Nuts, Seeds & Pastes
Tahini (Sesame Paste) in gelato
Tahini is a paste of ground sesame seeds (typically roasted, hulled), around 55% fat and 17% protein with almost no sugar. In gelato it is a flavor-and-body ingredient that adds fat and total solids while contributing virtually no anti-freezing power.
Balancing parameters
Per 100 g of product, verified against independent food-science sources (listed below).
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Solids | 97% |
| Water | 3% |
| Sugars | 0.5% |
| Fat | 55% |
| MSNF | 0% |
| Protein | 17.5% |
| POD (sweetening power) | 0.5 |
| PAC (anti-freezing power) | 0.5 |
Typical use: 6-12% of the total mix (as the flavoring paste)
Balance tahini (sesame paste) in a real recipe
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Open the balancerHow to use it in gelato
Because tahini contains virtually no sugar, it adds essentially no PAC or POD; it does not lower the freezing point, so you must supply anti-freezing power from your sugar blend to keep the gelato scoopable. Its high fat (~55%) and ground non-fat solids (fiber, protein, minerals) boost total solids, richness, and body while helping suppress iciness. Since it is very fatty, reduce cream or added fats when incorporating it to avoid a greasy, over-fatted, slow-melting base. Roasted tahini also brings a pleasant bitterness that pairs well with honey, halva sugars, or invert syrup.
Origin & background
Tahini has ancient Middle Eastern and Levantine roots, its name derived from the Arabic verb tahana, meaning to grind or crush. Sesame paste is documented as tahina in 13th-century Arabic culinary texts such as the Kitab al-Wusla ila al-Habib, and it remains a staple across the Eastern Mediterranean, forming the base of dishes like hummus and halva.
Frequently asked questions
Sources
- https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-search/?component=1232 (USDA FoodData Central — Seeds, sesame butter, tahini)
- https://www.matvaretabellen.no/en/sesame-paste-tahini/ (Matvaretabellen — Norwegian national food composition table)
- https://tools.myfooddata.com/nutrition-facts/170189/wt1 (USDA SR mirror — Sesame Butter/Tahini)
- https://foodstruct.com/food/tahini (USDA-based composition, sugars & fiber)