Sunflower seeds can be found either as in-shell or shelled as sunflower seed kernels or meats. They may be consumed raw or roasted and salted, toasted, baked, etc. as a snack. Anyway you prefer sunflower seeds, they are a delicious snack food, well-suited to a healthy diet and nutrition.

Nutrition facts
It is well known that sunflower seeds are one of the most nutritious (containing almost every vitamin except vitamin C) and healthy foods to be found in the dried fruits sector. This is due to their high content of unsaturated fatty acids. Analysis data indicate that from the total acids about 70% are polyunsaturated, 20% monounsaturated and only 10% saturated. It should be noted here that unsaturated fatty acids are beneficial to the human organism and essential for proper nutrition.  Sunflower seeds do not contain any cholesterol at all.

Item #UNC22060 - $5.49 per pound

ADDITIONAL FACTS:  
History of the Amazing Sunflower

The story of sunflower (Helianthus Annuus) is indeed amazing. The wild sunflower is native to North America but commercialization of the plant took place in Russia. It was only recently that the sunflower plant returned to North America to become a cultivated crop. But it was the American Indian who first domesticated the plant into a single headed plant with a variety of seed colors including black, white, red, and black/white striped.

American Indian Uses

Sunflower was a common crop among American Indian tribes throughout North America. Evidence suggests that the plant was cultivated by Indians in present-day Arizona and New Mexico about 3000 BC. Some archaeologists suggest that sunflower may have been domesticated before corn. Sunflower was used in many ways throughout the various Indian tribes. Seed was ground or pounded into flour for cakes, mush or bread. Some tribes mixed the meal with other vegetables such as beans, squash, and corn. The seed was also cracked and eaten for a snack. There are references of squeezing the oil from the seed and using the oil in making bread.

Non-food uses include purple dye for textiles, body painting and other decorations. Parts of the plant were used medicinally ranging from snakebite to other body ointments. The oil of the seed was used on the skin and hair. The dried stalk was used as a building material. The plant and the seeds were widely used in ceremonies.