Sesame oil turns up in two different parts of the shop, and the bottles can look alike. Using the wrong one changes the taste of a dish, so check the label before you pay.
Toasted or plain
Toasted sesame oil is pressed from roasted seeds. It has a deep, nutty smell and burns quickly, so use it as a finishing oil. Stir it into noodles, dressings and marinades at the end of cooking.
Plain or light sesame oil is pressed from raw seeds. It has a mild taste and a higher smoke point, so it suits frying. Most recipes that simply say sesame oil mean the toasted type.
Where to find each one
Toasted sesame oil is usually in the world food aisle, on the shelf with the Chinese and Japanese ingredients near soy sauce. Plain sesame oil is more often with the cooking oils. Check both places if the shelf you expect is empty.
What to check on the bottle
Look at the colour and the ingredients. Toasted oil is a deep amber to brown. A pure sesame oil lists only sesame seed oil. Some blended products add cheaper oils, which weaken the flavour.
Buy a smaller bottle if you do not cook with it often. Sesame oil can turn stale once opened, especially in a warm kitchen, so a small bottle used within a few months tastes better than a large one that sits for a year.
Brands to look for
Yutaka, Clearspring and Lee Kum Kee all make toasted sesame oil that is widely sold in the UK. Clearspring offers an organic option for those who want one.
Storage
Keep the bottle in a cool, dark cupboard. Once opened, check the label, since some brands ask you to refrigerate it.
To make your own toasted seeds to use with the oil, see our guide to how to toast sesame seeds. For a dish that uses the oil in its sauce, try our sesame chicken recipe.