85 days to maturity. Sesame indicum. Kurogoma Black Sesame Seeds. Annual. Black sesame seeds differ from other sesame seeds in both color and flavor—they pack a huge punch compared to white or tan varieties! If you’re looking to add some zest to your usual dishes, grow some Kurogoma sesame. If you have a long, warm growing season, then these seeds will grow very well. If you don’t have a long season, no worries; you can start them indoors instead. Once you harvest your seeds, you can roast, dry, or grind them as you wish. About 13000 seeds an ounce.

How to Grow Kurogoma Black Sesame Seeds

If you live in USDA zones 9-10, you can direct sow your seeds in your garden. Choose a location with full sun and well-drained soil and sow roughly an eighth of an inch deep. If you don’t live in these zones, start indoors four to six weeks before your last frost date and transplant outdoors. Keep plants consistently moist, but avoid overwatering.

Harvesting Kurogoma Sesame

Sesame seeds can be harvested once the seed pods start to dry out and open on the bottom branches. Cut the branches and bring indoors to finish drying. Once the seed pods are brown, shake them out over a bowl, bucket, or cloth to catch the seeds. If your growing season is short and you’re worried about losing your seeds, harvest the pods while they’re still green and dry indoors. They’ll still taste great even though they take a bit longer to dry! Follow the same steps as above to collect the seeds.

Culinary Tips

Sesame seeds are commonly used in Japanese cuisine. Try adding these seeds for a nutty kick in your sushi, or make some unique tahini! Another great choice is ohitashi, a spinach side dish that uses sesame seeds to add flavor. If you really love sesame seeds, you could even roast them and eat them on their own!

Seeds Per Package:

• 3 g packet - Approximately 1,404 Seeds