Tahini (also
tahina ; ) is an oily paste made from toasted
ground hulled sesame seeds used in
North African,
Armenian,
Greek,
Israeli,
Cypriot,
Iranian,
Turkish,
Iraqi, and
Levantine cuisines. Tahini is served as a
dip on its own or as a major component of
hummus,
baba ghanoush, and
halva.