FDBusiness.com

Israeli Rushdi Foods has launched a tahini-based condiment in a squeezable and ready-to-use bottle, designed to infuse meals with ethnically inspired flavours.

The Mighty Sesame Co brand of tahini is made simply from sesame seed, yet its proprietary processing methods deliver the full consumer-desired texture, Rushdi Foods said. It contains no preservatives, sugar, salt, or any artificial ingredients, making it an all-natural and clean-label product with a rich, deep flavour.

Mighty Sesame Co’s tahini is also healthy, rich in highly bioavailable plant proteins and designed to tap into growing consumer interest in tahini-based spreads, according to the company. It cited research from Innova Market Insights, which showed an increase of 98% in launch activity for tahini-based spreads between 2013 and 2014, with a further 10% increase in 2015.

In addition, sesame contains 21.4g of protein per 100g – more than tofu, which has just 15g. Dairy foods are well-known for their calcium content, yet cream cheese contains only 14mg of calcium per tablespoon, while sesame contains nearly ten times that amount, Rushdi Foods said.

“It’s a game changer in many aspects,” said Rushdi Foods CEO Sigal Shilony.

“Millennials want a complete package of health, taste, and convenience in a product, and our tahini delivers exactly that. Mediterranean dishes have included this superfood ingredient for centuries, but it takes time and effort to prepare fresh, tasty tahini for daily use. Typically, water, lemon juice, garlic, and salt must be added to achieve authentic taste and texture. Rushdi took this ancient ingredient, retained its high-nutrition properties and developed a next-gen tahini condiment made from a single ingredient: sesame. There is no need to add anything – simply pour it on a salad or spread it on a sandwich and it is ready.

“We examined many sesame crops, analysed them, and chose one specific crop that displayed exceptional characteristics. Then, we developed a patented automatic processing method to give Mighty Sesame Co its exceptional smooth texture, and allow it to mix easily with any flavor or extract for creating a variety of flavours ranging from savory to sweet. It’s Rushdi’s pleasure to bring this secret health ingredient into easy-to-use form for healthy food lovers.”