Sesame seeds produce a tasty cooking oil rich in nutrients, such as calcium, copper, zinc, iron and magnesium. Sesame oil is also beneficial for skin health thanks to the content of these minerals. To make it at home, you need to toast the sesame seeds until golden and then blend them with a cooking oil of your choice. When the sesame oil comes to the surface, you can bottle it, store it in the refrigerator, and use it to cook whenever you want.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Toasting the Sesame Seeds
Step 1. Use 750g of sesame seeds to make about 250ml of oil
You can increase or decrease the doses based on the seeds you have available and the amount of oil needed.
If you intend to use sesame oil for cooking and caring for your skin, 250ml is a good amount. If you want to make sure you have an abundant supply, you can double or triple the dose of the seeds
Step 2. For an easy option, toast the sesame seeds in the oven at 175 ° C
Spread them on the baking sheet and place them in the center of the oven. After 5 minutes, stir the seeds to keep them from burning. Let them roast in the oven for another 10-15 minutes or until they are evenly browned.
Step 3. Toast the sesame seeds in a pot if you want to make sure they don't burn
Pour them into a medium saucepan and toast them over medium heat for 10-15 minutes. Never stop mixing them with the wooden spoon.
As they heat up, the sesame seeds will release a pleasant fragrance reminiscent of that of toasted hazelnuts
Step 4. Remove the seeds from the heat source when they are evenly browned
Remove the pan from the oven or move the pot to a cold stove and immediately transfer the seeds to a plate. In this way, they will not risk getting burned and will cool down faster.
When the seeds reach a golden color it means that they are toasted to the right point
Step 5. Be careful not to over-toast the seeds
If they turn brown, it means that you have left them in the pot or oven for too long and therefore will not be able to obtain a good quality oil. To avoid this, check the seeds frequently as they roast and remove the pan from the oven or move the pot away from the hot stove as soon as they acquire a golden tinge.
Don't lose heart if the seeds are too roasted or scorched - throw them away and start over
Part 2 of 3: Blend the Sesame Seeds
Step 1. Combine sesame seeds with cooking oil in a ratio of 1: 4
Pour the sesame seeds into a medium or large pot, then add the cooking oil, depending on the amount of sesame seeds. You can use peanut, sunflower, or coconut oil. Its function is to separate the sesame oil from the rest of the seed.
- If you used 750 g of seeds, you will need 3 liters of oil.
- The three oils indicated (peanut, sunflower and coconut) are equally suitable for extracting sesame oil from seeds.
Step 2. Heat the oil and sesame seeds on the stove for about 5 minutes
Stir to distribute the seeds in the oil, then put the pot on the stove and heat the ingredients over medium heat. When hot, the sesame seeds will release more oil.
Step 3. Pour the mixture into the blender
When the oil is hot, turn off the stove and put the blender glass in the sink. Pour the contents of the pot into the glass, trying not to disperse even a drop of oil.
This way, you will be able to separate the sesame oil from the cooking oil
Step 4. Blend the sesame seeds until they are cut into tiny bits
Put the lid on the blender, select a medium speed and blend the ingredients for 1-4 minutes or until the seeds are crushed. When they are completely chopped, you can stop blending.
Thanks to the cooking oil, the blender blades should be able to spin freely. If the seeds act as a hindrance, try mixing them or increasing the speed
Step 5. Let the seeds sit for 45 to 120 minutes
When they are completely crushed, let them rest in the oil without removing them from the blender. The sesame oil will rise to the surface and at that point you will be able to easily separate it from the cooking oil left on the bottom. The rate at which the two oils separate depends on the type of cooking oil you used.
For example, if you used peanut oil, 45 minutes might be enough. If you used sunflower oil instead, it could take up to 2 hours
Part 3 of 3: Separating the Sesame Oil from the Cooking Oil
Step 1. Unless you have used peanut oil, filter the mixture with a muslin cloth
Take a medium-sized bowl, cover it with a muslin cloth and secure it to the edge with string or a rubber band. With this method it will be easier to separate the two oils.
- Using the muslin filter gives you the guarantee that the oil does not contain any fragments of seeds.
- Filter the mixture if you used sunflower, coconut, or any other oil other than peanut oil.
Step 2. If you used peanut oil, let the two oils separate naturally
The separation process changes slightly if you have chosen to use peanut oil. In this case, pour the mixture into a bowl and let it sit for at least 45 minutes. The sesame oil will naturally rise to the surface.
If you used peanut oil, the sesame oil will separate itself from the rest of the ingredients, so you won't need to filter it
Step 3. Transfer the sesame oil to an airtight container using a spoon
If it has been filtered with muslin cloth, simply transfer it to a glass jar or plastic container. If you used peanut oil, gently scoop up the sesame oil that has accumulated on the surface with the spoon and transfer it to a suitable container for storage.
For example, you can use a 1 liter glass jar with an airtight lid
Step 4. Store the sesame oil in the refrigerator to preserve its qualities
If you keep it at room temperature, it will last for about 6-8 months, while if you keep it in the refrigerator it will keep its qualities unaltered for up to 2 years.
