From hummus to your morning brew. The surprising health benefits of adding tahini to coffee

Today, we want to introduce a coffee additive that might be new to you. So far, this ingredient has been primarily associated with hummus, halva, or certain pastries. Now, it's time for morning coffee to join this esteemed list.

We're enthusiasts of enhancing coffee with various ingredients. Of course, we're not talking about flavoured syrups, powdered creamer (or rather its substitute), and other unhealthy additives that, although they may mask the bitterness of the black brew, contribute detrimental qualities to it. Why resort to these when coffee pairs beautifully with wholesome additives that offer health benefits?

A recent trend is to spice up coffee with cinnamon, ginger, or cocoa. While these are all excellent choices, we're excited to introduce something potentially new to you today. It's... tahini. Surprisingly, this key component of hummus and halva makes a superb addition to coffee. And though it's true tahini is calorie-rich, we firmly believe it aids in weight management. Let's delve into the reasons why.

Tahini is a sesame paste made from roasted and milled seeds. It requires no additional ingredients. Although a teaspoon of tahini packs about 42 kcal, incorporating it into your coffee might help you lose weight. This benefit stems from a simple mechanism: the effect of fibre—found plentifully in tahini—on the digestive process and bowel regularity. The outcome is clear: a prolonged sensation of satiety and increased calorie expenditure.

Enhancing your coffee with a teaspoon of tahini assists in weight reduction and bolsters heart health. Sesame paste is an excellent source of B vitamins, calcium, approximately 24 mg of magnesium, roughly 120 mg of potassium, iron, zinc, and essential fatty acids. The antioxidants in sesame seeds, specifically flavonoids and phenols, deserve special mention. Tahini is also a good source of plant protein, essential for a vegan diet, and sesamol—a compound recognised for its antidepressant and anti-inflammatory effects.