Glossary - Kitchen Tools

Sesame Seed Roaster

A small cooking utensil for roasting sesame seeds to a fragrant finish without burning them

What is sesame seed roaster?

A sesame seed roaster (ごま炒り器 in Japanese) is a small, pot-like utensil with a handle and a mesh lid to prevent the sesame seeds from popping out. Models with a metal mesh pot allow you to shake off the sesame skins while roasting. Roasting sesame seeds in a sesame roaster not only enriches the sesame seeds with a fragrant, flavorful aroma, but also makes them easier to digest.

How to use

Place sesame seeds (roasted or unroasted) in the roaster and roast them about 20 cm (7 in.) from the stovetop, shaking gently. Roasting raw sesame seeds takes longer, while roasted sesame seeds take about one minute. They're ready when 2-3 seeds splatter. The stovetop should be set over high heat. Allow to cool after roasting.

Substitute for sesame seed roaster: when you don’t have it

If you don't have a sesame roaster, you can use a frying pan or pot instead. Lightly heat a frying pan without oil, add the sesame seeds, and roast over low to medium heat. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon or spatula to prevent the seeds from burning and ensure a uniform, fragrant finish.

Trivia

In recent years, sesame roasters have also come to be used to roast coffee at home. Their benefits include being able to cook coffee beans evenly as well as being lightweight and easy to handle.

Caution

The wire mesh and metal container become extremely hot when heated, so be careful not touch them with your bare hands; always use the handles. Additionally, when heating sesame seeds in a cookware without a lid, be careful not to get burned as the heated seeds may fly out.