Introducing our October Flavour of the Month: Black Sesame

Black Sesame: A Distinctive Asian-Inspired Flavour

Our October Flavour of the Month is Black Sesame — a distinctive ingredient bringing rich, nutty and subtly earthy character to modern food and beverage innovation.

Deeply rooted in Asian cuisine, black sesame has traditionally been used across both sweet and savoury applications. Today, its sophisticated roasted profile is gaining wider attention as consumers seek more distinctive and globally inspired flavour experiences. In particular, black sesame is seeing a surge in beverage innovation, appearing in lattes, teas, milk-based drinks and premium beverage concepts where its rich, toasted character adds depth and complexity.

Black sesame offers excellent versatility across categories. It pairs naturally with familiar indulgent flavours such as vanilla, chocolate, caramel and coconut, while also complementing contemporary Asian-inspired profiles including matcha, yuzu and hojicha. Its nutty depth also works well alongside fruit, floral and lightly savoury notes, creating opportunities for both indulgent and more sophisticated flavour combinations.

From beverages and dairy to desserts, confectionery and bakery, black sesame provides a distinctive twist on familiar formats. Its deep colour and recognisable appearance also bring a strong visual identity to finished products, helping products stand out while delivering a flavour profile that feels both premium and increasingly familiar.

As interest in Asian-inspired flavours continues to grow, black sesame offers an exciting opportunity to bring depth, contrast and a sophisticated roasted character to new product development.

Whether you’re creating the next standout latte or tea, developing a premium dessert, or looking to bring an unexpected Asian-inspired twist to your confectionery or bakery range, Black Sesame offers a distinctive and versatile profile that’s sure to make an impression.

Get in touch with our experts at info@nactarome.com or contact your Account Manager to request a sample.