Sesame seeds are separated into black, white, and brown sesame seeds based on their color. Roasted sesame seeds are used in cooking, and they can even be ground with a mortar and pestle. Sweet and aromatic white sesame seeds are used in chopped dishes and “goma tofu” (a traditional Japanese food made with sesame seed paste), bitter black sesame seeds get mixed with salt to create "gomashio" which is then sprinkled on “sekihan” (rice steamed with red beans like adzuki) or used in cooking.