Ingredient

Fair Trade Organic Sesame Oil

Sesamum indicum

Not just for topping burger buns, sesame seeds produce a rich oil that deeply hydrates and protects the skin and hair.

Where do we get it?

This fair trade and organic sesame oil is pressed in Kenya from seeds grown in Ochero county, Uganda.

What are the benefits for people and the planet?

Although the seeds are grown by small-scale Ugandan farmers, the oil is sold by an international company that collects goods and presses them into oil in Kenya and Madagascar. They have their own plant nurseries and manage every step of the production to make sure they have a fully transparent and traceable supply chain.

The main focuses of this company are:

• The quality of life of the farmers and their community. 
• Sustainability in all their processes and in agriculture. 
• Very high-quality products.

The relationship between growers and the company is considered a true partnership. Knowledge and resources are shared, prices are fair, and investments in the communities are for long-term, impactful projects (such as building access to drinkable water). 

What are the benefits of the cold-pressing method?

Cold-pressing is the most natural method of obtaining oil from a plant’s fruits or seeds. No heat, solvents, or other techniques are applied to the raw materials except mechanical pressure. This yields a pure and unaltered oil, often aromatic and colourful.

What are the benefits for you?

• Rich in vitamin E tocopherol, studied for its firming and anti-inflammatory properties on the skin.
• Rich in fatty acids and lecithin - a highly moisturising and protective mixture for the skin and hair.
• May give slight UV protection when used in appropriate amounts.
• Contains sesamol, a natural preservative that helps the oil remain stable and highly resistant to oxidation, which also allows product blends to last longer.

Unique stories

Sesame (Sesamum indicum) is a strong-smelling flowering herb. Native to sub-Saharan Africa, it is highly drought-resistant and is considered the oldest oilseed crop ever cultivated by man. Growing up to a meter tall, the grass produces seed capsules that suddenly burst to disperse the seeds far and wide. In Uganda, the collection of these seeds is done twice a year by hand. The fruit of this laborious work is an oil with an amber colour and a tasty nutty aroma.

The saying 'open sesame' in the Arabian Nights tale comes from the fact that, at the time, some believed that sesame seeds had magical powers. They were said to open locks and hidden paths and bring good fortune. Or was it because of the sight of the plant's pods bursting open?