The History of Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower seeds for culinary purposes may be raw or roasted. This instantly recognizable plant progressed through history to produce beautiful flowers and serve as a modern healthy snack.

History

• Native Americans used red, black, white, and black-and-white seeds to create the first single-headed blooming sunflower, according to the National Sunflower Association. Indians in Arizona and New Mexico cultivated the first seeds and resulting flowers in 3000 B.C.

Seed Use Patent

• Spanish explorers took the sunflowers to Europe in the 1500s. By 1716, a patent was granted for the process of squeezing sunflower oil from the seeds.

Russian Seeds

• Russian immigrants brought giant sunflower seeds to America. In 1880, seed companies began selling these seeds under the label "Mammoth Russian" in catalogs.

Fun Fact

• During Russia's early history, when czars ruled, the Russian military used sunflower seeds to fortify their troops. Russian soldiers ate 2 lbs. of sunflower seeds per day as part of their food allotment.