What Exactly is Black Milk?
The inky-black drink that has captured everyone’s attention is black sesame milk. Unlike dairy milk, it’s a plant-based beverage made by blending roasted black sesame seeds with water. The mixture is then strained to create a smooth, creamy liquid that bears
a surprising and sophisticated grey or black colour. Often, nuts like cashews are added for extra creaminess, and natural sweeteners like dates or maple syrup are used to balance the flavour. The process is similar to making other homemade nut milks, such as almond milk, but the result is a visually dramatic and uniquely flavourful drink.
An Ancient Ingredient with Modern Buzz
While it might seem like a new invention for social media, black sesame is one of the oldest cultivated crops in the world, with its use tracing back thousands of years in places like India and China. In both Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, black sesame is revered as a 'superfood'. Ayurveda values it for its nourishing and rejuvenating properties, considering it a 'rasayana' that supports longevity and vitality. It's traditionally used to strengthen bones, nourish skin and hair, and calm the nervous system. In Chinese tradition, it's linked with longevity and is believed to promote glossy, dark hair. So, the recent latte trend is just a modern take on an ancient wellness ritual.
A Nutritional Powerhouse
The appeal of black sesame milk goes beyond its fascinating colour. Black sesame seeds are packed with an impressive array of nutrients. They are an excellent source of minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, copper, and zinc. In fact, they contain significantly more calcium than hulled white sesame seeds. The healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats in the seeds are beneficial for heart health, potentially helping to lower bad cholesterol levels. They are also rich in antioxidants, including unique compounds called lignans (like sesamin and sesamolin), which help protect the body from cellular damage. This dense nutritional profile contributes to benefits ranging from stronger bones to improved skin and hair health.
What Does It Taste Like?
For the uninitiated, the flavour of black sesame milk is a delightful surprise. It has a deep, rich, and nutty taste that is often described as 'toasty' or 'earthy'. It’s more intense and complex than the flavour of white sesame. When blended into milk, the flavour is smooth and comforting, with a subtle, natural sweetness if dates or honey are added. It can be enjoyed warm as a calming latte, which is especially popular in Asian cafés, or served cold over ice for a refreshing drink. Its unique taste makes it a versatile ingredient in smoothies and desserts as well.
Make It At Home: Adah Sharma Style
Inspired to try it yourself? Making black sesame milk at home is surprisingly simple. Following the method shared by Adah Sharma, you start by dry roasting black sesame seeds in a pan until they start to pop. Let them cool, then blend them at high speed with soaked cashews, a couple of pitted dates for sweetness, a pinch of salt, and water. The final step is to strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer or a muslin cloth to separate the smooth milk from the pulp. Adah also suggests a zero-waste tip: the leftover pulp can be used as a gentle and nourishing face scrub.
