The flavors of sesame is the mainstay of popular Asian recipes and particularly in Chinese cuisine. Toasted sesame seeds are sprinkled on salads, sesame paste is added to sauces, and delightfully aromatic sesame oil is used to flavor everything.

Dark sesame oil, one of the intriguing flavors of the orient, is the one most used when a recipe from China, Japan or Korea calls for sesame oil. It derives its dark amber colour and nutty flavor from hulled sesame seeds, toasted prior to pressing.

This flavoring sesame oil is not used as regular cooking oil, as the flavor is too intense and it burns easily. Recipes often call for a few drops of it to be drizzled on a dish just before serving as a flavor highlight.

The oil dressing used for flavoring instant noodle usually contains a blend of sesame oil. In just the right amount, sesame oil soothe the unevenness of any dish to bring out its flavors.

More…Four Main Chinese Styles