Sesame is an ancient spice, one of the first recorded plants used for its seeds. One of the first oil seeds known to humankind, sesame seeds have been widely employed in culinary as well as traditional medicines for their nutritive, preventive, and curative properties. Sesame seeds are small, almost oblate in shape. Toasted seeds feature pleasant, nutty flavor. Open sesame—the famous phrase from the Arabian Nights—reflects the distinguishing feature of the sesame seed pod, which bursts open when it reaches maturity. Sesame seed is a common ingredient in various cuisines. It is used whole in cooking for its rich, nutty flavor. The seeds are especially rich in mono-unsaturated fatty acid, oleic acid, which comprises up to 50% fatty acids in them.