Hulled Sesame Seeds vs. Unhulled Sesame Seeds

Are you looking to add more flavor, texture, and nutrition to your meals? Sesame seeds may be the perfect ingredient for you. Hulled sesame seeds are a common pantry staple often used in sweet and savory dishes worldwide, but did you know there is also an unhulled variety of sesame seeds?

This post will look at the differences between hulled and unhulled sesame seeds – from their nutritional profile to their respective culinary uses.

What are Sesame Seeds?

Sesame seeds are tiny, flat, oval seeds with a nutty flavor from the sesame plant (Sesamum indicum).

The hulled version has been stripped of its thin outer layer, while the unhulled form, sometimes referred to as natural sesame seeds, still contains this skin.

Hulling is usually completed in the manufacturing or processing stage before being sent out for sale.

Hulled sesame seeds have a chewy texture and mildly nutty taste and are a common ingredient in many dishes, including salads, bread, hamburger buns, and granola bars.

The unhulled variety contains more minerals and dietary fiber than the hulled variety, making them more nutritious and beneficial to one’s health.

Related: Are you out of sesame seeds? Then read more on finding the best substitute for sesame seeds.

Differences Between Hulled and Unhulled Sesame Seeds

Hulled sesame seeds remove the tough outer husk and have a less assertive flavor, while unhulled seeds retain the husk and offer a more robust taste.

Nutritionally, both still provide protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Hulled seeds have also been known to be slightly higher in calcium due to removing other minerals from the seed coat during processing.

Nutritional Content

• The main nutritional difference between hulled and unhulled sesame seeds is their amount of fiber.
• Hulled seeds contain less fiber than unhulled ones, though they still provide some.
• Unhulled sesame seeds offer a higher fiber content and more minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. They are a good source of iron, which aids in the reconstruction of hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells responsible for delivering oxygen to all corners of the body.
• Hulled sesame seeds are also richer in healthy fats than unhulled ones, while their vitamin content is similar. 
• Unhulled sesame seeds have more antioxidants, which can help to protect cells from damage.
• Both help with the improvement of healthy and strong bones, and both contain dietary folate,

Physical Appearance – Size and Shape

Unhulled sesame seeds are larger and have a pointed end, while the hulled variety is smaller and rounded on both ends.

As for their shape, hulled sesame seeds tend to be mostly round and flat, whereas the unhulled kind has ridges running along their edges, giving them an almond-like shape.

Taste and texture

Sesame seeds have a distinct nutty flavor that can be enjoyed when hulled or unhulled. They also produce strong-tasting sesame oil.

Hulled sesame seeds tend to have a mild and more subtle flavor as the hull is removed, meaning some flavor essences are also reduced.

Unhulled sesame seeds have a stronger and slightly bitter flavor due to their outer shell retaining their aromatic oils and spicy flavor notes.

Regarding texture, hulled are smoother and less crunchy due to the absence of fibrous hulls, while unhulled have a crunchy texture.

Related: 7 Best Substitutes for Poppy Seeds

Unhulled and Hulled Sesame Seeds in Cooking

Hulled and unhulled seeds can be used in various ways in cooking, from adding flavor and texture to dishes to creating garnishes.

Unhulled sesame seeds have a firmer texture, making them great for adding depth to stuffings and salads and sprinkling atop fish or meat for extra crunch.

Hulled sesame seeds are more delicate, with an excellent nutty flavor on pasta, baked goods, stir-fries, or rice dishes.

Both types can make tahini sauce, and toasted sesame seeds provide an even more intense flavor.

Related: 10 Best Substitutes for Nigella Seeds

Where to Find Hulled and Unhulled Sesame Seeds

Hulled sesame seeds are available in regular grocery stores alongside other seeds in the baking aisle.

Unhulled sesame seeds, on the other hand, may be harder to locate and only available at specialty health food stores and online vendors specializing in natural ingredients and spices.

Conclusion

Sesame seeds are a great and versatile way to add a nutty flavor to various meals. 

Both hulled and unhulled sesame seeds are nutritious, full of vitamins and minerals, and have numerous associated health benefits.