Sep
Sunflower Seeds: From Farm to Home!
Sunflower seeds might just be the most consumed among all nuts and seeds! While we might buy nuts for special occasions or not consume them daily, it’s almost impossible to watch an exciting football match or a favorite movie without a bowl of sunflower seeds by our side. This tasty and popular seed starts its journey in sunflower fields and travels a long way before reaching our homes. Let’s learn more about them:
The Sunflower Plant
The sunflower plant grows from the very seeds we love to eat. It’s somewhat of a giant among flowers, with sunflowers reaching up to about 3 meters in height when they have the right light, temperature, and rich soil! However, it takes around 80 to 150 days for the plant to reach the stage where it’s ready for harvest.
Uses of Sunflowers
- Oil
Sunflowers aren’t just grown for their seeds; they’re also used in food production. The sunflower is considered one of the most productive plants for oil extraction. Sunflower oil is extracted from the seeds using industrial methods. Recently, a video of olive oil extraction went viral, showing olives in special containers that resembled sunflower stems, leading to the misconception that sunflower oil is made from the stems! After oil extraction, the remaining seed residue is used as animal and poultry feed.
- Culinary Uses
Another use for sunflower seeds is as a tasty addition to various pastries and homemade breads. Sunflower seeds are sometimes included in oatmeal, mixed nuts, and even chocolates.
Processing Sunflower Seeds
Once the sunflower plant is fully grown, the seeds reach their maximum size and are harvested either by traditional methods or with special machinery. After the seeds are dried, they are roasted and flavored using different methods in specialized machines. The degree of roasting varies depending on factors like consumer preference and preserving minerals and healthy fats.
Popular Sunflower Seed Flavors
The most popular flavor is the classic salted sunflower seed. You can also find lemon, pepper, Golpar, and more. Be aware that lemon-flavored seeds are sometimes made with low-quality ingredients, and their high acidity can potentially damage tooth enamel and cause decay over time.
Buying Sunflower Seeds Online
You can purchase sunflower seeds from online stores. As always, Tavazo offers the best products to ensure you can shop with complete confidence, without worrying about quality. Tavazo sunflower seeds, along with varieties like Jabbuni and Mahbubi seeds, are available on the Tavazo website, and our products are shipped from Europe to customers worldwide.
Author: Zahra Barani
