Sesame is a flowering plant in the genus Sesamum. Numerous wild relatives occur in Africa and a smaller number in India. It is widely naturalized in tropical and subtropical regions around the world and is cultivated for its edible seeds, which grow in pods. Sesame is grown primarily for its oil-rich seeds, which come in a variety of colors, from cream-white to charcoal-black. In general, the paler varieties of sesame seem to be more valued in the West and Middle East, while the black varieties are prized in the Far East. The small sesame seed is used whole in cooking for its rich nutty flavor, and also yields sesame oil. The seeds are exceptionally rich in iron, magnesium, manganese, copper, and calcium, and contain vitamin B1 and vitamin E. They contain lignans, including unique content of sesamin.