SKU: 69350046148
benne seed plant

benne seed plant Benne (Sesame) – UJAMAA SEEDS

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Description

benne seed plant Benne (Sesame) – UJAMAA SEEDSSesamum indicum Seeds per packet ~ 125 Germination: 94% Oct 2025, Packed for 2026 Origins and History Benne, also known as sesame (Sesamum indicum), is one of the worlds oldest oilseed crops, with domestication traced back over 3,000 years to Africa and India. Believed to have originated in India, and domesticated in Africa since at least the time of the Pharaohs. Even today, the east African nation of Sudan produces the largest crop of sesame seeds.

Sesamum indicum

Seeds per packet ~ 125

Germination: 94%  Oct 2025, Packed for 2026

Origins and History

Benne, also known as sesame (Sesamum indicum), is one of the world’s oldest oilseed crops, with domestication traced back over 3,000 years to Africa and India.  Believed to have originated in India, and domesticated in Africa since at least the time of the Pharaohs. Even today, the east African nation of Sudan produces the largest crop of sesame seeds. It traveled across trade routes into the Middle East and Asia, where it became an integral part of food and culture.

In the Americas, benne was brought through the transatlantic slave trade, particularly to the Carolinas, where African-descended people cultivated it and preserved traditional uses. Today, heirloom benne is celebrated as a culturally meaningful seed, especially in African American foodways and Southern heritage cuisine. The term "benne," comes from the Gullah-Geechee people (descendants of formerly enslaved people who developed a unique culture living in relative isolation on the Sea Islands of Georgia and South Carolina.

Appearance and Characteristics

The benne plant is an upright annual reaching 2–4 feet tall, with lance-shaped green leaves and delicate tubular flowers that can be white to pale pink. After pollination, the plant produces slender, oblong pods filled with small, flat seeds that can range in color from ivory to tan, brown, or black. Seeds are highly aromatic, with heirloom benne often noted for its richer, more complex flavor compared to modern sesame.

Culinary Uses

Benne seeds are prized for their nutty taste and versatility. They can be eaten raw, toasted, or pressed for oil. In African American traditions, heirloom benne is used in breads, stews, rice dishes, and notably in “benne wafers,” a signature sweet of the Lowcountry. The seeds also enrich sauces, garnish vegetables, and add protein and depth to both savory and sweet dishes. Unlike some modern sesame, heirloom benne retains its bold aroma and flavor after cooking. Sesame benne seeds are a common ingredient in Southern cuisine, especially in dishes from the Lowcountry region. They are often toasted to enhance their flavor and used in a variety of recipes, such as: cookies, rice, grits, salads, and seasoning.

Growing Tips

Benne thrives in warm climates and performs well in USDA Zones 7–11, though it can be grown as a summer annual in cooler regions. Sow seeds directly into well-drained soil after danger of frost, at a depth of about ¼ inch, spacing plants 6–12 inches apart. The crop prefers full sun and tolerates drought once established, though consistent moisture during early growth ensures strong stands. It grows best in sandy or loamy soils with good drainage, making it suitable for many Southern gardens.

Harvesting Guidance

Benne is typically ready to harvest 90–120 days after sowing. As the pods mature, they dry and split open, releasing seeds—a process called “shattering.” To prevent loss, harvest just before pods fully split, cutting stems and allowing them to dry upside down in bundles over a cloth to catch the falling seeds. Once dry, seeds can be shaken or threshed free, cleaned, and stored in airtight containers in a cool, dry place. Properly stored, heirloom benne seeds retain their flavor and viability for several years.

 

Botanical Origins of Sesamun indicum

Sesamum indicum, commonly known as sesame, is one of the world’s oldest oilseed crops, belonging to the family Pedaliaceae. Its wild relatives are distributed primarily in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of the Indian subcontinent. The most probable center of origin is thought to be Africa, where several wild Sesamum species still grow, particularly in Ethiopia. However, genetic and archaeological evidence also points to an early secondary center of domestication in the Indian subcontinent, where the species has been cultivated for millennia. The crop’s drought tolerance and adaptability to marginal soils contributed to its early success as a dependable source of edible oil.

History of Domestication

Domestication of Sesamum indicum likely occurred over 3,000 years ago. Archaeological remains from the Indus Valley Civilization (around 2500–2000 BCE) suggest sesame was already under cultivation in ancient India, where it may have been domesticated from the wild species S. mulayanum. In ancient Mesopotamia, sesame oil was valued both for cooking and for ritual uses, indicating its early trade and cultural significance. The plant’s small seeds, high oil content (up to 60%), and relatively easy extraction process made it a vital early oilseed crop. Selective cultivation favored non-shattering seed pods, increased seed size, and improved oil quality.

Spread and Diversification

From its centers of domestication, sesame spread widely through early trade routes. It reached China by at least 2000 BCE, where it was used in traditional medicine and culinary preparations. Ancient Egyptian records also reference sesame as a food and medicinal oil, and the Greeks and Romans later adopted it into their diets. Over centuries, Sesamum indicum diversified into numerous landraces and varieties adapted to local climates—ranging from black and brown to white-seeded forms—each associated with distinct cultural and culinary uses. Today, sesame is cultivated in more than 70 countries, with major production centers in India, China, Sudan, Myanmar, and Nigeria. Its genetic diversity reflects centuries of human selection for flavor, seed color, oil content, and adaptability, making it both an ancient and continually evolving crop of global significance.

