Something quietly dramatic has been happening in the food world this year.
Searches for black sesame jumped 147% between 2023 and 2025. Black sesame lattes and black sesame coffee are both up 23%. Black sesame desserts climbed 21%. And according to Yelp's 2026 Trend Forecast, black sesame is expected to be everywhere this year.
But while the trend is being driven by cafés and dessert menus, the most interesting version of black sesame isn't a latte or an ice cream — it's black tahini. Simpler, more versatile, and nutritionally in a class of its own.
Here's what's actually behind the trend, and what black tahini does — and doesn't — do for your body.
Why black sesame is having this moment
Black sesame has been used for centuries in East Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines, but now it's being rediscovered through a wellness lens. That combination — ancient ingredient, modern science — is exactly what drives sustained food trends rather than fleeting ones.
The visual appeal matters too. Black sesame gives depth to whatever it touches with a rich nuttiness and slight bitterness, not to mention its striking good looks. In a world of beige wellness foods, something that turns your smoothie bowl dramatically dark while also being good for you is always going to win attention.
But the staying power comes from the nutrition. This isn't a trend built on aesthetics alone.
What black sesame actually is
Black sesame comes from the same plant as white sesame seeds — Sesamum indicum — but the darker seeds are typically unhulled, meaning they retain their outer shell. The difference is that black sesame seeds contain more plant melanin and are typically unhulled, meaning they retain their outer shell.
That hull is where most of the nutritional action happens. Removing it — as is done for white sesame — makes the seed milder and smoother, but takes away a significant portion of the antioxidants, fibre, and minerals in the process.
Black tahini is simply black sesame seeds ground into a paste — the same process as white tahini, but starting from a seed that retains everything its outer layer contains.
The health benefits — what the science actually says
Antioxidants — the real story behind the colour
The pigments known as anthocyanins give black tahini its dark colour. Anthocyanins are known to be antioxidants and may protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. These are the same compounds found in blueberries, acai, and purple cabbage — some of the most studied antioxidant sources in nutrition research.
Beyond anthocyanins, tahini contains antioxidants called lignans — specifically sesamin and sesamolin — which help prevent free radical damage in your body and may reduce your risk of disease. Black sesame's unhulled nature means these lignans are present in higher concentrations than in the white variety.
Minerals — calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc
Black sesame is really high in specific minerals like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium — nutrients important for bone health specifically, but also for cardiovascular health and balanced blood pressure.
Magnesium is an essential mineral on which over 300 enzymatic reactions depend, including the contraction of muscles and the transmission of nerve impulses. Most people eating a modern diet are deficient in magnesium — black tahini is one of the most concentrated and bioavailable sources available in whole food form.
For calcium in particular, black tahini is exceptional. Two tablespoons provides more calcium than a glass of milk — making it genuinely useful for anyone dairy-free, vegan, or managing bone density.
Heart and metabolic health
Both black and white tahini are rich sources of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats — two lipids excellent for maintaining a healthy heart. These fats benefit heart health, and there is evidence that they may also lower LDL cholesterol levels.
A 2025 review of 521 adults published in Nutrition & Metabolic Insights found that consuming about a tablespoon of sesame products daily for eight weeks led to improvements in certain markers such as blood sugar and cholesterol levels. This is modest but meaningful — and a tablespoon a day is genuinely achievable.
Gut health and satiety
Black tahini contains dietary fibre, which is essential for digestive health and can contribute to feelings of fullness, assisting in weight management. Fibre is also necessary for the health of the colon. The unhulled seed retains significantly more fibre than hulled white sesame — another direct benefit of keeping the outer skin intact.
Plant protein
The primary component of tahini is sesame seeds, an excellent source of plant-based protein — making black tahini a beneficial addition to the diet of individuals who are vegetarian or vegan and working to increase their protein intake. Two tablespoons provides approximately 5–6g of protein alongside all the minerals and fats above.
What to be honest about
Black sesame is genuinely nutritious — but it's worth being clear about what the research does and doesn't show.
Most studies are on sesame products broadly, not black tahini specifically. The antioxidant advantage of black over white sesame is well-documented, but the clinical research on black tahini as a standalone intervention is still emerging.
What the evidence does support: black tahini is an exceptionally mineral-dense, antioxidant-rich whole food that fits naturally into a balanced diet. It's not a supplement, it's not a cure — but eaten regularly as part of real food, the cumulative benefits are real.
A note on quality
The trend has brought attention to black sesame — but not all black tahini is made the same way.
Mass-produced versions are often made from imported seeds ground weeks after roasting, with added oil to extend shelf life and improve texture. The antioxidants in sesame degrade quickly once ground — so a black tahini made from stale seeds loses most of what makes it nutritionally interesting.
Sunshine Market's black sesame tahini is stone-ground in-house in Bangkok the same day the seeds are roasted, from locally grown Thai sesame. No added oil. No preservatives. No salt. The oil separation you see at the top of the jar is the sesame's own natural fat — proof that nothing artificial is holding it together. Stir before use, refrigerate after opening.
Where to buy
Available in 200g jars in-store at our Bangkok (Sukhumvit 22) and Chiang Mai (Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center) locations, and online with delivery across Thailand.
→ Shop Black Sesame Tahini: sunshinemarket.co.th/products/black-sesame-tahini-stone-ground-bangkok?_pos=1&_sid=6c537b87b&_ss=r
→ Shop the full tahini range: sunshinemarket.co.th/collections/nuts-seeds-spread
Sunshine Market has been stone-grinding tahini in Bangkok since 2010 — from locally grown Thai sesame seeds, roasted and ground in-house the same day, with nothing added.