We love to celebrate female owned businesses and Seed + Mill is not owned by one woman, but rather three. Monica Molenaar, Rachel Simons, and Lisa Mendelson met through mutual friends.
Lisa grew up in Israel where tahini and halva is a huge part of the culture. Monica knew halva well from her childhood growing up in a Jewish family on the Upper West Side. And Rachel comes from Australia and has had a passion for organic and quality food. Lisa used to own the yogurt chain Yogo, while Rachel and Monica left their jobs in the corporate world and broadcasting to bring quality sesame seed based products to New York City in 2016.
That's when they opened Seed + Mill where they are introducing and reacquainting Chelsea Market shoppers with this Middle Eastern treat.
The What:
Halvah is sometimes known as sesame seed butter or Middle Eastern peanut butter. Sesame seeds are roasted, ground into a paste (tahini) and then mixed with sugar and flavors. It makes for a wonderful snack or dessert. Or a topping on ice cream.
Seed + Mill strays from the traditional flavors of pistachio and chocolate (although they do those too) by creating unique flavors like Ginger, Black Sesame, and White Chocolate Raspberry.
At this tiny Chelsea Market kiosk, you can sample the halvah and also purchase jars of tahini, sesame spices, and the most amazing soft serve ice cream you've ever tasted. It's tahini flavored and we recommend topping it with mixed pieces of what else, but halvah?
We sometimes stop at Seed + Mill on our High Line and Chelsea Market tour. It's always a huge hit and most people want to take a big chunk of halvah home with them.
The Why:
Outside of some Middle Eastern specialty shops, quality tahini and halvah was difficult to find in New York City. Thankfully, these talented and driven women decided to not just bring the quality but give us some new flavors as well. Sesame seeds are full of nutritional benefits and make for delicious treats. So we say indulge away!
The Where:
Seed + Mill
Inside Chelsea Market
409 West 15th Street
New York, New York 10011