Tahini paste is a paste made from sesame seeds and is a staple in many cuisines, especially in the Mediterranean and the Middle East. It is a ground sesame butter or paste that is traditionally used in Middle Eastern cuisine and is a key ingredient in dishes such as hummus, baba ghanoush, and tarator. Tahini is also used in sweets, particularly halva, and is gaining popularity as a baking ingredient in the US. Tahini is made of three ingredients: hulled sesame seeds, oil, and sometimes salt. To make tahini paste, sesame seeds are typically toasted then ground and emulsified with oil to create a smooth, creamy seed butter with a pourable consistency. Tahini has an earthy, savory taste, and toasting the seeds before grinding them brings out more of their natural nuttiness and reduces some of their bitterness. Tahini is vegan and gluten-free.