9 pounds (0.86 kilograms)
Package info: Jar
Overall thoughts: Nice flavor, but it could be slightly less bitter and more creamy.
Hulled or unhulled: Unhulled
Allergen info: Gluten-free, tree nut-free
Product origin: Ethiopia
Item form: Spread/butter
About This Product
Organic Stone-Ground Whole Sesame Tahini Paste is 100% stone-ground unhulled sesame tahini butter. A good source of calcium, iron, copper, manganese, phosphorus, thiamin, protein, magnesium, potassium, selenium, fiber, tryptophan, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, folic acid, omega-3 fatty acids, and -6 fatty acids.
When making hummus and baba ghanoush, this paste is the perfect ingredient. It is versatile enough to consume independently, whipped into a dip, blended into a smoothie, spread on toast, or drizzled over virtually anything else.
It is made from organic tahini approved by the USDA.
No products found.: Best Hulled Tahini
No products found.
Brand: Al Arz
Flavor: Sesame
Weight: 16 ounces (453.6 grams)
Package info: Jar
Overall thoughts: Everything was pretty great, but the flavor can be improved.
Hulled or unhulled: Hulled
Ingredient quality: 100% Sesame Seeds
Allergen info: Gluten-free
Product origin: Israel
Item form: Paste
About This Product
Al Arz 100% Pure Sesame Tahini is a classic spread from Isreal, is made from finely mashed sesame seeds. It has a consistency and color similar to hummus, and you can serve the two as a dip for pita or vegetables.
In addition, there is no need to refrigerate the product as it has a shelf life of a whole year. The method of processing that you use does not include the use of any chemicals, and each step of the process is in such a manner as to reduce the amount of heat and friction that you expose the sesame seeds to.
One example of the creative industrial design that protects the seed’s aroma and sweetness is using a gentle salt-water bath rather than machine arms to separate the husk from the seed. This results in a flavor indisputably traditional and reminiscent of handmade food.
Haddar by Baracke 100% Pure Ground Sesame Tahini: Best Vegan Tahini
Brand: Haddar
Flavor: Sesame
Diet type: Kosher-certified
Weight: 15.9 ounces (450.8 grams)
Package info: Jar
Overall thoughts: Really good flavor, really bad texture.
Hulled or unhulled: Hulled
Ingredient quality: Only the finest Ethiopian sesame seeds
Allergen info: Gluten-free,
Product origin: USA
Item form: Paste
About This Product
Haddar by Baracke 100% Pure Ground Sesame Tahini was prepared with only the finest ingredients. Additionally, it is creamy and tastes great even without adding any spices!
It’s yummy as a topping on your favorite salad or dish. Its ingredients are roasted, peeled sesame seeds that are 100% natural.
No products found.: Best Natural
No products found.
Brand: Joyva
Diet type: Gluten-free, kosher
Weight: 4.9 ounces (138.9 grams)
Package info: Tin
Overall thoughts: It is versatile and delicious.
Hulled or unhulled: Hulled
Ingredient quality: 100% roasted crushed sesame seeds
Allergen info: Dairy-free
Product origin: USA
Item form: Paste
About This Product
Cooking, baking, spreading, dripping, or even just eating by the spoonful, Joyva Tahini is versatile and delicious. It works wonderfully as a salad dressing, blended with hummus, a dessert topping, and many other applications!
Because of its one-of-a-kind combination, this brand of tahini is an excellent complement to recipes with sweet and salty components. In addition to this, it is free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Besides, it is natural and free of cholesterol.
The ketogenic diet and the paleo diet find this tahini to be an excellent option in their diet plans, made from materials of the highest quality.
MID EAST SESAME SPREAD TAHINI PLASTIC JAR: Best Unsalted Tahini
Brand: Mid East
Flavor: Sesame
Diet type: Gluten-free
Weight: 32 ounces (907.2 grams)
Package info: Jar
Overall thoughts: It always stays smooth.
Hulled or unhulled: Hulled
Ingredient quality: Kosher, vegan, unsalted ground seeds
Allergen info: USDA organic Tahini pure sesame paste
Product origin: Mexico
Item form: Paste
About This Product
Mid East Sesame Spread is made from three primary ingredients, which are hulled sesame seeds, oil, and salt.
To generate a seed butter that is smooth, creamy, and has a consistency that is suitable for pouring, you typically toast sesame seeds, then crush them, and finally emulsify them with oil. Furthermore, this product contains no additives, salt, or preservatives.
Al Kanater, Tahini Sesame Paste: Best Creamy
Amazon Choice Award for Tahini Lebanon
Brand: Al Kanater
Flavor: Sesame
Diet type: Organic
Weight: 32 ounces (907.2 grams)
Package info: Jar
Overall thoughts: We love how easy it is to stir and how creamy it is,
Hulled or unhulled: Hulled
Ingredient quality: All natural
Allergen info: 100% ground sesame seeds
Product origin: Lebanon
Item form: Paste
About This Product
Al Kanater, Tahini Sesame Paste, is made from ground sesame seeds cultivated in Lebanon. Consumption of it in its natural state, as tahini sauce, or as an integral component of eastern cooking are all viable options.
It works wonderfully as an ingredient in various recipes, including Halawa, hummus, moutabal, sauces, dressings, marinades, and even desserts, whether its preparation is in a commercial kitchen or at home. If you have an allergy to sesame seeds, it is best not to consume this tahini brand.
This sesame paste is a well-known tahini brand that has been in business for many years and produces tahini made from 100% ground sesame seeds and sold in every region of the world.
