Wadaman Seasame - Golden Sesame Oil - Osaka, Japan

WADAMAN SESAME - Osaka, Japan

Five generations of sesame mastery since 1883

Wadaman is recognised as Japan's finest sesame roaster, a family business now led by Etsuji Wada, the fourth-generation master roaster with over 45 years of experience. Based in Osaka's historic Tenma district - where dried food specialists have gathered since the Edo period - Wadaman does one thing extraordinarily well: sesame.

The Triple-Roasting Technique

What sets Wadaman apart is their unique triple-roasting process: low temperature, then high, then low again. This meticulous technique creates perfectly round seeds with a delicate, nuanced flavour unlike any other. For their oils, they use only the first pressing, requiring 5kg of seeds to produce just 1 litre of oil - resulting in an elegant, bright, clear oil that's subtle rather than overpowering.

Growing Their Own

Since 2010, Wadaman has been committed to growing sesame in Japan, working with over 200 contracted farmers across the country and farming their own organic fields in Nara Prefecture. Their JAS organic certification (since 2002) ensures production without pesticides or chemical fertilisers. They also source from the world's best growers in Turkey, Egypt, Bolivia, and Ethiopia. They started to grow their own when they realised that Japan was only growing 1% of the sesame they were consuming. And they have since made a community of this project, contracting other small farmers to grow the sesame as well.  This is an exciting project that includes small land holders like schools as well etc.

The family's philosophy? Time, effort, passion, and love are the secrets behind truly delicious products.

NOTES: This is gorgeous, rich, velvety and golden with a beautiful, fresh, nutty flavour.  If all you have is a bowl of steamed rice and this to drizzle on it - you are rich. x (ok maybe also some pickles, and a dash of good tamari, (I love smoked) and maybe some Katsuoboshi). In any case - Sesame oil drizzled on Kimchi and sprinkled with the seeds is next level. x

Keen to learn a bit more about what this plant looks like, how it's dried etc. Have a look at their website:  here.  It's really exciting and inspiring work.