Black Sesame Seeds (Hei Zhi Ma) | (500g)

About

Black sesame seeds, known as Hei Zhi Ma, are a longstanding staple in both the Chinese kitchen and traditional practice. This larger 500g pack suits regular home cooks, family households, and anyone who uses sesame seeds often.

Processed with care, the seeds have a firm bite and a subtle nutty flavour. The generous size means a steady supply without constant restocking.

Shop all Large Loose Culinary Herbs

Potential Benefits

• Traditional Heritage: Black sesame has been used in Chinese cooking and herbal tradition for centuries, and appears in many classic sweet and savoury dishes.
• Plant Protein: Sesame seeds are a plant source of protein, and suit vegetarian and vegan cooking.
• Distinctive Texture: The seeds keep their crunch when toasted and scattered, and grind down smoothly into a paste.
• Aromatic: Light toasting brings out a deep, nutty aroma that carries through a finished dish.
• Versatile: They work across salads, breads, stir-fries, yoghurt, congee, smoothies and dressings.

Recommended Dosage

We recommend around 1 tablespoon per portion. Some ways to use them:

• Sprinkle on salads: Toast lightly, then scatter over salads for added texture and flavour.
• Blend in smoothies: A tablespoon or two adds a nutty depth.
• Bake with them: Fold into bread, muffins, biscuits or granola bars, or scatter on top for crunch.
• Use as a topping: Sprinkle over yoghurt, porridge or cereal.
• Make a sesame paste: Grind in a food processor until smooth, then use as a spread or in sauces, dressings and dips.
• Add to stir-fries: Toast and add to stir-fried vegetables, noodles or rice dishes.
• Garnish dishes: Scatter over soups, stews or roasted vegetables.

Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place to keep them fresh.

Allergen information: This product is sesame. Not suitable for anyone with a sesame allergy.

Other Sizes and Formats

Black sesame seeds are also stocked in a smaller pack and as concentrated granules:

• Black Sesame Seeds (Hei Zhi Ma) | 100g handy if you only use them occasionally, or want to try them first
• Hei Zhi Ma Concentrated Granules | 100g bottle dissolves in hot water, no grinding or toasting needed

What to Use Them With

Black sesame belongs to a group of dark-coloured foods traditionally used together in Chinese cooking. These are the ones most often paired with it:

• Black soybeans (Hei Dou) the closest companion in the same traditional grouping
• Red adzuki beans (Hong Dou) paired with black sesame in traditional sweet fillings and buns
• Coix seeds (Yi Yi Ren) | 500g for porridge and congee
• Goji berries (Gou Qi Zi) | 500g scattered together over breakfast bowls

Why Choose Vita?

Every herb we sell at Vita Herbal Nutrition is non-sulphur treated and chosen for use in the kitchen and in traditional preparation.

We proudly offer a 100% sulphur-free range. Sulphur is widely used in the industry to improve appearance and extend shelf life, but it alters the natural composition of the herb and may cause allergic reactions in some individuals. You can read more on our non-sulphur treated herbs page.

We follow the DaoDi principle of choosing each herb from the area traditionally associated with it, and we have worked with the same supply partners since 2010.

FAQ

Are these seeds raw or toasted?
They come raw, so you can toast them yourself to bring out a deeper aroma, or use them as they are.

Can I use them in sweet as well as savoury dishes?
Yes. They suit baked goods and sweet fillings as readily as stir-fries, soups and rice bowls.

How should I store them after opening?
In an airtight container in a cool, dark place. With a 500g pack this matters more, as the flavour dulls if the seeds are left exposed to heat and light.

Do they contain allergens?
Yes. This product is sesame, one of the declarable allergens, so it is not suitable for anyone with a sesame allergy.

Are they suitable for vegans and vegetarians?
Yes, they are entirely plant-based and suitable for both.

What is the difference between the 500g and 100g packs?
Only the quantity. Both are the same seeds from the same source, so the 100g pack is simply the smaller option.