Tahini, also known as Tahin, Tahina, Tahine, is more challenging to spot in the same aisle in all grocery stores. Because it’s a versatile product used in many different dishes, besides its versatility, it’s a rare product for many Americans. Hence, it could be overwhelming for many of you to navigate it in a grocery store. So, if you are wondering, “Where is tahini in grocery store?” look no further. You are at the right place.
This comprehensive guide will help you uncover the whereabouts of tahini in well-known big-box retailers. Besides its location in grocery stores, we will discuss tahini’s substitutes and popular brands.
In addition, we will also look into things to consider before choosing tahini’s brand and the reason behind its growing popularity that has made tahini a must-have kitchen staple.
So, without ado, let’s begin!
Where Is Tahini in Grocery Store?
Tahini paste, made of ground hulled or unhulled sesame seeds, can be found in the condiment aisle or international food aisle. If inspired by its versatility and nutritional benefits, consider buying it on your next grocery visit.
Remember that tahini is not a one-size-fits-all product. Tahini’s origins can be traced back to Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines, where it is a major ingredient in dishes like baba ganoush, popular sesame paste, halva, buddha bowl, and hummus.
So, you can create different food fusions using tahini, as its rich flavor adds depth to savory and sweet dishes.
Knowing the intricacies of finding tahini before your next grocery shopping is essential. Most of the grocery stores usually follow a similar pattern of placing products.
For example, baking soda is placed in the baking aisle near flour or spice in almost all grocery stores. Similarly, tahini is usually found in the condiments section close to peanut butter, sesame oil, mustard, or gourmet olives.
You are not going to find tahini in the produce or dairy section. You have to be more specific about locating tahini in the grocery store. So, let’s explore the most common places to navigate tahini to answer your query, “Where is tahini in grocery store.”
What Aisles to Check for Tahini in a Grocery Store?
The exact location of tahini varies from store to store, depending on its layout and what kind of store it is. But typically, tahini is placed in one of the following sections in grocery stores:
Condiment or Sauces Aisle
The condiments or sauces aisle is the first place to look for tahini in a grocery store. Try to find tahini near seed and nut butter like peanut butter, hazelnut butter, and almond butter because tahini’s paste consistency is similar.
Also, look for it on the shelves where mayo, ketchup, BBQ sauce, olive oil, or other salad dressings are placed. Look for jars, containers, or bottles with sesame paste or tahini written on them.
International or Ethnic Foods Aisle
Due to its Middle Eastern and Mediterranean origin, you should also look for it in the International/Middle Eastern/ Asian sections.
Not all grocery stores have an international foods or specialty section. But you can always ask the store assistant or store team members. They will happily guide you to the correct aisle or department.
Deli or Refrigerated Section
Although tahini is sold shelf-stable in glass or plastic jars, you can still find it in the refrigerator section in some health food shops or delicatessens. Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s keep tahini in their refrigerated section completely organic.
Baking Aisle
Some stores also place tahini in the baking aisle because it is used in many baking recipes. People who are allergic to nuts use tahini as a substitute in cookies and desserts as it’s made from sesame seeds. So, adding tahini to desserts makes them super moist without a deep, bitter, nuttier taste.
Which Grocery Chains Carry Tahini?
As tahini comes under the category of specialty item, not all grocery stores may have it. Let’s figure out which grocery stores or supermarket chains supply tahini.
Specialty Grocery Stores
The one place where you can go to buy tahini without any doubt is the Middle Eastern grocery stores or oriental markets. These specialty ethnic stores carry all kinds of Asian or Middle Eastern condiments and sauces.
You can use Google Maps or store locator to find your nearby specialty grocery stores that carry tahini. This quick search will save you both time and energy.
Walmart
Usually, in Walmart, tahini is shelved in the condiments aisle near the sunflower seed butter. Almost all Walmart locations sell tahini, but it’s better to confirm using their Mobile app.
You can also check the Walmart website to see which aisle tahini is in the store because every store layout varies by location. Beforehand confirmation will also tell you about the availability of tahini in your nearby Walmart location.
Kroger
In Kroger, tahini is in the international foods aisle next to sesame seeds and other Middle Eastern products. All the Middle Eastern items are mostly placed near the Indian food. So look for tahini close to them.
Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s was the first grocery store to stock tahini as the main organic product. The tahini you will find here is fully organic without any synthetic flavors.
Trader Joe’s keeps raw tahini in the refrigerated section along with other sauces and condiments. They also sell flavored tahini with spices and herbs to create delicious fusion recipes.
Safeway
Safeway also sells pure organic tahini and keeps it near the seed and nut butter in the condiments aisle. But the raw tahini can be found in the refrigerated or deli section near the hummus.
To confirm its availability and exact location in the aisle, use Safeway’s website and search your nearby location to avoid inconvenience.
Target
Target should be your last stop to purchase tahini. Target does sell premade hummus but not tahini. However, you can buy tahini from major Target locations like those superstores. But its small grocery stores do not carry tahini.
