Mesmara Cold Pressed Black Sesame Oil – Traditional Tamil Nallennai

Mesmara Cold Pressed Black Sesame Oil — Traditional Tamil Nallennai, Wood Pressed Sesame Oil

Mesmara Cold Pressed Black Sesame Oil is made from carefully selected black sesame seeds and slowly pressed using a traditional wooden Chekku/Ghani.

Known as Nallennai in Tamil and Gingelly Oil in English, sesame oil has a long-standing place in Tamil cuisine and traditional South Indian cooking.

With its naturally rich sesame aroma and distinctive nutty flavour, Mesmara Black Sesame Oil is ideal for traditional Tamil cooking, podis, pickles, chutneys, curries, seasoning and everyday recipes.

Sesame oil is also traditionally used for lighting diyas and lamps during prayers, festivals and other auspicious occasions in many South Indian households, including parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

If you have grown up with Nallennai, this is the familiar flavour of traditional sesame oil. If you have never tried it, discover one of South India's most traditional cooking oils.

What Is Black Sesame Oil?

Black Sesame Oil is extracted from black sesame seeds. Sesame oil is also known as Gingelly Oil, Til Oil and Nallennai, depending on the region and language.

In Tamil Nadu, sesame oil is traditionally known as Nallennai and is used in a wide variety of traditional dishes and preparations. Mesmara Black Sesame Oil is mechanically extracted using a traditional wooden Chekku/Ghani, giving it the characteristic flavour and aroma associated with traditionally pressed sesame oil.

Nallennai – The Traditional Tamil Sesame Oil

If you have heard the word Nallennai, it refers to sesame oil in Tamil. Nallennai has a special place in Tamil cooking and is traditionally used with many everyday South Indian foods. It is commonly enjoyed with:

• Idli
• Dosa
• Podi
• Rice
• Sambar
• Rasam
• Pickles
• Vegetable dishes
• Traditional Tamil recipes

For many Tamil households, sesame oil is more than just another cooking oil. Its aroma and flavour are part of the character of traditional food.

A Traditional Oil From Tamil Nadu To The Rest Of India

Sesame oil has a particularly strong culinary tradition in Tamil Nadu and other parts of South India. For people who grew up with groundnut, sunflower or other cooking oils, the flavour of Nallennai may be something completely new. That is part of what makes it worth discovering.

Its distinctive sesame aroma and nutty flavour can transform a simple meal of hot rice and podi, or add another layer of flavour to traditional curries and pickles. Whether you are from Tamil Nadu or simply enjoy discovering regional Indian foods, Nallennai is a traditional oil worth trying.

Why Choose Mesmara Black Sesame Oil?

• Black sesame seeds: Made from carefully selected black sesame seeds.
• Cold pressed: The oil is mechanically extracted using a traditional pressing method.
• Wood pressed: The sesame seeds are slowly pressed using a traditional wooden Chekku/Ghani.
• Traditional Nallennai: A traditional sesame oil associated with Tamil cooking and South Indian cuisine.
• Rich sesame aroma: Black sesame gives the oil a distinctive and naturally rich aroma.
• Nutty, distinctive flavour: Its characteristic sesame flavour complements traditional South Indian dishes.
• Unrefined: Mesmara Black Sesame Oil is minimally processed and is not refined, bleached or deodorised.

Black Sesame Oil vs White Sesame Oil

Both black and white sesame seeds can be used to produce sesame oil, but they have different characteristics.

Black Sesame Oil:

• Made from black sesame seeds
• Rich, distinctive sesame character
• Traditionally associated with Nallennai
• Excellent for traditional South Indian cooking
• Suitable for podi, rice, pickles and seasoning

White Sesame Oil:

• Made from white sesame seeds
• Generally milder in flavour
• Commonly used for cooking and traditional pickles
• Popular in different regional cuisines

If you enjoy a more distinctive sesame flavour, Black Sesame Oil is a wonderful way to experience traditional sesame oil.

A Taste Of Tamil Nadu

Tamil cuisine has a beautiful tradition of using sesame oil to complement rather than overpower food. A drizzle of Nallennai over hot rice and podi, sesame oil with idli or dosa, or a little sesame oil in a traditional pickle can add a characteristic aroma and richness to the meal.

