A Surprising Tahini Thickener | Cook's Illustrated (2024)

FAQs

A Surprising Tahini Thickener | Cook's Illustrated? ›

To thicken the tahini and give it some holding power, the solution is a bit surprising: We stirred in 2 teaspoons of juice. You'd think that adding a liquid would thin tahini rather than thicken it.

If your tahini is dry, or if you prefer a thinner sauce, add more water, as needed, to reach your desired consistency. Then, taste and adjust your seasonings. If you prefer a brighter sauce, add more lemon. If it is too bitter, stir in 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup or honey.

Whisk cold water into the tahini to loosen it.

The water will cause the tahini to clump together at first, but these clumps will disappear as you add more water. Continue to add spoonfuls of water until the tahini is as thin as you want it. Keep in mind that the tahini may lose some of its flavor if you thin it a lot.

We recommend storing your tahini in a cool and dry area, away from heat and moisture. Ideally, a pantry a cabinet would be ideal. Like peanut butter, you can also store tahini in the refrigerator if you like it thicker.

Tahini is a thick paste made from ground sesame seeds. Sesame seeds are very high in oil — it makes up about half their weight. Some brands contain additional oil, salt, or other ingredients.

But tahini has a thin consistency, which means that it won't stay put on the moist, slick surface of a fish fillet. To thicken the tahini and give it some holding power, the solution is a bit surprising: We stirred in 2 teaspoons of juice. You'd think that adding a liquid would thin tahini rather than thicken it.

Adding a few tablespoons of mild-tasting oil is helpful.

This helps the tahini become more smooth, creamy, and drippy.

Protein and Acid Interaction: Sesame seeds are rich in proteins, and when these proteins come into contact with an acid (like lemon juice), they can thicken or clump together.

You can balance bitterness of tahini by using other ingredients with complementary flavors. Some popular options include lemon juice, garlic, honey, and maple syrup.

But how can you tell if it's spoiled? “Use your eyes and your nose first,” Zitelman says. “So if it looks different or if it smells different, then it probably is different.” Luckily, tahini is less prone to rancidity than sesame oil, although the reasons for that are not entirely clear.

How do you keep tahini from clumping? ›

First, make sure that the tahini is at least room temperature and that any oil that has separated out is mixed back in well. Another idea to try is to change your mixing method if possible. Switch to a stick blender or mini chopper where possible.

Tahini seizes when mixed with liquids such as must-have fresh lemon juice. In cooking, seizing means the smooth liquid (tahini, or melted chocolate) gets stiff and clumpy.

They're both healthy, dietitians say. Tahini is lower in carbohydrates and sugars than peanut butter is making it a better choice for people who follow low-carb diets, Politi notes. Both foods are predominantly fat, though peanut butter has a little more protein, Young adds.

Eating tahini may help to protect the liver and kidneys, both of which are essential for removing toxins and waste from the body. 9 10 A 2018 study found that diabetic participants who consumed sesame oil every day for 90 days, resulted in improved liver and kidney function.

Tahini also has selenium. It acts as an antioxidant and helps lower inflammation in the body. Studies show sesamol, a natural chemical found in sesame seeds and sesame oil, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging benefits.

The cold will cause the tahini to thicken and then you'd need to let it come to room temperature to return it to its proper consistency, or put it in hot water to warm it up, which could run the risk of adding water to the tahini and reducing its shelf life.

For a thinner/spreadable texture, just add half to one tablespoon of water. You can also use raw black sesame seeds. Simply toast them a little bit longer.

A: It may become watery due to over-blending or adding too much liquid. Balancing ingredients is key. Q: How can I thicken tahini sauce that's too runny? A: Gradually add more tahini paste and whisk until the desired consistency is reached.