Sesame seeds are tiny, oil-rich edible seeds that are ensconced within small pods. It is about 2mm wide and 3-4mm long. The aroma and taste of the seed are mild and nutlike. Sesame seeds comes in many colors depending on region of cultivation and harvest. The most traded variety is off white colored. Other common color are black, gray, brown, gold, tan and buff.

Nigeria ranked fourth in world production of sesame seeds in 2019 with 588,334 metric tons.  Myanmar is the world largest producer with 785,038 metric tons, followed by India and Tanzania. The world production is over 7 million metric tons yearly.

In Nigeria, cultivation of sesame seeds is between the months of March/April to middle of July/August. And harvesting is from August to November depending on rain and sowing. However, at Acme Global Merchants Ltd, our export delivery is throughout the year.

Types of Sesame Seeds

1. Unhulled Sesame Seeds: Are sesame seeds that have the outer, edible husk or hull intact. It usually has a crunchy and slightly bitter taste because of the husk when eaten. And it comes in variety of colors like white, brown, black or gold. Our sesame seeds export from Nigeria are majorly the unhulled seeds.

2. Hulled Sesame Seeds: Are sesame seeds that have had the husk or hull removed during processing. It has a milder flavor that is nuttier than it is bitter. And it also comes in varieties of colors like black, brown or white.