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Kimmi Bear
New York, US
★★★★★ 4
DONT BUY THE ELEPHANT, ITS NO GOOD. but GR8 BRAND!
Color: Checkers - Elephant (Gray), Size: Large
The elephant toy had no trunk by the FIRST day! The elephant now looks like an angry Koala bear OR an angry trunk less elephant(whichever u want to say) I LOVE the donkey and dinosaur toys so I bought the elephant confidently, thinking I had nothing to worry about. I wouldn't have spent money on this knowing the trunk would be chewed off in a matter of minutes. My Bella usually chews but she has had her donkey and dinosaurs with the chew guard for MONTHS and there are NO TEARS OR RIPS even with her playing and chewing on them ROUGHLY all day. If you buy any of these type toys I DO highly recommend the donkey or dinosaurs ONLY. The elephant being chewed up in a matter of minutes really makes me angry that I ever spent the money on it. HAD I known it wouldn't be the high quality dog toy I'm used to from GoDog, I would've just bought a second donkey or dino! Now Bella doesn't get her new toy for the month (I try 2 buy her a new stuffed toy or 2 about 1 time a month whenever I have the extra money for it) I guess she will have to go without this month because I spent it on this now trunkless elephant/angry koala:( Whichever name you call it, it is now going to be trash. UPDATE! If you contact the GODOG company they will send one replacement toy for your pet! They also asked me my pet's size, breed and age in order to send the best possible toy! They sent Bella a snake that has held up Extremely WELL! It's great and so far is my favorite(and one of Bella's favorites) The snake has less sqeaky things in it so she doesn't have the drsire to tear it apart immediately to retrieve them by rippong it to shreds:) My updated rating is for the MANUFACTURER'S GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE. The fact that they actually replaced it was good but the fact that they went that extra mile by researching the best toy match for my Bella was above and beyond! If you have a Godog toy that went bust right away, contact the manufacturer for a replacement. If you give them your dog's age, weight and breed they will even try to match your pets replacement toy with something that is better suited to your dog's chewing style. (Bella's style is destructive haha) Good luck, ya'll!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2016
B
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Becky Darling
Lowell, US
★★★★★ 5
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ FINALLY! A toy that can handle my furry demolition expert!
Flavor Name: Beef, Size: Large
Let me tell you about Moxie, my 97-pound Rottweiler who has made it her life's mission to destroy every single toy that dares enter our home. This girl has teeth that could probably open cans and jaws that make nutcrackers jealous. I've spent more money on "indestructible" dog toys than I care to admit, only to find sad little pieces scattered across my living room within hours. BUT THEN... enter the Tikaton Indestructible Dog Chew Toy! 🎉 I'll be honest - I bought this with zero expectations. Just another victim for Moxie's reign of terror, right? WRONG! This bone has been in our house for THREE MONTHS and it's still going strong! Sure, Moxie has made some progress (she's persistent, I'll give her that), but this thing is holding up like a champ against her industrial-strength chompers. The best part? Moxie is absolutely OBSESSED. She carries this bone around like it's her precious treasure, gnawing away contentedly for hours. It's given my furniture, shoes, and sanity a much-needed break! Pros: Actually lives up to the "indestructible" claim (mostly!) Keeps my destruction-loving pup busy for hours Great value - lasting months instead of minutes No weird smell or toxic materials Cons: Nothing is truly indestructible when facing Hurricane Moxie, but this comes pretty darn close! Fellow owners of canine wrecking balls - THIS IS THE ONE! Your wallet and your home will thank you. Update: Month 4 and still chewing! Moxie approves this message with enthusiastic tail wags.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2025
M
Verified Purchase
Michael Krakowiak
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
Beef is her favorite
Flavor Name: Beef, Size: Large, Flavor Name: Beef, Size: Large
Our Belgian Malinois loves them, her favorite is the beef, as you can see. They last several months, we swap them out around the 3 to 4 month mark.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2026
S
Verified Purchase
Shopper
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 4
Great buy-read update
Flavor Name: Beef, Size: Large
My dog loved it right away. Kept going from his old bone to this one and finally just stuck with this one. My dog is a 90 pound 1.5 year old German Shepherd. The size is fine. I don’t know what the other people were talking about when they said the large was too small for big dogs. It’s not indestructible, after one day there were serious gouges on it, but it looks like it’s going to last quite awhile. I will say, he’s not able to gnaw off little pieces of it, and that’s a great thing. I couldn’t give it five stars, because we just received it, and the dog has only had it for a few days. So it’s 4 stars. ****UPDATE**** As of Jan. 1, 2021, the bone is in the trash. The thing seemed to get softer and come apart more easily the more he chewed. I was finding little pieces all over and god only knows much of it he swallowed. Now I give it 3 stars.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2020
A
Verified Purchase
ali l
Natrona Heights, US
★★★★★ 5
Yes it's for aggressive chewers
Flavor Name: Beef, Size: Medium, Flavor Name: Beef, Size: Medium
I have 2 dogs a malti poo and 120 lb pit rotty mix. My son just moved in with his 8 month old pitty/ 90 lbs. needless to say we have purchased sooo many bones and toys, always have to have bones for them all or they argue and fight. This bone we have had for about 8 -9 days.. They all chew on it non stop and it is still fully intact with a few rough areas where they chewed up the suface. The picture was taken today. But keep in mind they will typically go through a large elk antler ($40) in about 4-5 days.. down to splinters. but not this bone. I got the beef. It does have a slight smell, kind of beefy but no worse than some other bones we bought. Only noticed it taking it out of the package. They all enjoy it. I was worried they wouldn't be interested because it's fake.. but no. I will definitely purchase a few more cuz when someone isn't home the pitty will chew shoes or remotes, etc. Every day was a new surprise. But he hasn't touched anything since we got this bone. I would definitely recommend for aggressive chewers and the price is reasonable.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2025

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