How Sunflower Seeds Are Made

Sunflower seeds are available still in their shells or already shelled.

Sunflower seeds are healthy snacks native to North America. They are full of protein and add fiber to the diet. Roasted sunflower seeds are commercially available still in their shells and already shelled, in kernel form.

In-Shell Sunflower Seeds

The snacks are roasted and seasoned inside the shell, much like in-shell peanuts. They are typically consumed by placing the entire shell inside the mouth, using teeth to break the shell and eating the interior seed. The shells are manually removed from the mouth or spit into a dish or onto the ground.

Kernel Varieties

The shells are removed at commercial processing plants. The remaining kernels are salted before packaging or artificially flavored with assorted seasonings. Raw kernels are available for cooking and baking.

Sunflower Seed Sorting

Sunflower seeds are separated into three sizes. The tiniest ones become part of bird and pet feed mixtures. Medium-sized seeds are preferred for the husked and roasted varieties. The largest seeds of the harvest are reserved for the unshelled sunflower seed market.

References

• National Sunflower Association: How Sunflower Seeds Are Made