Mesmara Black Sesame Oil brings that traditional flavour to your kitchen. Whether you grew up with Nallennai or are discovering it for the first time, this is a simple way to experience a traditional Tamil cooking ingredient.

Never Tried Nallennai? Start With A Familiar Dish

If you normally cook with groundnut, sunflower or other neutral oils, the flavour of sesame oil will be different. That is part of its appeal. Start with simple dishes such as:

• Hot rice with podi
• Idli with podi
• Dosa
• Sambar
• Rasam
• Vegetable poriyal
• Pickles
• Chutneys

Try a small drizzle first and discover how the characteristic flavour of sesame oil works with your favourite South Indian foods.

Sesame Oil For Diyas And Traditional Lamps

Sesame oil has a long-standing traditional association with lighting oil lamps during prayers, religious ceremonies and auspicious occasions.

In parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, sesame oil is traditionally known as Nuvvula Nune and is used by some families for lighting diyas and lamps. In Tamil Nadu, sesame or gingelly oil, known as Nallennai, is also traditionally used for temple and household lamps.

Lighting an oil lamp is an important part of many Indian religious traditions, symbolising light, devotion and auspiciousness. Sesame oil lamps are used in different ways depending on family, temple and regional traditions.

Mesmara Black Sesame Oil can therefore be used not only as a traditional cooking oil, but also for traditional diya and lamp lighting where sesame oil is part of your family's practice. Always use an appropriate lamp, wick and safe surface when lighting oil lamps.

Black Sesame Oil For Podi

One of the simplest ways to enjoy Nallennai is with podi and hot rice. Add a little Mesmara Black Sesame Oil to your favourite podi and mix it with hot rice. The nutty sesame flavour combines naturally with the roasted spices and lentils in traditional podis. Try it with:

• Idli Podi
• Gunpowder Podi
• Curry Leaf Podi
• Peanut Podi
• Sesame Podi
• Andhra-style Podis

Black Sesame Oil For Pickles

Sesame oil has traditionally been used in many Indian pickle preparations. Its characteristic aroma and flavour complement ingredients such as chilli, mustard, garlic, raw mango and other pickle spices. Use Mesmara Black Sesame Oil for:

• Mango Pickle
• Lemon Pickle
• Chilli Pickle
• Garlic Pickle
• Mixed Vegetable Pickle
• Traditional South Indian Pickles

Nallennai For Everyday South Indian Cooking

You don't need a special recipe to enjoy sesame oil. Use it in the dishes you already cook. Try it with:

• Dal
• Sambar
• Rasam
• Poriyal
• Vegetable curries
• Rice
• Podi
• Chutneys
• Pickles
• Traditional Tamil recipes

How Mesmara Black Sesame Oil Is Made

1. Selection of black sesame seeds: Carefully selected black sesame seeds are chosen for oil extraction.
2. Cleaning: The seeds are cleaned to remove unwanted impurities before pressing.
3. Traditional wood pressing: The cleaned black sesame seeds are slowly pressed using a traditional wooden Chekku/Ghani.
4. Natural settling: The freshly pressed oil is allowed to settle naturally.
5. Hygienic packing: The settled oil is carefully packed for your kitchen.

How To Use Black Sesame Oil

• Traditional South Indian cooking: Use it with rice, podi, curries, vegetables and traditional recipes.
• Idli and dosa: Add a little sesame oil to podi or enjoy it with idli and dosa.
• Podi: Sesame oil and podi are a classic combination in South Indian cuisine.
• Pickles: Use it in traditional pickles where the rich sesame flavour complements spices and vegetables.
• Seasoning: Use it for tempering and seasoning traditional dishes.
• Sautéing: Suitable for sautéing vegetables and other savoury ingredients.
• Marinades: Use it as part of savoury marinades where a distinctive sesame flavour is desired.
• Diyas and lamps: Use sesame oil for traditional diya or lamp lighting when this is part of your family's religious or cultural practice.

