Sunflower seed

Unroasted seeds in the amount of 100 grams cover 130% of the average person's daily need for vitamin E (which sunflower is especially rich in), 70% for vitamin B5 , 40% for vitamin B6 , 35% for vitamin B3 , 39 % - in protein , 44% - in fiber , by 115% - in phosphorus , by 113% - in selenium , by 92% - in copper , by 35% - in zinc , by 32% - in magnesium , by 24% - in potassium , by 21% - in iron ^{[1] [2]} . This high-calorie food: almost half of the nutrients are fats , the energy value of 580 kcal ^[2] .

Fried seeds are inferior to untreated ones in the content of useful substances. Shades of taste, aroma and aftertaste of seeds depend mainly on the degree of frying and on the addition of salt .

Timely sowing of sunflower allows you to start harvesting it in early September. At this time, often the best weather conditions occur, ensuring the collection of high quality seeds with the necessary level of humidity. Harvesting in general takes about a month and a half.

Sunflowers removed from the field are delivered to the current - a special place where warehouses with walls are located on only two sides (the "ruler") - the absence of walls from the ends of the building ensures proper air ventilation and convenient access for processing equipment. On current, all products undergo laboratory testing - tests for moisture content, grade, acid number. The lower the moisture content and the better the seeds are cleaned of foreign litter - the longer they retain their taste properties.

In a warehouse, waiting for roasting, seeds are laid out in rows throughout the area. Under each row there is a ventilation system that provides air. High-tech convection ovens process seeds from all sides with hot air. The finished product goes to an automated packaging line, where the seeds are packed in glasses or bags.

As a rule, large seeds of non-oil varieties of sunflower are eaten. It is customary to husk seeds (“click”, “gnaw”): in this case, the shell breaks up with teeth and spits out, and the edible core remains in the mouth, chewed and swallowed. In many countries, sunflower seeds are considered “stadium food” and are sold at the entrance to the stadium to fans who husk them during the match.

Excessive husking of seeds can lead to damage to tooth enamel .

It is less known that seeds can be sprouted and added to salads . Ground seeds are used as the basis for the production of oriental sweets - halva and kozinaki .

For cleaning seeds, special seed-breaking machines are used .

In dairy plants, sunflower oil is squeezed out of the peeled seeds. Sunflower meal goes to livestock feed.

Natural oil is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids ( linoleic acid is about 68%). Recently, sunflower hybrids with a different distribution of fatty acids have become widespread.