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Comment by simonbarker87 | Hacker News Reader

I think sesame makes me violently throw up for about 8 hours. The last three times I’ve knowingly eaten it this has happened. But it doesn’t show up on an allergy test and all three were 6 months apart so could have just been a flare up of something else. But it was the exact same symptoms each time. So now I just avoid sesame, it’s really tricky to do as it gets in to all sorts of things, but for seemingly no reason. Even ordering a burger is tricky, why are there sesame seeds on a burger bun?

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Sesame seeds on buns were popularized by the introduction of the Big Mac in the 60s. They weren't the first, but they definitely propelled it into the mainstream. The original purpose is lost to history but it was likely just for visual appeal.

Turkish simit bread (a type of roll) is completely coated in sesame seeds and I think predates the Big Mac by some hundreds of years. There is some prior art regarding sesame seed rolls.

Anecdotally I find people from east of the prime meridian seem to eat a lot more seeds and nuts than I see USians do.

This has been my struggle. From my POV it's such a dumb allergy to have -- like I feel so stupid bringing it up. But on the other hand, are sesame seeds really that awesome that my food needs to be able to kill me.... for what exactly?

Now, sesame oil - fine. That's great. But the seeds... the seeds are just there to insult me.

I love the taste and texture of sesame seeds. I snack on black and white sesame seeds all the time.

I dont think they do anything to the bun. My kid has a sesame allergy, its pretty dumb when you pick up something, read sesame and you wonder why, we are seriously struggling finding hamburger buns at the grocery store that do not contain sesame - after this new federal law change to include sesame. They have a seed flavor but seriously could get that from another type of seed. Luckily he doesnt have a sever reaction only irritates his tongue and throat a little. very minor.

Hummus. Halva. Tahini. Sesame would be a difficult allergy. My condolences.

> Even ordering a burger is tricky, why are there sesame seeds on a burger bun?

Sesame seeds are flavor enhancer, just like salt. The "simplest" salt-less bread simply replaces salt with sesame seeds. Of course burgers will use all the tricks they can to improve flavor, hence the sesame seeds on burger buns.

Texture and visually appealing I assume?

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