About the sunflower

While the vibrant, strong sunflower is a recognized worldwide for its beauty, it is also an important source of food. Sunflower oil is a valued and healthy vegetable oil and sunflower seeds are enjoyed as a healthy, tasty snack and nutritious ingredient to many foods.

Sunflower is an important agricultural crop choice for US producers in the northern plains of the Dakotas to the panhandle of Texas. Browse this complete site on US sunflower production to learn about the sturdy sunflower and the healthy products it provides.

Sunflower Introduction

Taste is tops, but health and nutrition rank high for consumers who want foods that are as good for them as they are good to eat. Sunflower oil and kernels meet that challenge with their combination of health benefits and flavor.

From phytochemicals and important vitamins and minerals to convenience of size and cost effectiveness, the amazing sunflower kernel is a powerhouse compared to no other! And one need look no further than NuSun oil for a healthy, trans-free alternative to hydrogenated oils and shortenings.

Sunflower Oil - Your Healthy Choice

Healthy, natural sunflower oil is produced from oil type sunflower seeds. Sunflower oil is light in taste and appearance and supplies more Vitamin E than any other vegetable oil. It is a combination of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats with low saturated fat levels. The versatility of this healthy oil is recognized by cooks internationally. Sunflower oil is valued for its light taste, frying performance and health benefits.There are three types of sunflower oil available; NuSun, linoleic and high oleic sunflower oil. All are developed with standard breeding techniques. They differ in oleic levels and each one offers unique properties.With three types of sunflower oil available, sunflower oil meets the needs of consumer and food manufacturers alike for a healthy and high performance non-transgenic vegetable oil.

About Sunflower Seeds and Kernels

Sunflower seeds are an American original. Called either confection or non-oil, seeds are a delicious and nutritious snack or addition to your favorite food.It is a native species to North America and was used by American Indians for an important, high-energy food source. Spanish explorers carried it with them to Europe. Russian agronomists were responsible for the first agricultural hybrids. These returned to the United States with Russian and German immigrants.Sunflower began as an important agronomic crop in the U.S. in the 1950's, starting in North Dakota and Minnesota.

Seeds, kernel, what is the difference?

The answer, there isn't a difference. Here is how the NSA refers to sunflower seeds/kernel:In-shell means the seed is left intact with the "meat" of the seed still in the shell. It is normally roasted and seasoned. It is eaten as a snack by cracking the shell with one's teeth, discarding the hull and eating the delicious morsel within. 'Chew and spit' is a great American pastime, especially at baseball games and other outdoor events.

Meal/Wholeseed Feeding

Sunflower meal is the by-product of the oil extraction process. Oil is the majority value of sunflower seed and meal is considered a by-product. Sunflower meal is an excellent livestock feed, especially for ruminants. For the last several years, the supply of U.S. sunflower meal has been somewhat inconsistent. That is changing as the domestic market for sunflower oil increases.