Allergen note
Tahini is simply ground sesame, one of the major food allergens, and reactions can be serious. From 12 months, if your child has not had sesame yet, start with a small amount of thinned tahini at home, and if there is no reaction, keep offering it regularly. Talk to your pediatrician first if your child has severe eczema or another food allergy.
How to serve
From 12 months, stir 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of tahini into oatmeal, yogurt, mashed sweet potato or homemade hummus without added salt, or spread it very thinly on toast strips. Tahini thinned with water and a squeeze of lemon makes a mild dip for soft steamed vegetables.
Preparation
Choose tahini made only from sesame, with no added salt or sugar, and stir the separated oil back in before using. Whisk in warm water a little at a time: it thickens first, then loosens into a smooth sauce. Tahini is eaten uncooked and has occasionally been recalled for Salmonella, so buy a reputable brand and use a clean spoon.
Texture and choking risk
Thick, sticky tahini can coat the mouth and stick in the throat, so never give it by the spoonful or as a thick layer. Thin it until it runs off a spoon, or spread it very thinly, offer sips of water with the meal, and always supervise while your child sits upright.
Sources: cdc.gov · cdc.gov · healthychildren.org · healthychildren.org · nhs.uk · nhs.uk
Starting ages are typical guidance for healthy, full-term babies who show signs of readiness. Your paediatrician may advise differently, especially where there is a family history of allergy.
Track first tastes and reactions
Log when your child first tries tahini, note any reaction and see it in the allergen tracker.
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