any tahini experts here? (or just people who like it?)

[ChessieMom]

Originally Posted by vision33r

Real hummus should not have tahini, it's a substitute. If you go to certain eatries that serve fresh hummus it is 100% chickpeas.

The difference is that fresh hummus is not as creamy, it's silkier and runnier. But the taste is much stronger and potent.

The hummus you get at the supermarkets have too much tahini which makes it tastes like a peanut butter in consistency.

Sample the real thing and it'll be hard to buy any hummus that's not 100% chickpeas.

Huh? Tahini is nothing more than ground sesame seeds, and it definitely IS a normal ingredient in hummus, along with chickpeas.

[rent.in.nyc]

Originally Posted by KittenSparkles

I recently had a craving for tahini. I recall eating it years ago when I worked at a vegetarian restaurants, but haven't had it for years (except when its mixed in hummus).

I thought I would try to make some myself. I read a bunch of recipes on-line, then tried it. But it was super bitter! I figured that the sesame seeds I bought from the bulk bins had gone rancid (they sat in my cupboard for months before I used them).

So today I bought a jar from Whole Foods. And guess what? Its bitter!! The aftertaste is just completely bitter. I tasted it straight from the jar, and then I mixed it with olive oil, lemon, garlic, salt and pepper to make a salad dressing. I even added a bit of honey. Still bitter!

The expiration date is in 2018. I don't think WH would be selling rancid products... but now I don't know.

Maybe WH is just a cheap brand, and I need to buy a higher quality version of the stuff?

Before I return it, I thought I would try to see what others thought. I haven't eaten this stuff by itself for easily 15 years, so maybe I am just not remembering what it tastes like.

Did it have olive oil on top to keep the tahini to go rancid? Olive oil pressed from green olives is often bitter, like the green olives themseves.

[kinkytoes]

I haven't had it in a while, but I like it. Yes plain does taste bitter. I used to make a really good sauce called tahina. You mix the tahini with some garlic and lemon juice like one other poster listed. It is delish. It makes a good dip for falafel, and tastes good by itself. I just mixed it to my taste, but here is a recipe: Tahini Sauce - How to Make Middle Eastern Tahini Sauce

You can also use tahini to make an arabic dessert called helva. Actually who am I kidding, I never made this. You can buy big tubs of it and it is made from tahini. Chok full of calories, but oh so delicious. LEBANESE RECIPES: Sesame or tahini halva recipe - How to make sesame or tahini halva
Tahini / Halva | Buy Online at Persian Basket

[Gilah G.]

I only use tahini to make babaganoush.
I once read using tahini to polish wood furniture and floors is a good thing.