Black Sesame Soup
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Also known as black sesame paste, Black Sesame Soup is a popular Chinese dessert. Made from black sesame seeds and glutinous rice, it has a nutty and fragrant flavour.
What is Black Sesame Soup?
As mentioned above, black sesame soup is a traditional Chinese dessert that is often served hot. Its made of black sesame seeds, sugar, rice flour and water.
Is often served hot and in Cantonese cuisine, it takes the form of tong sui, or sweet soup. Another example of tong sui is the other popular Chinese dessert, red bean soup.
Depending on your preference, its consistency can be thick (like a pudding) or thin (more watery). Sometimes, during Chinese New Year, “tang yuan” or glutinous rice balls are added to the soup.
Health Benefits
The main ingredient of this dessert, black sesame seeds, are a good source of fibre and plant protein. They also contain vitamin B and are rich in antioxidants.
In traditional Chinese medicine, black sesame seeds are prescribed to help detoxify the body, regulate the urinary system, nourish one’s hair and as a laxative.
An instant powdered version of black sesame soup is always available at your local Asian grocery store. It only takes 2 minutes to make! Just put the powder in a bowl, add boiling water and stir.
However, you can make a healthier version by yourself. Making it from scratch is just as easy too! Replacing the sugar with honey is a great alternative but you can also adjust the sugar level to your personal preference.
How to Make Black Sesame Powder
This recipe calls for black sesame powder. But sometimes an all-natural black sesame powder may be hard to find. Instead, you can make your own!
All you’ll need are black sesame seeds and a spice grinder. You can also use a blender or mortar and pestle if you do not have a spice grinder. Use the pulse button until the seeds become powder. It’s important to use the pulse button so that you don’t over grind them and make a paste. Grinding for too long can release the seed’s natural oils. And that’s it, you’ve made black sesame powder!
Another important note for making black sesame powder is lightly toasting the seeds before grinding. This will bring out the nutty flavours more.
You can make your own instant version by browning the rice flour over low heat and then mixing in the black sesame powder. Store in an airtight container. To serve, add boiling water and sugar.
Learn more about Popular Chinese Desserts and Candies. You can also try other traditional Asian desserts such as Red Bean Buns or Mango Pomelo Sago.
Put the toasted black sesame seeds into a spice grinder or blender. Pulse intermittently until the desired powder consistency is achieved. Make sure not to over grind or else you’ll create a paste.
Black Sesame Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup black sesame seeds, or ¼ cup black sesame powder
- 1 ½ cup water
- 2 tbsp rice flour
- 2 tbsp glutinous rice flour
- 2 tbsp honey or sugar
Instructions
Making the Powder:
- In a small pan, fry the black sesame seeds over low heat, stirring occasionally, until they become fragrant (~3 to 5 minutes). Once toasted, remove the pan from the heat and let it cool down.
- Put the toasted black sesame seeds into a spice grinder or blender. Pulse intermittently until the desired powder consistency is achieved. Make sure not to over grind or else you’ll create a paste.
Soup:
- Begin making the soup by adding the water, rice flour, glutinous rice flour and black sesame powder to a pan.
- Bring everything to a simmer over low heat, stirring continuously. The mixture should begin to thicken.
- Continue to simmer and stir for about 10 minutes. After, add in your sugar and mix until it’s fully dissolved. Taste and adjust until you get your desired sweetness level.
- If the soup is too thick, add more water and stir until it is mixed in well.
- Remove from heat and use a ladle to serve in small bowls. Let it cool down for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
