Happy Halloween

“Halloween is an annual holiday celebrated on October 31st, rooted in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people lit bonfires and wore costumes to ward off ghosts as the dark half of the year began. It later merged with the Christian All Hallows’ Eve (the night before All Saints’ Day) and evolved through Irish and Scottish immigrant traditions.”

“How Halloween Works in Australia? Neighbourhood trick-or-treating is usually opt-in and coordinated, with families visiting only homes that show they are participating through decorations, signs, or lights. Since large pumpkins can be out of season or scarce, Australians often carve jack-o’-lanterns from local produce like pineapples, watermelons, or papayas.”

“Black sesame seed paste is a thick, rich spread made by grinding whole, unhulled black sesame seeds (often lightly toasted) until they release their natural oils. Black sesame seeds are nutty and earthy, and rich in calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, copper, and zinc: support bone strength, muscle function, and oxygen transport. Contain unique lignans, including sesamin and sesamol: help reduce oxidative stress, combat free radicals, and lower chronic inflammation. High in healthy unsaturated fats, plant phytosterols, and polyphenols, black sesame may help stabilize blood lipids and support healthy blood pressure levels. They retain their outer hulls; they provide more dietary fiber to feed beneficial gut bacteria and support regular digestion. Their healthy lipids, B vitamins (such as thiamin), and amino acids (such as tryptophan) help protect brain cells, support nerve signalling, and aid serotonin production.”

At my church cafeteria their black sesame coffee is very expensive at $6.90, smaller cup than mine. I decided to try make my own creation after searching a handful of black sesame drink (coffee). Most use oat milk, soy. almond and whole cream milk. I use half-and-half thickened milk with skim milk, and palm sugar. Since it’s Halloween, I had added the eyeball decorations. It’s too hard, I hate wasting it but to save me the trip to dentist, I threw it away. Let’s create my own coffee!!!

Ingredients

2 Tbs black sesame seed paste
1 Tbs toasted black sesame seeds
125 ml thickened cream
125 ml skim milk
1 Tbs palm sugar, brown sugar, honey, molasse
2 Tbs really hot boiling water
1/2 Tsp vanilla extract
1 tiny dot of black food colouring (OPT)
pinch of salt

Garnish

honey
toasted black sesame seeds
eyeball decoration

Method

In a small jug, combine black sesame paste, toasted black sesame seeds, palm sugar, a tiny dot of black food colouring, salt, and 2 Tbs boiling water. Whisk with a small balloon whisk, spoon, or milk frother until smooth and glossy with no lumps.

Next, in a large microwave-safe measuring jug, combine the thickened cream, skim milk, and vanilla extract and stir. Microwave for 1 1/2 minutes in 30-second intervals. Carefully remove, stir again, then microwave for a further 30 seconds, or until steaming.

In the meantime, use a large wide bowl and pour in enough honey to coat the rim of the glass. In another wide bowl, pour in enough toasted black sesame seeds. Place the glass into the honey and swirl it around to coat the rim, then swirl it around in the toasted black sesame seeds. Make sure the toasted sesame seeds stick to the rim.

Now bring out the hot milk and pour 100 ml into the small jug with the black sesame mixture, stirring a couple of times. Pour into the milk frother and froth the black sesame milk mixture, then pour it into the prepared glass. Return the remaining milk to the microwave for another 30 seconds. Wash the milk frother glass and frother stick, then wipe dry. Carefully remove the heated milk, pour it into the milk frother glass, and froth. Pour into the prepared glass. Scatter some toasted black sesame over the froth. I placed four eyeball decorations on the froth, but they sank into the black sesame seed latte.

So, I put some honey on the eyeball decorations and asked God to let them stay on the toasted sesame seed garnish, but they slid down. Thankfully, I managed to take a photo of the eyeball decorations where they stopped sliding. Enjoy them with Oreo biscuits while watching an afternoon movie.

Note: You can use oat, soy or whole milk. You can use less black sesame paste about 1 Tbs. You can omit black food colouring; but the colour will be greyish as you are also adding milk. So too you can omit vanilla extract. Use honey or brown sugar or molasses. You can omit the eyeballs use marshmallows and place two black dots as eyes and drop your marshmallow into your latte.

https://helenscchin.com/2026/10/31/halloween-black-sesame-latte/

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