Black Sesame Paste — 100% Roasted Sesame, Made in Kyoto
Black Sesame Paste — 100% Roasted Sesame, Made in Kyoto
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Black Sesame Paste — 100% Roasted Sesame, Made in Kyoto

Kyoto's Yamada Seiyu hand-roasts black sesame, then stone-grinds it twice. 100% roasted black sesame. Nothing else.

Yamada Seiyu has been making sesame products in Kyoto since 1934. This is their black sesame paste, known in Japan as neri goma, ground from nothing but roasted black sesame.

The seeds are roasted by a craftsman, who adjusts the roast to the condition of the sesame and to the weather and humidity of the day.

They then go through a stone mill twice, a first pass and a finishing pass. The mill turns slowly, limiting heat buildup during grinding and helping preserve the sesame's aroma.

What comes out is black sesame and nothing else. No added oil, sugar, salt or stabilizer. The flavor is deep and full, with the natural sweetness of roasted sesame.

The paste is made at the company's main factory in Katsura, Kyoto.

Ayako visited both of the company's sites. At the Goma factory in Nantan, Kyoto Prefecture, she watched a craftsman roast sesame in an iron pan, moving the seeds with a hand broom. She saw the roasted seeds checked by color and aroma and pinched between the fingers to test their softness. At the main factory in Katsura, where this paste is made, she saw the stone mills at work. The company's president calls himself henko, Kyoto dialect for a stubborn, particular person, and Ayako says the work she watched explains the name.

Roasted black sesame. Made in Japan. Contains: sesame.

150g / 5.3 oz — tasting, testing and small-batch production
500g / 17.6 oz — standard kitchen format
6 × 500g — case format

For orders larger than one case, please contact us.

#Application by dish
・**Ice cream and gelato:** blend into the base for deep roasted sesame flavor and a natural gray-to-black color
・**Ganache and truffles:** incorporate into the finished emulsion for roasted sesame depth without added sweetness
・**Financiers, cakes and cookies:** fold into the batter for roasted sesame flavor throughout the crumb
・**Mousse and pastry cream:** blend in for roasted sesame flavor, color and body without adding sweetness
・**Black sesame lattes:** whisk into steamed milk for a clean, unsweetened sesame base
・**Noodles and sesame sauces:** thin with stock or vinegar to build a sauce with sesame as the backbone
・**Vinaigrettes:** emulsify for a dressing with weight and a dark finish
・**Soups and sauces:** stir in at the end for depth that sits under the other flavors
・**Toast and viennoiserie:** spread as it is, or loosen with honey

Store at room temperature, away from direct sunlight. Unopened shelf life is 24 months.

Oil separation is natural in a paste with no added emulsifier. Knead the sealed pouch or stir the paste before use.

#What is neri goma?
Neri goma is Japanese sesame paste made by grinding roasted sesame seeds until smooth. This black version from Yamada Seiyu contains only roasted black sesame, with no added oil, sugar or salt.

#How is neri goma different from tahini?
Both are sesame pastes, but Japanese neri goma is typically made with roasted sesame. Tahini varies by producer and may use hulled, lightly toasted or untoasted sesame. This black neri goma has a darker color and a pronounced roasted sesame profile, so it will change both the flavor and appearance of a recipe written for pale tahini.

#Is it the same as Chinese sesame paste?
They are related, but flavor and texture vary by producer. Both can be made from roasted sesame, while roasting level, seed selection, grinding method and added ingredients may differ. This version from Yamada Seiyu contains only roasted black sesame.

#Why has the oil separated?
Because there is no emulsifier in it. Knead the sealed pouch or stir the paste back together before use. Separation is not a sign that the paste has gone off.

#Should I use black or white?
Black has a deeper roasted aroma and gives a dish a darker color. White is creamier, with a gentler natural sweetness, and works well when you want to keep a dish pale. Choose black when you want the roasted sesame character and color to stand out.