Tahini has become a staple ingredient in kitchens across the UK, thanks to its rich flavour, versatility and nutritional value. Whether you enjoy homemade hummus, vibrant salad dressings or roasted vegetables, sesame tahini paste adds a creamy, nutty depth to countless recipes.
If you've ever wondered What is tahini, how to use it or which variety to choose, this guide covers everything you need to know. From delicious recipe ideas to practical buying tips, you'll discover why sesame seed paste deserves a place in your pantry.
Tahini is a smooth paste made from ground, hulled sesame seeds. It originates from the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean, where it's been a pantry essential for centuries.
Unlike sesame oil, tahini retains the seed's full texture and nutrients, giving it a thick, buttery consistency. Authentic Middle Eastern tahini is typically made using just one ingredient: sesame seeds.
Good-quality sesame tahini paste should be pourable, light in colour, and free from a bitter aftertaste. If your jar is thick, gritty, or overly dark, it may be lower quality or made from unhulled seeds roasted at high temperatures.
One of the biggest reasons tahini has gained popularity is its ability to enhance everyday meals without requiring complicated preparation.
A spoonful of creamy tahini can transform a simple salad into a satisfying lunch or add depth to roasted vegetables and grilled meats. It blends effortlessly with lemon juice, garlic and herbs, making it an excellent base for dips and dressings.
Its balanced flavour pairs beautifully with chickpeas, aubergines, cauliflower, chicken, lamb and falafel, making it one of the most versatile ingredients in modern kitchens.
Beyond its rich, nutty flavour, tahini brings genuine nutritional value to your plate.
Rich in healthy fats – Contains unsaturated fats that support heart health
Good source of plant protein – A useful addition to vegan and vegetarian diets
Packed with minerals – Offers calcium, iron, magnesium, and zinc
Contains antioxidants – Sesame seeds provide lignans, linked to reduced inflammation
Naturally dairy-free and gluten-free – Suitable for various dietary needs
| Nutrient | Amount |
| Calories | 595 kcal |
| Protein | 17g |
| Fat | 54g |
| Carbohydrates | 21g |
| Fibre | 9g |
| Calcium | 420mg |
| Iron | 9mg |
Values vary slightly by brand and seed sourcing.
Many people ask How to use tahini beyond making hummus. Fortunately, there are countless ways to enjoy this versatile ingredient.
Here are some of the best ideas:
The most famous use is preparing classic hummus.
If you're wondering How to make hummus with tahini, simply blend chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil and a little water until smooth. The tahini creates the signature creamy texture and rich flavour that makes hummus so popular.
Mix creamy tahini with lemon juice, garlic, olive oil and water to create a silky dressing for salads, grain bowls and roasted vegetables.
Use sesame tahini paste as a base for marinades by combining it with garlic, spices and herbs. It works particularly well with chicken, lamb and roasted cauliflower.
Tahini blends beautifully with yoghurt, herbs or roasted peppers to create flavourful dips for vegetables and flatbreads.
Many home bakers now add sesame seed paste to brownies, cookies and cakes for a subtle nutty flavour.
Here are a few simple ways to bring creamy tahini into your everyday cooking.
1. Tahini Salad Dressing Whisk 2 tbsp tahini, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 crushed garlic clove, and 3–4 tbsp warm water until smooth. Season with salt to taste.
2. Honey Tahini Toast Spread tahini generously on warm toast, drizzle with honey, and finish with a pinch of sea salt.
3. Tahini Chocolate Energy Balls Combine tahini, dates, cocoa powder, and oats in a food processor. Roll into balls and chill for 30 minutes.
4. Roasted Vegetable Tahini Bowl Roast your favourite vegetables, then finish with a generous drizzle of thinned tahini and a squeeze of lemon.
Not all tahini performs equally well in hummus. The best tahini for hummus is typically:
Made from hulled sesame seeds for a smoother finish
Light golden in colour, not dark or bitter
Pourable straight from the jar, without excessive separation
Free from additives, stabilisers, or added sugar
A single-ingredient sesame seed paste will almost always give you the silkiest, most authentic-tasting hummus.
With so many jars on supermarket shelves, choosing the best tahini paste UK shoppers can rely on comes down to a few key factors.
Ingredients list – Look for 100% sesame seeds, nothing else
Colour and texture – Pale, smooth, and pourable is a good sign
Sourcing – Authentic Middle Eastern tahini often uses traditional stone-ground methods
Packaging – Glass jars help preserve flavour and reduce plastic waste
Taste test – Good tahini should taste nutty and smooth, never bitter or gritty
If you're looking to buy tahini paste online, checking reviews and ingredient transparency will save you from disappointing, overly bitter jars.
| Feature | Tahini | Peanut Butter |
| Made from | Sesame seeds | Peanuts |
| Allergen | Sesame allergy | Nut allergy |
| Flavour | Nutty, slightly bitter | Sweet, roasted |
| Calcium | High | Low |
| Common use | Hummus, dressings, dips | Spreads, baking, smoothies |
| Texture | Thinner, pourable | Thicker, sticky |
Both are nutritious, but tahini offers a different mineral profile and works particularly well in savoury Middle Eastern dishes.
If you'd rather skip the guesswork, Zest & Zing's tahini is made using traditional stone-ground methods with hulled sesame seeds for a smooth, creamy texture.
It's crafted with authenticity in mind, staying true to how Middle Eastern tahini has been made for generations, without unnecessary additives.
For home cooks who want reliably creamy tahini for hummus, dressings, or baking, it's a straightforward, trustworthy choice.
Tahini is far more than a hummus ingredient; it's a versatile, nutrient-rich staple worth keeping in every kitchen. From dressings to desserts, its creamy texture and nutty flavour elevate everyday cooking with minimal effort.
If you're ready to buy tahini paste that's authentic, smooth, and made with care, explore Zest & Zing's Spice today and taste the difference for yourself.
Yes, tahini is rich in healthy fats, plant protein, and minerals like calcium and iron, making it a nutritious addition to most diets.
Yes, though the flavour differs. Tahini is nuttier and less sweet, so it works particularly well in savoury dishes.
Yes. Tahini is simply another name for sesame seed paste, traditionally made from ground sesame seeds.
If you're wondering How to use tahini, try adding it to dressings, sandwiches, grain bowls, roasted vegetables or homemade dips.
To learn How to make hummus with tahini, blend chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil and a little water until smooth.
You can Buy tahini paste from specialist food retailers, gourmet food shops and trusted online stores offering premium pantry ingredients.
