Navigating Sesame Allergies in Middle Eastern Desserts

Middle Eastern desserts captivate food lovers with fragrant spices, delicate pastries, and unique textures. But for those with sesame allergies, these sweet treats can pose serious risks. Sesame appears in many traditional desserts either as a star ingredient or a hidden component—making vigilance essential when dining out.

Sesame's Sweet Disguise

Look beyond obvious sesame-seed garnishes:

• Halva: Primary ingredient is sesame paste (tahini)
• Baklava: Often topped with crushed pistachios/almonds coated in sesame
• Simit cookies: Contain both sesame paste and seeds
• Tahini-based sweets: Used in frostings, fillings, and sauces like date molasses blends
• Unassuming garnishes: Sesame seeds adorn kunafa, ma'amoul, and sesame brittle

Cross-Contamination Risks

Shared kitchen equipment (grinders, presses, baking trays) frequently causes accidental exposure. Oils used for frying may contain sesame residue from previous dishes.

Safe Dining Strategies

The mm food app helps you navigate menus confidently:

1. Translate foreign-language menus instantly to identify sesame terms: tahini, سمسم (simsim), or راشي (rashi)
2. Set dietary alerts for "sesame" in the app's allergen tracker
3. Receive dish-specific warnings when AI detects sesame in menu descriptions
4. Find sesame-free alternatives suggested by our ingredient analysis

Essential Communication Tips

Always inform servers about your allergy severity—especially since sesame labeling regulations vary globally. Request fresh gloves/utensils and ask if oils or pastry brushes are shared.

Embrace Dessert Safely

Enjoy sesame-free options like:

• Rosewater-infused muhallebi (milk pudding)
• Saffron sholeh zard (rice pudding)
• Cardamom basbousa (semolina cake) verified via mm food's allergen scan

With the mm food app, savor authentic Middle Eastern sweetness without the sesame anxiety. Scan menus, set alerts, and dine with confidence!