Tahini is a form of nut butter that is becoming increasingly popular in recipes for everything from banana bread to cookies and hummus. Many even contend that it is healthier than peanut butter, a longtime mainstay in every household’s cupboard! There might be a lot of disagreement over which is better when deciding between tahini and peanut butter. Both of them are delectable and each has a special set of advantages!
What distinguishes tahini from peanut butter then? Oil and hulled sesame seeds are used to make tahini. The seeds are combined to create a smooth substance with a distinct aroma and flavor. In contrast, peanut butter has a nutty flavor and is created from ground, roasted peanuts. Can one be replaced by the other? To assist you in making the best decision, we’ll examine the benefits and drawbacks of each in this piece. Let’s get going!
What Is Tahini?
Tahini is a creamy sesame seed butter that is prepared from powdered sesame seeds. Tahini can have a nutty, bitter, or sweet flavor depending on the sort of sesame seeds used and how they’re processed. Tahini is a popular topping for falafel and other Middle Eastern foods, as well as the main component in hummus and baba ganoush. Tahini is a ubiquitous component in sauces, soups, and salad dressings, as well as a dip or spread.
While tahini is usually linked with savory foods, it can also be used in sweet recipes like cookies and cakes. Tahini is a significant component in many different cuisines due to its versatility and distinct flavor. Tahini also contains a lot of protein, iron, and calcium. It’s heavy in fat, but the majority of it is unsaturated fat, which is considered a good sort of fat.
Tahini Vs Peanut Butter — Similarities And Differences
When you read the description of tahini, peanut butter, another well-known nut butter, comes to mind. You might be wondering if tahini can compete with peanut butter as it is a common favorite in many households. Let’s compare these two ingredients and see how they stack up!
Ingredients
Tahini is a sesame seed paste that is hulled, roasted, and crushed. To make good tahini, start with high-quality, hulled sesame seeds. Typically, they are toasted before being pounded into a fine powder. The sesame powder is then mixed with oil and, occasionally, salt to make a smooth, creamy paste.
The sesame-to-oil ratio varies by recipe, but a decent rule of thumb is to use one part oil for every two parts sesame to achieve a smooth texture. Peanut butter is a famous creamy spread made from roasted ground peanuts. After that, the peanuts are hulled, skinned, and ground into a smooth paste. Finally, the paste is usually sweetened and salted.
Taste
Tahini has an inimitable taste that is nutty and flavorful with a hint of bitterness. If you toast the seeds before grinding them, you can enhance their flavor and lessen the bitterness. However, the smell of sesame seeds might be overwhelming. Tahini should be prepared entirely of hulled sesame seeds, so keep that in mind when you shop. When compared to tahinis manufactured from unhulled seeds, this variety is smoother and has a deeper flavor.
Salted, sweet, nutty, and earthy are all flavors that stand out when eating peanut butter. Peanut butter is a popular spread that may be enjoyed on its own, but is also frequently included into sweet and savory baked goods and used as a flavorful topping.
Texture
Peanut butter is typically smooth, but it is also available in chunky form. Peanut butter is frequently more blendable when mixed into other recipes. Tahini, on the other hand, can be somewhat rough and have more prominent grains. It also requires a little more work to include into a recipe using other ingredients.
Homemade Tahini Vs Homemade Peanut Butter
Using a food processor, you may produce tahini and peanut butter at home. All you need to create tahini at home is toasted sesame seeds. Sesame seeds can be purchased already toasted at the grocery store, or you can toast the seeds yourself in a dry skillet over medium heat. Then, after the seeds have been well ground, slowly add vegetable oil (or another type of oil of your choosing) until a paste starts to form. Spreadable and smooth paste is ideal. Salt is then added to taste.
To produce your own homemade peanut butter, you can alternatively purchase or roast your own roasted peanuts. Since peanuts naturally release oil when they are roasted, peanut butter doesn’t need any additional oil to be made. Then, after a paste begins to form, process the ingredients and add salt and sugar as desired.
Health Benefits
Tahini is made from sesame seeds, which are small, oil-rich seeds that have been used in traditional medicine for generations. Adding tahini to your diet will benefit your health greatly. Tahini is high in good fats, protein, B vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and other plant substances. Sesame seeds include unique plant chemicals that may have health benefits in addition to their food value.
Sesamin, for example, is a sesame seed component that has been shown to protect against oxidative damage and support healthy cholesterol levels. Sesame seeds, on the other hand, have been demonstrated to decrease inflammation and protect against cellular damage. Sesame seeds are a useful supplement to any balanced diet because of their strong plant ingredients.
Peanuts are a nutritional powerhouse, high in protein, healthy fats, and critical elements. Furthermore, peanut butter is high in fiber and antioxidants, both of which are beneficial to heart health. Peanuts are well-known for their heart-healthy benefits, as they contain chemicals that help lower cholesterol and lower the risk of heart disease.
However, store-bought peanut butter has a high sugar level, so if you use it, make sure to use it in moderation. You can also manufacture your own peanut butter to reduce the amount of sugar in your diet.
Storage
If it’s in a firmly sealed container, tahini can be kept in your pantry for up to a month. Tahini can be stored in your refrigerator for up to 6 months if you want it to last longer. Tahini can occasionally separate because to its high oil content, especially if you store it in the refrigerator. Fear not—this does not indicate that the tahini has gone bad! It must be mixed to combine the paste and oil before it is ready for use.
If you store peanut butter in a well sealed jar and make your own, it will stay fresh in your cupboard for three months. You may store peanut butter in the refrigerator for up to 6 months if you want it to last longer. If you want your homemade peanut butter to stay longer, you should store it in the refrigerator. Tahini and peanut butter from the store are typically preserved with ingredients so they can last up to two years in your pantry.
Can You Substitute Tahini With Peanut Butter?
Tahini can be substituted for peanut butter in some recipes. You can use them interchangeably, for example, as a spread for your sandwich or as a savory ingredient in your dessert. If you’re cooking, keep in mind that tahini and peanut butter have very different flavors. The sesame fragrance in tahini may be rather overpowering, so use it sparingly if you’re using it in a dish that asks for peanut butter. Because peanut butter contains more sugar than tahini, the finished dish may be sweeter than intended if you use it instead of tahini.
Cooking With Peanut Butter
In addition to the traditional PB&J sandwiches, peanut butter can be used in a variety of other dishes.
Let’s look at some inventive methods to prepare foods with peanut butter:
For an added protein boost, combine peanut butter with your banana smoothie.
Spread peanut butter on warm items (such as toast, wraps, waffles, and pancakes) to cause it to melt and become really creamy.
Overnight oats and peanut butter should be combined.
Dress your salad and spring rolls with peanut sauce.
Cookies with peanut butter
Ice cream with peanut butter.
These are but a few suggestions, but when using this adaptable nut butter in your cuisine, you are only limited by your imagination!
Cooking With Tahini
Tahini is frequently used as a dressing or topping for salads, falafel, and other Middle Eastern meals. Tahini can also be used to make hummus and baba ganoush, and the sesame flavor complements these foods nicely.
Tahini can be used to make ice cream or cheesecake while cooking sweets. Tahini pairs well with mild flavors like vanilla, but it also brings out the distinct flavor of chocolate!