Sifting

Roasting seeds

This old machine tossed the seeds back and forth and roasted them. I couldn't imagine working this room in the summertime!

Cleaning them!

The seeds were put in a big bag and a water hose ran through it.

Cleaning Seeds

Sesame seeds are black when they are harvested. They have to soak in a big vat and then are run through a machine to separate the black part off. They would then soak them in a tank of water and then clean them off.

Olden days

This taheen factory had an old painting hanging up portraying the old way that taheen was made. There are eight stations in from start to finish involved in turning sesame seeds to taheen.

This painting shows the roasting, sifting, and grinding part.

Taheen

Taheen is a healthy treat sold here. This road-side stand carried taheen, ground sesame seeds, grape syrup and an assortment of nuts.

Taheen is a good peanut butter substitute. The locals pour a little grape syrup or date syrup in a saucer and then pour a layer of taheen across the top. Bread is broken off and dipped into it.

If I would let her, my daughter would live on taheen alone. It goes great with a cup of hot tea.