SUNFLOWER KERNELS

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.

Kernels are separated in a couple of different qualities:

Edible, or Human consumption
Bird food

While each quality is divided in several options as well.

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.

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

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).

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

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.