Sesame

Sesame

　　Sesame is a traditional oil crop in Nanyang with a long planting history. The perennial planting area is around 700,000 mu, mainly concentrated in five counties and cities—Tanghe, Xichuan, Dengzhou, Sheqi, Fangcheng, and Zhenping—which account for about one-tenth of the national total and one-quarter of the province’s total. Nanyang sesame has high oil content, good edible quality, large planting area, and ample supply. It enjoys a high reputation in the domestic market and is well received by merchants from Europe, America, and Japan. Linma Oil produced in Zhanglin, Zhenping, dates back to the Tang Dynasty and flourished in the Qing Dynasty. It is renowned both at home and abroad for its rich aroma and high nutritional value. Nanyang is located in a transitional zone between north and south, featuring fertile soil, abundant sunlight, and concurrent rain and heat, making it very suitable for the growth and development of sesame. Currently, the main varieties planted across the city include high-quality white sesame series such as Yuzhi No. 8 and No. 9. In 1998, the city planted 856,000 mu of sesame, with a total output of 69.196 million kilograms and an average annual yield of 80.4 kilograms per mu. Both yield per mu and total output reached their highest historical levels. Nanyang sesame and the edible oil processed from it are gradually becoming indispensable condiments in people's daily lives. (Nanyang)