Help & Support

Questions, answered.

Everything you might want to know about our tahini — from what's in the jar to how to get it on your shelf. If you don't find your answer below, drop us a line.

01 — The Product

What's in the jar.

What ingredients are in SimSim Tahini?

One ingredient: 100% hulled Humera white sesame seeds. No oils, no salt, no emulsifiers, no preservatives. The way tahini should be.

Is your tahini really nut-free?

Yes. Our facility is purpose-built for tahini only — no peanuts, tree nuts, gluten, dairy, or soy are handled anywhere on the premises. Botanically, sesame is a seed, not a nut. You won't find "may contain peanuts" on our label because there genuinely aren't any in the building.

What is Humera sesame, and why does it matter?

Humera is a premium white sesame variety grown in Ethiopia's Humera region — prized worldwide for its creamy-white colour, naturally sweet flavour, and exceptionally high oil content. We tested six varieties before choosing it. Ours is graded at 99.98% purity, traceable from HACCP-certified facilities, with Halal and Kosher certification.

Is it hulled or unhulled?

Our Original is hulled — meaning the outer husks are removed before grinding. This gives a smoother texture, milder flavour, and the classic creamy-pale colour most cooks expect from tahini. An unhulled "whole seed" version with more fibre and a darker, earthier profile is in development.

Is it vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free?

Yes to all three. Plus non-GMO and made in a dedicated allergen-conscious facility. Six certifications, one jar.

How do I know my tahini is actually pure?

Pure tahini should be one ingredient: sesame. Cheaper jars can hide starches, vegetable oils, peanuts or low-grade seed — changes you can't always taste. Ours is 100% Humera sesame, fresh-milled in a dedicated facility, with nothing added and nothing else handled on site. If you'd like the full picture of how tahini gets cut and how purity is tested, we wrote it all down here.

02 — Storage & Use

Getting the most from your jar.

Why does the oil separate in my jar?

That's a great sign — it means the tahini is pure sesame with no stabilisers or emulsifiers added. Just give it a thorough stir before use. A butter knife or chopstick works better than a spoon for the first stir, since you can reach the bottom more easily.

How should I store it?

A cool, dry cupboard is fine — refrigeration isn't necessary. If you do refrigerate it after opening, it'll firm up considerably; let it sit at room temperature for an hour before stirring. Best used within 12 months of opening.

How long does it last unopened?

Best-before date is printed on every jar — generally 18 months from production. Because our tahini is fresh-milled in small batches, your jar is always far younger than imported tahini, which often sits in containers for months before reaching New Zealand.

Can I bake and cook with it?

Absolutely — that's most of the fun. Tahini works in dressings, dips (hummus, baba ganoush), sauces (lemon-tahini, miso-tahini), baking (cookies, brownies, banana bread), and sweets (halva). Get in touch if you'd like recipe ideas from our kitchen.

03 — Orders & Shipping

Getting it to your door.

Where do you ship to?

Anywhere in Aotearoa New Zealand. Free shipping on orders over $60, flat-rate $8 below that. Rural delivery surcharge applies in remote areas.

How long does delivery take?

Standard delivery is 2–4 business days; rural delivery is 4–6. We pack and ship from Waiuku within one business day of receiving your order.

Do you ship outside New Zealand?

Not currently for retail orders. We're focused on Aotearoa for now. For trade enquiries from Australia or the Pacific, please reach out to our wholesale team — we may be able to help with bulk orders.

What's your returns policy?

Unopened jars can be returned within 14 days of delivery for a full refund. If your jar arrives damaged or you're not happy with it for any reason, send us an email with a photo — we'll make it right.

04 — Wholesale & Trade

For chefs and buyers.

How do I become a wholesale customer?

Send us a note via the wholesale enquiry form, or email trade@simsimtahini.co.nz directly. Tell us about your business, the volumes you're after, and the kind of dishes you'll be using tahini in. We respond within two business days.

Can you create custom roasts for our menu?

Yes. We offer four standard roast profiles — Light, Medium, Dark, and Deep — and we'll custom-profile beyond them for trade clients. Send us a sample of your dish or describe the flavour direction, and we'll dial in a roast that fits.

Do you offer private labelling?

For the right volumes, yes. Get in touch through our wholesale form with your specs — pack size, label requirements, target volumes — and we'll let you know what's possible.

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