Why Sunflower Seeds? Part 1 - History

Sunflower seeds are harvested from Helianthus annuus, which are the most common type of sunflower. Other types of sunflowers with good seeds are the Giant Primrose, Titan, Skyscraper, Mongolian Giant, and Mammoth Russian to name a few. All sunflowers produce edible seeds, but the larger the sunflower, the better the seeds are. Conversely, there are some types of sunflowers that have seeds that can quickly become rotten if not consumed quickly. One example is the Oilseed, which needs to be eaten right away or else it will become rancid. 

Sunflowers were first cultivated in north and south America, being used primarily amongst native Americans. They would use Helianthus annuus for the seeds as well, but also would use them for other purposes. They would mostly use the seeds and oil for cooking, but would also use the oil for medicine. Sunflower oil can be used for cooking, as a moisturizer, as massage oil, and can just be consumed plain for the numerous health benefits. The seeds themselves are a great snack and are very nutritious.

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