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Kernels are the inner part of a sunflower seed. Some call it meat. Means that a processor has mechanically removed the shell. They may be sold raw or roasted.

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Kernels are separated in a couple of different qualities:

• Edible, or Human consumption

• Bird food

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While each quality is divided in several options as well.

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Edible

• Confection

  • Premium. Are kernels coming from big size confection sunflower seeds, resulting in a product whose count is around 450 +/- 50 pieces per ounce.​

  • Standard. Similar to the Premium but a little smaller, with a kernel count of 550 +/- 50 pieces per ounce.

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• Bakery. Usually obtained from oil sunflower or small confection sunflower. Kernel count to be around 750 +/- 100pieces per ounce.

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When used for human consumption, there is a wide array of uses: as a snack, in seed mixes like protein or cereal bars, in salads, cakes or muffins, and even as sunflower butter (similar to the peanut butter).

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Bird food

• Coarse. Are whole kernels with sizes from 450 to 800 pieces / oz but with a color that is not suitable for human consumption.

• Chips. They are the just split kernels and may be graded based on their size between:

  • Medium 1/2 kernel 

  • Fine 1/4 kernel

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This is an important ingredient on bird food mixes, mostly in the ones intended to attract wild birds. They are also used to produce no grow - no mess seed mixes.