How Sesame Seeds
Are Processed
at Our Facility
Our advanced sesame-processing workflow converts raw, field-harvested agricultural material into export-grade commercial sesame through a rigorous series of assessment, mechanical cleaning, physical separation, optical sorting, precision hulling, and specialized packing stages.
We do not employ a "one size fits all" approach. The exact processing sequence is meticulously calibrated depending on the specific product ordered. Natural sesame retains its protective hull and focuses on purity; Natural Sortex sesame receives advanced optical colour sorting to eliminate visual defects; hulled sesame undergoes a comprehensive mechanical hull removal and drying process; and black sesame is carefully processed according to its unique colour consistency and destination grade requirements.
The Complete Processing Workflow
From the moment raw material arrives at our receiving bays to the final sealing of the export container, every step is designed to reduce impurities, stabilize moisture, and guarantee that the final product exactly matches the agreed commercial specification. Explore the chronological stages required to produce premium export-grade sesame.
assignment 1. Incoming Assessment
The processing journey begins before the sesame even enters the main factory floor. Upon arrival, raw sesame batches are systematically sampled and reviewed for baseline moisture levels, natural colour variations, visible foreign material (such as mud, stones, or plant stalks), admixture percentages, and the presence of damaged or immature seeds. We also evaluate the general storage condition of the crop during transit.
This initial triage is absolutely critical. It dictates the machine calibrations required for the subsequent cleaning stages and definitively determines whether a specific raw batch has the inherent potential to reach the buyer's intended commercial grade. Material that fails this initial assessment is rejected or routed to lower-tier processing.
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cleaning_services 2. Pre-Cleaning & Aspiration
Once approved for processing, the raw sesame enters the pre-cleaning phase. Using high-capacity aspirators and coarse screens, this stage focuses entirely on removing large, loose physical impurities. Powerful air currents strip away lightweight dust, chaff, and loose plant material, while vibrating screens separate oversized foreign objects.
Pre-cleaning serves a dual purpose: it instantly elevates the base purity of the batch, and more importantly, it protects our highly sensitive downstream milling and sorting equipment from mechanical damage caused by large debris. This ensures that the subsequent fine-cleaning stages operate at maximum efficiency.
filter_alt 3. Mechanical Destoning
Because sesame seeds are harvested close to the earth, the presence of small stones and mud balls is a common challenge. Destoning is a gravity-based physical separation stage. Using specialized vibrating decks combined with updraft air flow, the machine separates the lighter sesame seeds from denser foreign material like stones, glass, or heavy mud particles that share the same physical size as the seeds.
Note for buyers: Destoning is strictly a physical-cleaning stage utilizing weight and density. It should not be confused with optical colour sorting (which targets visual defects) or laboratory testing (which targets microbiology).
tune 4. Fine Cleaning & Grading
Following the removal of large debris and heavy stones, the sesame undergoes fine cleaning to isolate and remove the smallest impurities, such as fine sand, shrivelled seeds, and weed seeds.
Simultaneously, mechanical graders utilize precise mesh screens to separate the seed according to uniform size and physical dimensions. Consistent seed size is a vital commercial attribute, particularly for bakery applications where uniform roasting and visual presentation on buns or breads are required. The final screen settings are strictly calibrated depending on the specific buyer requirements and the inherent characteristics of the raw material.
camera 5. Optical Colour Sorting
For orders requiring our "Sortex" grades, the mechanically cleaned sesame is fed into advanced optical sorting machinery. High-resolution cameras and sensors evaluate every individual seed in free-fall against configured visual parameters. Using targeted bursts of compressed air, the machine instantly rejects detectable discoloured seeds, faded seeds, and visually abnormal physical defects that mechanical screens cannot catch.
This technology drastically improves the visual consistency of the final batch, making it ideal for high-end confectionery and visible bakery toppings.
Important Limitation: Optical sorting significantly improves visual selection and reduces physical defects. However, it does not prove microbiological safety (like Salmonella or E.coli) or chemical compliance (like pesticide residues). Those require separate laboratory verification.
lens_blur 6. Hull Removal & Drying
For buyers requiring hulled sesame products (typically for Tahini production or delicate bakery applications), the seed is diverted to our hulling line. The outer seed coat is carefully removed through a controlled process of hydration and mechanical friction, which separates the dark, bitter hull from the white kernel inside.
Because water is introduced during this stage, the hulled sesame is immediately passed through advanced drying equipment to stabilize the moisture content back to export-safe levels (typically under 5%). This prevents mould growth and ensures a long, stable shelf life. Thorough separation mechanisms then remove the detached hulls from the final product stream.
biotech 7. Final Quality Assessment
Before any product is permitted to enter the packaging line, representative samples are drawn and rigorously tested against the buyer's agreed specification. This ensures that the entire processing workflow was successful in achieving the desired commercial grade.
Physical Checks
- Purity Percentage
- Foreign Matter Limits
- Defect & Admixture Counts
- Hulling Consistency (if applicable)
Scientific Checks
- Moisture Content Analysis
- Oil Content Verification
- Microbiological Testing (COA)
inventory_2 8. Packaging & Identification
Upon final laboratory approval, the product is dispatched to the packing lines. It is packed strictly according to the confirmed buyer requirements—whether that is in standard 25kg/50kg PP bags, protective paper bags, or bulk jumbo bags, complete with inner polyethylene liners for oceanic transit protection if specified.
Crucially, rigorous batch identification protocols are applied at this stage. Each bag and pallet is labelled to ensure complete traceability, connecting the physical packaged product directly back to its corresponding specification sheet and laboratory documentation. This guarantees accountability from our warehouse to your facility.
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Processing Grade Comparison
Not all sesame is equal. The processing route determines the final commercial grade. Use this comparison to identify the product that meets your application's requirements.
| Parameter | Natural | Natural Sortex | Hulled | Black Sesame |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hull Status | Hull retained | Hull retained | Hull removed | Hull retained (black coat) |
| Optical Sorting | No | Yes — colour graded | Post-hull sort | Colour consistency sort |
| Typical Purity | 99% min | 99.95% min | 99.95% min | 99% min |
| Moisture (Max) | 6% | 6% | 5% (critical — hulled is more hygroscopic) | 6% |
| Primary Use | Oil extraction, bulk seasoning | Bakery toppings, confectionery | Tahini, food manufacturing | Asian cuisine, seasoning, confectionery |
| Colour | Cream/tan | Uniform cream (visually graded) | Bright white | Deep black |