Organic Sunflower Seeds
Elemental Taste- (sweet, astringent, cooling energy)

Sunflower seeds are the fruits that grow within the center body of the beautiful sunflower, a flower that has the ability to grow to great heights, up to 20 feet tall!  The seeds are tightly encased in grey or black colored hulls, which often feature black or white stripes.  The multitude of seeds are packed in together between thin plant membrane structures in the center of the flower.  The actual seeds are quite small and ovular in shape, with a light grey hue.

The sunflower plant was one of the first plants to have been cultivated in the United States.  It is believed, though, that the plant had actually originated in Mexico and Peru.  Spanish explorers had brought sunflowers back to Europe and after being first grown in Spain, they were then introduced to other neighboring countries.   They have been used for more than 5,000 years by the Native Americans, who not only used the seeds as a food and an oil source, but also used the flowers, roots and stems for varied purposes including as a dye pigment.

Sunflower seeds are a source of vitamin E, which is the body's primary fat-soluble antioxidant.  They also are a source of fiber, protein, fat, iron, amino acids, phytochemicals and phytosterols, which may assist in lowering cholesterol.  Sunflower seeds also have a high oil content.  Because of this, they are often used to produce polyunsaturated oil.  They are pressed with a great amount of pressure to extract the oil.  After extraction, the fibrous and protein-rich "cake" that is left behind is often times used to feed livestock.

Sunflower seeds tend towards a mildly nutty flavor.  They are firm yet tender in their texture.  Raw, organic sunflower seeds are often used in raw nut pates, raw food snacks such as trail mixes and granolas, raw chocolates, salads, dessert toppings and more.  Sunflower seeds make an excellent replacement for flour-laden pie crusts.  The seeds can be ground down into a fine "flour" and mixed with chopped raisins, dates and sweet spices to make a gluten-free and low sugar dessert crust.

"Sunflower Seeds can be found in the following
Superfood Snacks Raw Chocolate flavors..."