When fully mature and dry, the seeds of Black Sesame are very dark indeed. The colour difference between the varieties is obvious if they are placed side by side. This seed has a richer, nuttier flavour than its white and gold cousins, and the plants need strong heat to be productive. Sesame as a plant is not simply drought tolerant — it requires drought for good pod and seed production, and this makes it an excellent plant for xeriscaping. The plants are indeterminate, and will keep producing new flowers and seed capsules until the nights get cool in the fall. The black seeded variety is popular in Chinese, Korean, and Japanese dishes both sweet and savoury, and is particularly rich in oil. Its flowers are highly attractive to bees.

Matures in 75-110 days. (Open-pollinated seeds)

• Dark in colour
• Rich in flavour
• Drought tolerant
• Open-pollinated seeds