SKU: 72606122083
benne seeds for planting

benne seeds for planting Benne (Sesame) – UJAMAA SEEDS

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Description

benne seeds for planting 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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AreTrue
Lowell, US
★★★★★ 4
Smell
Size: Queen (2 Count), Color: Original White (Cooling)
The fact that there are not more comments on the smell of these pillows has me worried about some of yall. Listen, I LOVE the weight, and the firmness, it’s perfect for that. However, these pillows are RANK. They have a very strong mildew-ish smell that lingers. I took the outer cover off and washed it and let the pillow air out for a few days, the smell is still very strong when you press your face against it, which one does because it is in fact designed for that purpose. It smells so bad. It’s nauseating. I can smell it through two pillowcases and blanket that I threw on top of them hoping an extra layer would trap the smell. I’ll bake them in the Texas sun tomorrow and hope that helps, because otherwise these are the perfect pillows for someone who wants to feel like they are hugging a torso but can’t stand the sound/feel of someone else breathing. I don’t know…4 stars, if the smell goes away I’ll come back. Update: many many days later. Either they don’t really smell anymore or I got use to it. They’ve held their firmness and shape well. I like them.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2026
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Samantha
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 5
Actually Cooling Pillow
Size: Queen (1 Count), Color: Original White (Cooling)
This is a really nice pillow, I was worried it would be too soft or too firm but it's just right and it's actually cooling, it feels cool every time I touch it. I've noticed an improvement in sleep since using it. Would recommend!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2026
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Tyler and Kaela
Grantham, US
★★★★★ 5
Repurchased in King Size – Still Love These Cooling Pillows
Size: King (2 Count), Color: Original White (Cooling), Size: King (2 Count), Color: Original White (Cooling)
After using the queen-size version of these pillows for over a year, we purchased the king-size set when we upgraded to a king mattress. Both my husband and I really like them. The cooling feature works well, and we like that each side feels different—when I run cold, I use the softer bamboo side, while my husband prefers the cooler side since he tends to sleep hot. They fit well in our king-size pillowcases and feel supportive in all sleeping positions, whether I’m on my stomach, side, or back. I also appreciate that you can remove some of the filling to adjust the firmness. The covers are washable, which makes them easy to maintain. Overall, we’re very happy with this repurchase and the long-lasting comfort.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2026
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Mystery Fan
Alexandria, US
★★★★★ 3
Not great at cooling
Size: Queen (2 Count), Color: Original White (Cooling)
Each pillow cover has 2 sides, one marked for cooling, and the other a different fabric. The cooling side is about the same effectiveness as having a silk or satin pillow cover. It's only cool when you first touch it. The cooling side doesn't seem to absorb or wick moisture, so if you are sweaty - it keeps the moisture in place. You'll definitely want a regular pillow case over the pillow cover. In fact, if you suffer from night sweats, the non-cooling side is actually more comfortable. The pillow fill is ample, and simple to squish around for more support for your neck, etc. Think bean bag. But it will retain your impression after use. I find I need to do as I did when I had down pillows - give it a few good shakes in the morning when I make the bed to get it evened out for the coming night. In all, it is a well-made and comfortable pillow to sleep on, but it does not excel in cooling.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2026
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Carol C
West Palm Beach, US
★★★★★ 5
excellent pillows i bought two sets!!
Size: Firm Queen (2 Count), Color: Original White (Cooling)
I ordered these for my son who has neck issues and has gone through so many pillows trying to find one that he liked. They’re heavy, so i was worried that they might be “too” heavy to be able to sleep on comfortably, so I ordered a second set, one firmer than the other (just in case) and gave him a set for Xmas and he loved the first set so much without even trying the less firm ones.He also needs the cooling factor and these offered that, too. They are filled with pieces of memory foam (tons of it) and each pillow can be modified by removing some of the foam. The covers are beautiful, high quality fabric with a zipper so ts easy to remove or replace the foam pieces. The size is perfect and they keep their shape. I kept the second set i ordered rather than returning them and i love the pillows. I actually modified two by removing some of the foam pieces. I kept the foam pieces in a zippered pillow protector and i can always adjust mine when or if i need to. 1000% love these.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2026

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