Tag: Oilseed

Over 3 million smallholders in Ethiopia and India are involved in the production of niger seeds. However, for many, the tiny black seeds are simply known as a specialized bird food for finches. This versatile seed, also called nyjer, ramtil, or kahrale, has a rich history of human consumption and offers a surprising array of culinary, health, and gardening applications.

According to the University of Minnesota's Forever Green Initiative, field pennycress is a winter annual oilseed that shows great promise as a new cash crop for modern growers. This unassuming plant, long considered a nuisance weed, is now valued for its soil-improving qualities and oil-rich seeds, presenting a new opportunity in sustainable agriculture.

Sesame seeds are a nutritional powerhouse, with a 1/4 cup of unhulled seeds containing more calcium than a cup of milk. However, a common misconception exists regarding its botanical classification, with many wondering: is sesame seed a pulse or cereal? The simple answer is that it is neither; it is an oilseed derived from a flowering plant.

For thousands of years, sesame has been a staple crop, making it one of the oldest cultivated oilseeds known to humanity. So, **what type of food is sesame seed**? This tiny, versatile ingredient is classified as a flavorful and nutrient-dense oilseed, prized in global cuisines.

Botanically, the soybean (Glycine max) is classified as an annual legume from the Fabaceae family, the same family as peas, lentils, and clover. This fact immediately clarifies the common confusion: a soybean is definitively a legume, not a grain.

While both flaxseed and whole grains are celebrated for their health benefits, the Whole Grains Council, the FDA, and other authorities confirm that **flaxseed is not considered a grain**. Instead, it is botanically and nutritionally classified as an oilseed. This distinction is crucial for anyone managing their diet, particularly for those on low-carb, grain-free, or specific dietary plans.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), while all pulses are legumes, not all legumes are pulses. This critical distinction helps explain the classification of many common foods, including groundnuts, which are scientifically a type of legume but are not considered a pulse.

Peanut seeds contain approximately 44–56% oil on a dry weight basis, a fact that classifies them as a significant oilseed crop globally. This substantial percentage of fat is a key reason peanuts are processed for oil, peanut butter, and countless other applications.

Taramira seeds are a rich source of protein. Scientific research indicates these seeds contain approximately 30.27% crude protein on a dry matter basis. This high level makes them a valuable component of a healthy diet.

Originating in India over 3,000 years ago, sesame (*Sesamum indicum*) was one of the first oilseed crops cultivated by humans. The question of what is a sesame seed classified as can be answered by exploring its botanical identity as a seed, not a nut or legume, as well as its important culinary and allergen classifications.