Food For Thought Part VI

June 22, 2004

Greetings Members:

Exerpt from Nomi Shannon, author of "The Raw Gourmet" (Information mostly for beginners and others if you can use it)

Today we will talk about tahini-a very valuable and interesting food.

The Tahini StoryIn North America, sesame seeds are best known as a topping for rolls and bread, but in other parts of the world they are an important source of high quality protein and edibleoil. Tahini is simply liquefied sesame seeds, with nothing added, subtracted or refined. It has a consistency that is a bit thinner than peanut butter. Tahini is a high quality protein containing all the essential amino acids. Since it is made from sesame seeds which are forty-five percent protein and fifty-five percent oil, it is rich in lecithin, vitamin E and calcium. Its high-alkaline mineral content makes tahini easily digestible for young children and people with digestive complaints, and it is a source of quick energy for active people and athletes. Tahini has a long shelf life, probably due to its antioxidant properties. Interest in sesame tahini was sparked by an interesting discovery.

During both World War II and the Korean war, Turkish aviators became well known for their physical and mental endurance. Upon investigation, it was discovered that tahini was an important part of their daily diet. Since then, growing interest in ethnic foods has introduced many Americans to hummus, a chick-pea-tahini spread or dip that is a staple in the mid-east, and baba-gannouj, which contains eggplant and tahini. Tahini can be purchased raw. (See ources, page 207.) Many health food stores carry only the roasted sesame tahini, but you can ask them to carry the raw tahini as it is made by the same companies. In the process of grinding the whole seeds into tahini, reputable companies keep the temperature from the friction in the grinding mechanism right around 100 degrees F (38 C), which is well below the 118 F (48 C) it takes to kill enzymes. The jars are then immediately capped with a special lid that creates a vacuum. There is no need for pasteurization, or for

the manufacturer to immerse the bottled raw tahini into boiling liquid or steam. You shouldbe getting raw tahini that really is a raw-food product. (This same information applies to raw nut butters.)Tahini is used throughout this book because of its healthful properties, pleasant taste and adaptability in recipes. At this point in time, it is also very economical. However, since sesame seed is a very labor intensive crop, and as its popularity in North America is increasing, so too will its price. Currently tahini is only one-third the cost of almond butter, so if you've never used it, now is a good time to begin.Would you like to know the best juicer to buy for your needs and budget? Want to read up on the pros and cons of the various brands? See the Equipment Chapter of The Raw Gourmet for a description of all the equipment that makes preparing raw food fun and easy.If you want to:· Maximize your Health· Stave off the Symptoms of

Old Age· Regain or Retain Youthful Vigor and Energy· Balance Your Weight· Feel Great, No Matter What Your Age· Create Wellness for Yourself· Learn a Natural, Drug-Free Approach to Vibrant Healthand Living Life to the FullestIF YOU HAVE A GOAL OF EVEN ONE OF THE ABOVE - THEN DOYOURSELF A FAVOR AND LEARN HOW SIMPLE AND EASY IT ISTO EAT WELL FOR LIFE. -ORDER THE RAW GOURMET.http://www.rawgourmet.com/book.htmlPLUS - ORDER YOUR COPY OF The Raw Gourmet & YOU WILL RECEIVE THE LITTLE BOOK OF RAW SOUPS ABSOLUTELY FREE! This is the only way to Get the Little Book of Raw Soups-by ordering direct from the Raw Gourmet herself, at this site. If you already own The Raw Gourmet, you can purchase The Little Book of Raw Soups for $6.00-contact the author at 888-316-4611THIS IS GREAT-HOW DO I BUY THE BOOK? There are 3 ways to buy The Raw Gourmet: Click or paste here http://www.rawgourmet.com/order.html to purchase the book on the internet by credit card. Or call toll-free 888-316-4611, If I don't answer live, I will call you back. The price of the book is $24.95, plus $3.85 shipping (CA residents add 7.75% sale tax).Yours in Good HealthNomi Shannonhttp://www. rawgourmet.com/book.html

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