Ziyad Brand Tahini Sesame Paste: Best Non-Preservative Tahini
Amazon Choice Award in Sesame Seeds by Ziyad
Brand: Ziyad
Flavor: Sesame, tahini
Weight: 16 ounces (907.2 grams)
Package info: Jar
Overall thoughts: Tasty flavor
Hulled or unhulled: Hulled
Product origin: USA
Item form: Paste
About This Product
Ziyad Brand Tahini Sesame Paste guarantees superiority in flavor and practicality. This is a product that both you and your loved ones will take pleasure in using. This tahini, sold under the Ziyad brand name, is a nutrient-rich seed paste. Because it contains anti-inflammatory ingredients, it may lower the likelihood that you may get certain diseases.
Moreover, it helps protect the function of the kidneys and liver. Likewise, it is an excellent protein and fiber source rich in phosphorus, manganese, and vitamin B6. In addition to this, it is rich in monounsaturated fats and the amino acids that your body needs.
Moreover, it contains a high level of antioxidants. Tahini, made by the Ziyad brand, is a delightful combination of toasted sesame seeds that is silky smooth and velvety creamy.
Why you Should Trust us
We are not just any other blog out there that puts information to the public for the sake of it. Our findings undergo a thorough and highly supervised process to arrive at informed conclusions. Our carefully assembled group of experts gives every brand equal opportunity without discrimination or being biased in any way.
We carry out each process and analyze all the results to give a reliable conclusion. Our findings are factual, you can fact-find to prove them, and you will discover they are always objective. This, therefore, leaves you with no aorta of doubt in whatever we put across out there.
The Proud Italian’s Selection Process
Although you only require one component to make tahini (sesame seeds), not all varieties are delicious in the same way. So, we made the decision to compare a few different products! We conducted an in-depth, head-to-head comparison of several of the most well-known brands of tahini currently available on the market.
We wanted to save you the time and effort of conducting the research yourself by determining which products lived up to their claims regarding taste, consistency, and ability to stir them, as well as which ones were not worth the hype.
We tested 12 tahini brands. Some were from various health food stores, while others were via the online retailer Amazon (for accessibility). This review is in no way subsidized by the company under discussion.
We had no interaction with these companies; thus, none provided us with free merchandise or paid us for the reviews we wrote. We did not consider purchasing any items containing other ingredients besides sesame seeds.
During the reviewing process, we made an effort to be as impartial and objective as possible.
We tested each tahini by the spoonful, grading on a scale of 1-5 (1 being poor, 5 being excellent) on the:
- Stirability
- Taste
- Texture
- Overall thoughts
For consumer awareness, we also examined the following:
- Cost per ounce (US $) — subject to variability
- Hulled or unhulled
- Glass or plastic jar (and whether BPA-free)
- Quality of ingredients (i.e., organic, non-GMO, etc.)
- If we would repurchase
Some Reader Questions Answered
Where Can I Buy Tahini?
Wondering where to buy tahini? You can purchase your favorite brand of tahini in-store from your local supplier, as it is available globally. Alternatively, you can buy tahini online from Amazon or any other trusted website you can access.
Where is Tahini in the Grocery Store?
As a result of the meteoric rise in the popularity of hummus and other cuisines from around the world, you can now find tahini paste in most supermarkets. Begin by going to the condiments section, and work your way around the shelves. The store’s section specializing in international cuisine might also be a good place to look.
Because there is no universally-accepted standard for placing tahini in a store’s inventory, each retailer will stock the tahini exactly where they have the most available space and where it makes the most sense for them.
If you are having trouble locating tahini at your local grocery store, all you need to do is ask, and someone will gladly direct you to the appropriate direction.
It’s possible that more local grocery stores won’t carry it. If you have the time to wait for delivery, you can save the hassle of searching for tahini at the grocery store by purchasing the paste from one of the many online stores that stock it.
Where Does Tahini Come From?
Much of what you will find in grocery shops is a combination of sesame from dozens of places. These locations will likely include India (the world’s largest producer and exporter of sesame seeds), China, and Sudan (two other major producers).
Ethiopia is home to white humera sesame seeds, which yield tahini with an incomparably rich flavor. White humera sesame thrives in Ethiopia’s volcanic soil and sunny climate, and the seeds are still painstakingly collected by hand.
First, you soak in water the sesame seeds used to make tahini, then crush them to separate the bran from the kernels of the seed. After crushing the seeds, you steep them in salt water, which causes the bran to sink to the bottom. The oily paste removes the kernels that float to the surface, toasting and grinding them.
To make tahini, you grind sesame seeds into a paste using a coffee grinder. Sometimes you may roast the sesame seeds, and other times you may eat them raw. Sometimes you may find hulled sesame seeds; other times, you may not.
Final Words
Knowing all the information about tahini, you have no reason not to include it in your meals or recipes in the future. As you have noticed, there are wide varieties of tahini brands to select from, but we recommend going for Baron's USDA Organic Tahini Pure Sesame Paste.
In conclusion, purchasing this high-quality brand of tahini can provide a wealth of benefits. Not only is this tahini a versatile element, but it’s delicious and can be used in a variety of recipes.
It will be handy and will provide just the required outcome you wish for.
When selecting a brand of tahini, it is important to consider factors such as quality, taste, and purity. Look for brands that use only high-quality, natural ingredients and avoid those that contain additives or preservatives. By choosing a trusted brand of tahini, you can enjoy the many benefits of this nutritious and flavorful ingredient in your cooking and meals.
What are you waiting for? Get out there and grab it from your nearest store.
Community of passionate writers and content creators who share a love for Italian heritage, culture, travel, food, and the Italian-American community. Our mission is to celebrate Italy’s rich history and traditions and connect with others who share the same passion.
