Best way to process raw sesame seeds for tahini?

Question

Hello,
I'm looking for an appliance recommendation that can easily process raw sesame seeds into tahini paste. I can't afford a Vitamix or Blendtec, so am looking in the price range of $100 and under. My first thought was a NutriBullet but I have never seen or heard of anyone making tahini paste out of raw sesame seeds with that. Suggestions welcome, thanks!

Answer

Do you lightly heat the seeds first? And when processing, do you add either some water or oil?

Answer

Do you have a Champion Juicer? Otherwise, the only other way I can think of is to start the process of breaking down the sesame seeds into a crumbly texture by hand first, using a suribachi (a Japanese rough textured mortar), then transfer to a cheap blender like a NutriBullet and add sesame oil (or a milder oil like canola). That should make a pasty mash after enough blending. If not, then you'd need to remove it from the blender and strain it through a sieve or tamis.

Answer

It's not technically an appliance, but you could just use a mortar and pestle. There's a Japanese one, called a suribachi, that works well for that purpose but any of them are fine. Ikea sells a good one for $15, and I've also seen suribachis in the Japanese shops in that price range.

Answer

My Philips blender does a fine job of making peanut butter and tahini. As long as there are sufficient nuts /seeds that is. It cost just about $100. better than any food processor I've tried.

Answer

my method works great for pulverizing those sesame seeds:
1) dry roast until *lightly* browned, usually on a tray in a 350 degree oven for about 10 mins, let cool
2) dry blend/process (pulse helps) until roughly powdered
3) add oil and continue blending.

I've found that if I add oil before dry processing, all the seeds don't get ground (even in my new blendtec).

here's another tip for Tahini sauce - blend/process raw garlic in lemon juice and let sit for about 15 minutes, then add (pre-made) tahini paste - wowza!

Answer

Are there any masticating juicers similar to the Omega juicer in that price range? My Omega is by far the superior (though slower) tool in my kitchen for making any kind of nut butters or similar (compared to the blender or food processor).

Answer

Why not just use a heavy stone mortar and pestle? It's faster, does the best job, and it is traditional? It is easier to clean up, does a better job, it is quicker, and it uses 0 electricity. Something to think about. I'm not suggesting it from some weird hippy point of view, it is just better and faster and easier.

Answer

Making tahini takes time. I have a pretty old food processor - a Cuisinart Deluxe 11 - and here is what I did. Toasted 2 cups of sesame seeds. Put all into the food processor with 2 tablespoons of oil. Processed. Got a consistency of crunchy dust. Added about 2 tablespoons more oil, got a consistency of blobby dust. Added about 1/2 cup water. Serious results. Added enough water that it was a fairly smooth paste and processed for 5-10 minutes on and off. The paste did eventually get smooth. Keep gradually adding water. 

I respectfully disagree about the mortar and pestle being easier for a quantity like this. For a smaller quantity, perhaps.

Answer

Does anyone actually make tahini regularly? Has anyone tried to duplicate the texture of commercial tahini with an Indian chocolate stone grinder? First of all, there is no way you can approach this texture in a food processor without pre-grinding first. What I usually do is grind the seeds in a Braun spice grinder, dump in a bowl and stir the hell out of it. Tastes pretty good, but is NOT Tahini. I've run the seeds thru the processing tube of a $2500 Norwalk juicer with no better results.

So if anyone has actually reproduced commercial tahini successfully, please respond.

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Best way to process raw sesame seeds for tahini?

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