Kurogoma Black Sesame

Sesamum indicum

Seeds per pack approx. 200

Packed for 2025

Origins and History

Kurogoma, meaning “black sesame” in Japanese, refers to a heritage type of Sesamum indicum, one of the oldest oilseed crops in human history. Sesame’s domestication traces back over 4,000 years to the Indus Valley and regions of sub-Saharan Africa, where early farmers selected for drought resistance and high oil content. The crop spread eastward through trade routes into China, Korea, and Japan, where black-seeded varieties like Kurogoma became prized for their rich flavor and medicinal qualities. In Japan, black sesame has long been used in both Buddhist temple cuisine (shōjin ryōri) and traditional confections, symbolizing vitality and longevity.

Appearance and Characteristics

Kurogoma plants are upright annual herbs reaching 2–4 feet tall, with slender, square stems and lance-shaped leaves. The bell-shaped flowers are pale pink to lavender, giving way to small, elongated seed capsules that split open when mature. The seeds themselves are tiny, glossy, and jet black—slightly smaller than their white counterparts. They possess a deep, nutty aroma and a more pronounced, earthy flavor due to higher levels of natural antioxidants and oils.

Culinary Uses

In culinary traditions across Asia, Kurogoma is celebrated for both taste and nutrition. The seeds are commonly toasted and sprinkled over rice, noodles, and salads, or ground into pastes for sauces, desserts, and fillings such as kurogoma ice cream and goma dango (sesame rice balls). Black sesame paste is also used in baked goods, smoothies, and confections for its striking color and mineral-rich composition—especially calcium, iron, and magnesium. Its oil, darker and more aromatic than light sesame oil, is used sparingly for flavoring.

Growing Tips (Vegetation Zones and Sowing Depth)

Kurogoma black sesame thrives in warm climates and well-drained, sandy loam soils. It performs best in USDA zones 9–12, though it can be grown as an annual in cooler regions with a long, hot summer. Sow seeds ¼ inch deep in warm soil (70–85°F) after all danger of frost has passed, spacing plants 6–8 inches apart in rows 18–24 inches apart. Full sun exposure is essential for optimal oil production and seed yield. Sesame tolerates drought once established but performs best with consistent moisture during germination and flowering.

Harvesting Guidance

Sesame pods mature unevenly, so harvest begins when lower capsules start turning brown and the leaves yellow. Cut whole plants and bundle them upright to dry for about a week, allowing the pods to dehisce naturally. Once dry, shake or thresh the plants over a clean cloth to collect the seeds. Screen or winnow to remove chaff. Fully cured Kurogoma seeds should be stored in airtight containers in a cool, dry place to preserve their distinctive aroma and oil content for culinary or planting use.

Botanical Origins of Sesamun indicum

Sesamum indicum, commonly known as sesame, is one of the world’s oldest oilseed crops, belonging to the family Pedaliaceae. Its wild relatives are distributed primarily in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of the Indian subcontinent. The most probable center of origin is thought to be Africa, where several wild Sesamum species still grow, particularly in Ethiopia. However, genetic and archaeological evidence also points to an early secondary center of domestication in the Indian subcontinent, where the species has been cultivated for millennia. The crop’s drought tolerance and adaptability to marginal soils contributed to its early success as a dependable source of edible oil.

History of Domestication

Domestication of Sesamum indicum likely occurred over 3,000 years ago. Archaeological remains from the Indus Valley Civilization (around 2500–2000 BCE) suggest sesame was already under cultivation in ancient India, where it may have been domesticated from the wild species S. mulayanum. In ancient Mesopotamia, sesame oil was valued both for cooking and for ritual uses, indicating its early trade and cultural significance. The plant’s small seeds, high oil content (up to 60%), and relatively easy extraction process made it a vital early oilseed crop. Selective cultivation favored non-shattering seed pods, increased seed size, and improved oil quality.

Spread and Diversification

From its centers of domestication, sesame spread widely through early trade routes. It reached China by at least 2000 BCE, where it was used in traditional medicine and culinary preparations. Ancient Egyptian records also reference sesame as a food and medicinal oil, and the Greeks and Romans later adopted it into their diets. Over centuries, Sesamum indicum diversified into numerous landraces and varieties adapted to local climates—ranging from black and brown to white-seeded forms—each associated with distinct cultural and culinary uses. Today, sesame is cultivated in more than 70 countries, with major production centers in India, China, Sudan, Myanmar, and Nigeria. Its genetic diversity reflects centuries of human selection for flavor, seed color, oil content, and adaptability, making it both an ancient and continually evolving crop of global significance.