This black sesame oil is cold-pressed in the old-fashioned way, so richly scented it coats the throat as you breathe it in. The seeds are toasted over a meticulously controlled wood fire, steamed to break down the seed walls, then shaped into oilseed cakes in circular molds. These circular cakes, wrapped in paper, are stacked in a hydraulic press and slowly compressed together to squeeze out the oil. Unlike expeller-pressed sesame oil, which does generate heat, this compression method is a low-heat process, which keeps the oil as pure and unaltered as possible.

The resulting oil is light, toasty, fresh, and well balanced as can be. Sesame oil is a healthy oil, containing mostly monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Use it for salad dressings, finishing stir fries, or use as a dip. Absolutely versatile, but avoid high heat.