Where is Tahini in the Grocery Store in Alternative Locations?
If you still need help finding the exact location of tahini in a grocery store, you can look for it in alternate locations. For this, you have to approach staff members or store assistants.
Some large grocery stores or supermarkets keep tahini in a unique place following their particular store layout. So, there is no harm in asking the store employee to guide you to the shelf where tahini is stocked.
If you want to make an instant recipe and you don’t have tahini, you can use other options as emergency alternatives. Also, remember that using a substitute will give a different tahini flavor. So, the recipe can be changed.
What Substitutes to Use If You Can’t Find Tahini in Your Local Grocery Store?
Where Is Tahini in Grocery Store as a Substitute?
If you are unable to get your hands on tahini, you can use the following substitutes:
- Sunflower Butter: Use unflavored sunflower butter while considering its sweet taste. Hence, it will change the flavor of hummus or any savory recipe. You can also use a spoonful of cashew butter and peanut butter to get that nuttier flavor.
- Hummus: You can use hummus as a tahini alternative because both have almost the same key ingredients. But make sure to use a thickener like cornstarch to get the same consistency. You can use sesame oil too.
- Greek Yogurt: You can also use Greek yogurt instead of tahini to get the same tangy flavor and texture, but it does not give the same thick consistency.
What are Some Popular Tahini Brands to Look for In Grocery Stores?
Now that you have found tahini in the grocery store, be ready to get lost in the realm of tahini’s varieties and brands. Following are some famous tahini brands that offer unique flavors and textures:
- Mighty Sesame Co. Organic Tahini: This is the smoothest and creamiest tahini you will get, best for baking.
- Joyva Sesame Tahini: It tastes like a salted peanut butter or garlic taste, best for savory recipes.
- Soom Foods Pure Ground Sesame Tahini: It has a silky texture, ultra-creamy consistency, and nutty flavor with a slight bitterness, and it is best to use in ice creams.
- Har Bracha Tahini Paste: This is the chef-recommended tahini used in salad and other dressings.
- Seed + Milk Organic Tahini: Oron and Roman brand has a shop in Chelsea Market where you can get soft serve made with their tahini.
- Al Arz 100% Pure Sesame Tahini: This brand produces tahini from quality sesame seeds, creating a rich and nutty flavor.
What to Consider When Choosing a Tahini Brand?
When choosing tahini for the first time, remember that even if all ingredients are the same, every tahini tastes different. Tahini comes in different shapes and sizes of jars, containers, cans, and bottles.
Every brand produces tahini with different consistencies, sesame, flavors, and texture. Roasted tahini will taste different than a raw organic tahini. So, choose the tahini brand considering all these pointers.
Which Online Retailers Sell Tahini?
Where is Tahini in grocery store? If you are not in a hurry and can wait, you can order tahini from online retailers that will deliver it to your doorstep. You can also schedule a time and pick it up from the designated spot through pickup service. You can order the tahini from the online retailers below:
- Amazon
- Stop and Shop
- Seed + Mill
- Soom Foods
- Hive Brands
- Instacart
- Walmart
- Thrive Market
Why has tahini Become an Essential Pantry Staple?
Tahini, a nutty and creamy paste made from ground sesame seeds, is getting popular among food enthusiasts and creative chefs. The reason behind its popularity is its rich, creamy flavor, adaptability, growing interest in traditional Middle Eastern cuisines, and a lot of nutritional benefits.
Tahini product sales have risen in the United States since 2015, which is expected to continue. Paste and spread varieties are set to dominate the market, with projected sales of approximately $87.1 million by 2025, surpassing sauces, dips, halva, and other sweet products by two to four times.
You can spread it to bagels, muffins, and toasts, add it to your smoothies, sauces, and dressings, try it in your desserts, and mix it into your appetizers.
That’s why it is called a versatile condiment. Its versatility gives it its strongest selling point. Indeed, it is a worth-trying ingredient full of a good amount of proteins, calcium, essential fatty acids, and minerals.
Many Middle Eastern and Mediterranean recipes go viral when food bloggers from worldwide share them on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. These sites are very famous for cooking inspiration.
Home cooks experiment with tahini in various culinary applications, from traditional Middle Eastern recipes to innovative food fusions. Dishes like hummus, baba ganoush, falafel, and tahini-based dips/dressings sparked curiosity in food enthusiasts and have become favorites. Thus, tahini automatically found its way into essential kitchen staples.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
After reading this article, you should be confident enough to know where is tahini in grocery store. We have provided everything from its location in the aisles to in what grocery stores you can find it. Furthermore, we have also provided info on online retailers that sell it, the most famous brands that make it, and the things to remember while buying it.
So, use this knowledge and confidently navigate tahini in your favorite grocery store’s international, baking and condiment aisles. Don’t forget to share your experience of creating tahini-inspired recipes.