Black Sesame: Hong Kong's Delicious Anti-Aging Superfood!

Exploring Black Sesame: A Cantonese Dessert Adventure

This article delves into the world of black sesame, a popular ingredient in Cantonese desserts, exploring its health benefits and various culinary applications in Hong Kong.

The Iconic Black Sesame Dessert

The journey begins with the classic black sesame dessert, a hot, thick, and flavorful treat. It's slightly sweet and packed with health benefits.

• Calcium Rich: A single cup boasts as much calcium as two cups of milk.

• Lactose-Free: This makes it a perfect choice for those who are lactose intolerant, as many people in this region are.

Black Sesame: A Superfood

Black sesame is not just a delicious ingredient, but also a calcium-packed superfood. It is a key feature in Cantonese cuisine, especially for desserts. Many believe it is good for your hair.

• Hair Benefits: Some believe it prevents hair from turning gray.

• Popularity in Hong Kong: Its prevalence can be attributed to its traditional appeal and its benefits for those avoiding dairy.

Torto Factory: Instant Black Sesame Dessert

The exploration takes us to the Torto factory, where they are experts in all things black sesame. They were the first company in the world to develop an instant version of the hot black sesame dessert.

• Convenience: Thanks to Torto, one can now make the dessert at home by simply adding hot water.

• Traditional Preparation: Creating this dessert from scratch is a time-consuming process.

Making Black Sesame Dessert from Scratch

The process of making black sesame dessert involves several steps:

1. Cleaning: The seeds are cleaned of any impurities.
2. Roasting: The seeds are roasted to perfection. This step requires expertise, as over-roasting leads to bitterness, while under-roasting results in a flavorless product.
3. Cooling: After roasting, the sesame seeds are cooled down.
4. Sourcing: The black sesame used here comes from India and is prized for its high fatty acid and calcium content. This variety also produces a more intense fragrance.
5. Grinding and Mixing: After cooling, the seeds are crushed into a powder, mixed with sugar and starch, and then packaged.

Black Sesame Beyond the Dessert

The article then explores other ways black sesame is used in Hong Kong cuisine.

B Go: Black Sesame and Glutinous Rice

The first stop is a store that offers B Go, a combination of black sesame and glutinous rice powder, steamed and served on a bamboo stick. They are increasingly difficult to find in Hong Kong. The texture is described as a mix between jelly, cake, and glutinous rice, with a fragrant black sesame flavor.

Hong Kong Desserts: Good Taste, Good for You

Another dessert recommended is a nutritious option made with ingredients like red dates, longan, Goji berries, Tremella, and brown sugar. These ingredients are considered beneficial, especially for women, to replenish the body after their period.

Mochi Balls: A Stretchy Delight

The next black sesame treat encountered are mochi balls filled with a black sesame and peanut mixture. The texture of the mochi is soft and stretchy. The combination of peanut and black sesame provides a delightful crunchiness and fragrance.

Black Sesame French Toast: A Diner Staple

The final stop is a cha chaan teng (Hong Kong-style diner), where black sesame French toast is on the menu. French toast is a must-try item in a cha chaan teng.

• The Hong Kong French Toast Experience: Typically consists of two pieces of bread with peanut butter in the middle, topped with condensed milk and butter.

• Black Sesame Twist: The black sesame version offers a unique twist, with the black sesame filling oozing out when cut open.

• It's crunchy on the outside and the black sesame adds the same nuttiness as the peanut butter in traditional French toast.

Beyond Black Sesame: Prawn Toast and Red Bean Ice

Although unrelated to black sesame, the article mentions two other food items:

• Prawn Toast: Covered with toasted sesame seeds, featuring a juicy prawn filling.

• Red Bean Ice: A cool drink with coconut milk and red beans, adding texture and sweetness.

Conclusion

The article concludes with a reflection on the black sesame food adventure, highlighting the diverse applications of this ingredient in Hong Kong cuisine. It emphasizes that Hong Kong cuisine offers both delicious taste and potential health benefits.