How To Make Homemade Black Sesame Paste (TCM Superfood)
This sweet black sesame paste is rich, silky, and packed with flavor, but beyond its dramatic color and bold taste, black sesame has been treasured for centuries for its wellness benefits.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), black sesame seeds have long been associated with nourishing the body, supporting longevity, and promoting overall vitality. They’re often used in tonics, desserts, and congee for their believed ability to support healthy hair, skin, and kidney function.
Whether you’re here for the flavor or the functional benefits, this paste is a beautiful way to incorporate this ancient superfood into your every day recipes.
Why Black Sesame Is Popular In TCM
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, black sesame seeds are considered a deeply nourishing, longevity-supporting food. For centuries, they’ve been used not just for flavor, but for vitality.
Here’s why they’re so revered:
• Nourishes Liver & Kidneys
In TCM, these organs are linked to energy, aging, and overall life force (Jing). Black sesame is traditionally used to replenish and strengthen the body at a foundational level.
• Supports Hair & Longevity
Black sesame is famously associated with healthy hair and maintaining natural hair color. In TCM theory, strong kidney energy supports thick, vibrant hair.
• Builds Blood & Yin
Often recommended for dryness and low energy, black sesame is considered a blood- and yin-tonifying food, aligning beautifully with its rich healthy fat and mineral content.
• Warming & Grounding
Its slightly warming nature makes it especially supportive during colder months or times of depletion.
How To Use Black Sesame Paste
Everyday Easy
- Swirled into oatmeal or overnight oats: adds nuttiness and makes your breakfast feel way more elevated
- Stirred into yogurt with a drizzle of honey and some granola
- Spread on toast: especially good with butter and a touch of honey or sea salt
- Blended into smoothies for a rich, earthy boost
- Drizzled over pancakes or waffles
Drinks
- Black sesame matcha lattes: stunning, earthy, and ridiculously good
- Black sesame hot chocolate: cozy and nutty with a gorgeous gray hue
- Iced black sesame latte: blend with oat milk and a touch of sweetener
- Black sesame smoothie bowls: thick, creamy, and perfect for toppings
Baked Goods
- Swirled into banana bread or muffin batter: the marbled effect is beautiful
- Marbled into brownies or blondies
- Rippled through cheesecake: black sesame cheesecake is iconic for a reason
- Mixed into cookie dough: shortbread and sugar cookies work especially well
- Folded into cake batter: black sesame chiffon cake is a classic
Frozen Treats
- Ninja Creami black sesame ice cream, if you have a Ninja Creami, this is a must
- Black sesame popsicles
- Swirled into soft serve or vanilla ice cream
- Black sesame affogato: pour hot espresso over black sesame ice cream and thank me later
Unexpected & Unique
- Drizzled over vanilla ice cream with a pinch of flaky sea salt
- Mixed into peanut butter or almond butter for a sesame-nut hybrid spread
- Swirled into cream cheese for a lightly sweet bagel situation
- Black sesame compound butter: incredible on warm brioche or croissants
- Black sesame caramel sauce
- Stuffed inside French toast
- Black sesame cinnamon rolls: swirled right into the filling
Favorite Tools & Ingredients
• Food processor or the silkiest texture
• Heavy-bottomed skillet for even toasting
• Quality neutral oil: My favorites for this recipe are Algae Oil, Walnut Oil, Sesame Oil or Avocado Oil
• Airtight glass jars for storage
• Quality black sesame seeds (fresh seeds make a huge difference in flavor)
Keep This In Your Fridge
Black sesame paste is dramatic in color, bold in flavor, and quietly nourishing. It bridges old-world tradition with modern cooking, a centuries-old ingredient transformed into something you can swirl into your latte or drizzle over ice cream.
Whether you’re leaning into its Traditional Chinese Medicine roots or simply obsessed with that nutty, vanilla-kissed flavor, this paste is one of those ingredients that makes everything feel a little more special.
If you make it, tag me on Instagram @most.hearted so I can see what you create with it. And if you love recipes that blend wellness, culture, and serious flavor, make sure you’re following along for more!
Gina
Black Sesame Paste
Ingredients
- 2 cups black sesame seeds
- 5 tablespoons neutral oil algae, avocado, sesame, walnut
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add sesame seeds to a large dry skillet over medium-low heat.
- Toast, stirring constantly, for 5–7 minutes until fragrant and lightly popping. *Do not let them burn, burnt sesame becomes bitter quickly.
- Remove from heat and transfer warm sesame seeds to a high-speed blender or food processor (Transfer to a measuring cup to easily pour into the food processor without spilling)
- Add 5 tablespoons oil and salt, powdered sugar and vanilla extract.
- Blend for several minutes, scraping down the sides as needed. It will look crumbly at first, keep blending. The natural oils will release and transform into a thick paste.
- Blend until fully incorporated and silky smooth.
- If needed, add additional oil 1 tablespoon at a time until your desired consistency is reached.
- Blend 3–5 minutes total for the smoothest result.