Cold Pressed vs Refined Sesame Oil

Cold Pressed Sesame Oil:

• Mechanically extracted from sesame seeds
• Traditionally wood pressed
• Characteristic sesame aroma
• Naturally nutty flavour
• Minimally processed
• Not refined, bleached or deodorised

Refined Sesame Oil:

• Goes through additional refining processes
• Typically has a lighter aroma and flavour
• More extensively processed

Mesmara focuses on traditional mechanical extraction and minimal processing to retain the natural character of the sesame seed.

What Does Black Sesame Oil Taste Like?

Black Sesame Oil has a distinctive nutty sesame flavour and a naturally rich aroma. It has a more pronounced character than many neutral cooking oils. If you are new to sesame oil, start with a small amount and gradually adjust it according to your taste. For traditional South Indian dishes, its characteristic flavour is part of the experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Nallennai?
Nallennai is the Tamil term commonly used for sesame oil or gingelly oil.

What is gingelly oil?
Gingelly oil is another name for sesame oil, particularly commonly used in South India.

What is black sesame oil?
Black Sesame Oil is oil extracted from black sesame seeds.

Is Mesmara Black Sesame Oil cold pressed?
Yes. Mesmara Black Sesame Oil is mechanically extracted using a traditional pressing method.

Is Mesmara Black Sesame Oil wood pressed?
Yes. The black sesame seeds are pressed using a traditional wooden Chekku/Ghani.

Is black sesame oil used in Tamil cooking?
Yes. Sesame oil, traditionally known as Nallennai, has a strong association with Tamil and South Indian cooking.

Can I use black sesame oil for idli and dosa?
Yes. Sesame oil can be enjoyed with idli and dosa, particularly with podi.

Can I use black sesame oil with podi?
Yes. Sesame oil and podi are a traditional combination and can be enjoyed with hot rice, idli or dosa.

Can I use black sesame oil for pickles?
Yes. Sesame oil is traditionally used in many South Indian pickle preparations.

Can I use black sesame oil for everyday cooking?
Yes. It can be used for cooking, seasoning, sautéing, traditional recipes and other everyday applications.

Can sesame oil be used for lighting diyas?
Yes. Sesame or gingelly oil is traditionally used for lighting diyas and lamps in many Indian households and religious settings. The practice varies by region and family tradition.

What is the difference between black and white sesame oil?
Black Sesame Oil is made from black sesame seeds and generally has a more distinctive sesame character. White Sesame Oil is made from white sesame seeds and is generally milder in flavour.

What are the ingredients?
Mesmara Black Sesame Oil is made from 100% black sesame seeds.

What other names is sesame oil known by?

• English: Sesame Oil / Gingelly Oil
• Tamil: Nallennai
• Telugu: Nuvvula Nune
• Hindi: Til Ka Tel
• Malayalam: Nallenna
• Kannada: Ellenne

What sizes are available?
Mesmara Black Sesame Oil is available in the pack sizes listed on the product page.

Product At A Glance

• Product: Mesmara Cold Pressed Black Sesame Oil
• Traditional Tamil Name: Nallennai
• English Name: Gingelly Oil / Sesame Oil
• Telugu Name: Nuvvula Nune
• Raw Material: Black Sesame Seeds
• Extraction: Cold Pressed
• Method: Wooden Chekku / Ghani
• Processing: Unrefined
• Flavour: Rich, Nutty and Distinctive
• Aroma: Natural Sesame Aroma
• Best For: South Indian Cooking, Podi, Rice, Pickles, Seasoning and Traditional Recipes
• Additional Traditional Use: Diya and Lamp Lighting
• Ingredients: 100% Black Sesame Seeds
• Traditional Cuisine: Tamil and South Indian Cooking

From Black Sesame Seeds To Traditional Nallennai

At Mesmara, we bring traditional Indian oil-making practices to modern kitchens. Carefully selected black sesame seeds are slowly pressed using a traditional wooden Chekku/Ghani. The freshly pressed oil is then allowed to settle naturally before packing.

The result is a naturally aromatic sesame oil with the distinctive flavour that generations of South Indian families have enjoyed. If you grew up with Nallennai, rediscover the familiar taste. If you have never tried it, discover a traditional Tamil cooking oil and bring a little South Indian culinary heritage to your kitchen.

And if your family traditionally lights sesame oil lamps, Mesmara Black Sesame Oil can also be part of those familiar rituals.

Pure. Traditional. Mesmara.