Black sesame is such a versatile ingredient and flavor! It’s nutty, slightly bittersweet, has an amazing aroma, and works well in drinks and baked goods. This black sesame einspanner is a modern take on the flavor and is sweet and creamy.

The black sesame pairs perfectly with coffee, adding a great roasted and nutty flavor. It’s fun to make and also healthy (ish) for you!

Here’s how to make a black sesame einspanner latte at home!

What is Black Sesame?

Black sesame is a variety of sesame, a long, stalky plant. The seeds are inside the sesame fruit, and when ripe, the fruit releases the seeds into the air. (This is where the saying “open sesame” comes from!)

Sesame seeds are tiny, tear-drop-shaped seeds with a crisp exterior and satisfying crunch. Black sesame seeds, in particular, come with dark hulls, which add to the flavor and aroma of the seed. They are nutty, slightly bitter-sweet, and crunchy!

Black sesame is a huge flavor in Asia, particularly in East Asia, where it’s used in many desserts, baked goods, rice toppings, drinks, sweets, and more. It’s often toasted and used whole or ground into a paste or powder.

Black Sesame vs White Sesame

Black sesame and white sesame are technically not the same. However, the seeds are the same and come from the same plant. This means black, brown, and white sesame seeds are the same seed and come from the same plant.

The difference between black and white sesame seeds is that white sesame seeds are hulled while black sesame seeds are not. A hull is the outer shell or coating of a seed, and sesame seeds are usually harvested with a black or brown hull.

The hulling process changes the seed’s texture, color, flavor, and aroma. White sesame seeds are nutty and sweeter without the hull and are used mainly in sweets or desserts.

Black sesame seeds have a nuttier flavor in comparison and have an earthy and bitter-sweet flavor. Black sesame seeds are used in savory dishes, but many Asian cultures use them for both savory and sweet dishes.

What Does a Sesame Latte Taste Like?

Black sesame “lattes” are popular in China, Japan, and Korea! It doesn’t have any coffee so it’s caffeine free. It’s essentially black sesame milk but with a fancy name.

It’s made by grounding black sesame seeds into a paste or using a premade paste, then adding it to hot water. Once that black sesame concentrate is made, add milk and a sweetener!

The black sesame lattes taste incredibly nutty and creamy, with a distinct smoky flavor from the dark hull. It has a very unique flavor, almost toasted.

Black sesame lattes are really popular with adults and the elderly because they are known to be healthy food. It’s a great, easy way to get in some fiber and antioxidants!

This recipe includes coffee, but you can make it without it to get the same benefits!

Are Sesame Seeds Healthy?

As mentioned, many older people like black sesame seeds because they consider them healthy. And they’d be correct!

Black sesame seeds are known for being an all-around nutrient bank, packed with protein, healthy fats, fatty acids, vitamins, amino acids, and more. That’s why health-conscious people love eating black sesame seeds!

A lot of the nutrients from the black hull, which white sesame seeds lack. As a result, white sesame seeds do not contain as many nutrients as black sesame seeds.

What is an Einspanner?

An einspänner, or Viennese coffee, is a hot beverage made with espresso topped with lots of whipped cream. It started in Austria in the 19th century to keep warm coffee for coachmen and carriage drivers.

The name einspanner is German for “one-horse carriage,” which comes from the one-horse carriages that were popular at the time, the equivalent of modern-day taxis. The whipped cream helped keep the coffee insulated and prevented it from spilling as coachmen drove the carriage and waited in the cold for their next patron.

Now, you can find this delicious drink worldwide with different renditions of the classic drink. You’ll find delicious whipped cream on lattes, matcha, cold brew, and more, including black sesame lattes (with and without coffee).

How to Make a Black Sesame Einspanner Latte

Here’s what you’ll need to make a black sesame einspanner latte at home:

• Black sesame seeds or paste
• Sugar
• Milk
• Ice
• Espresso
• Heavy cream

Black Sesame Einspanner Latte Recipe

First, make the black sesame paste if you are using black sesame seeds.

Add black sesame seeds to a food processor, then blend until the black sesame seeds are ground finely. Then, add your ground black sesame, sugar, and water to a small pot and boil the mixture until you get a paste. You can also omit the water and use it as a powder.

Alternatively, you can add black sesame seeds, sugar, and a bit of neutral oil to get a paste without cooking.

Then, make the black sesame cream! Add heavy cream and a little black sesame paste to a cup or bowl. Whip the cream using a handheld frother or electric whisk until soft peaks form. The cream should be fluffy but not stiff and still pourable.

Combine black sesame paste with milk until well combined.

Brew 1-2 shots of espresso or a strong coffee equivalent.

Add ice and milk into a separate cup and top with your black sesame espresso or strong coffee. Then, top the drink with your black sesame cream.

Mix and enjoy!

What Goes Well With Black Sesame?

You can enjoy this drink with a variety of snacks or dishes! I love making a black sesame einspanner when I want something nutty and creamy while eating a crumbly cookie or moist cake.

However, if you want to experiment with different flavors, these are some flavors that go well with black sesame:

• Coconut
• Ginger
• Vanilla
• Matcha
• Peanut
• Honey
• Chocolate
• Cinnamon
• Most fruits

How to Drink Einspanners

Before you mix the cream and drink together, try drinking it from the top through the cream. Tilt your beverage 45 degrees and get a sip of both the cream and drink. Make sure you don’t get a sip full of cream!

Then, mix your cream into the drink for an ultra-creamy beverage that is sweet and delicious. It might take some stirring to mix the cream into the drink thoroughly. Most of the cream will stay at the top, too, so get in there!

Tips

Here are some tips for making a creamy black sesame einspanner latte at home!

• You can buy black sesame paste from most Asian or Western grocery stores. At Asian stores, they’ll come in either a bag with a spout or a lidded jar.
• The seeds may produce oil if you blend them enough when making black sesame paste. That’s because sesame seeds are almost half oil, so it’s normal!