SUNFLOWER SEEDS

Sunflowers are an annual plant native to North America, but today’s domesticated plants are very different from their wild ancestors.

Sunflowers were brought over to Europe by the Spaniards in the 15th century, where they became an important oil-bearing crop.

The Mayans, Incas and Aztecs, for whom the sunflowers were a symbol of the sun deity, fertility and light, used the seeds as a common food source.

Sunflower seeds can be eaten raw or roasted, and can be added to meat, fish, vegetables, salads, yoghurt, soups, biscuits and bread.

Roasted seeds can be used to prepare home-made butter (similar to peanut butter).

The majority of sunflowers are cultivated in Ukraine, Russia and Bulgaria.

Sunflower seeds can be eaten raw or roasted, and can be added to meat, fish, vegetables, salads, yoghurt, soups, biscuits and bread.

Roasted seeds can be used to prepare home-made butter (similar to peanut butter).