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  History of the Sunflower The sunflower is considered a new world crop in that it was discovered by the early Europeans when they came to America. They found Native Indians cultivating this crop in nearly all parts of North America. Researchers have found evidence of sunflower among Native Indians from Canada to Mexico and from the Mouth of the Columbia River to the East Coast. It is easy to see why those early settlers made the high energy sunflower a part of their diet also. Even Lewis and Clark made several mentions of Indians eating sunflower during their expedition of The West. There have been some Indian Legends that describe sunflower as one in the same as the Sun God. Today when traveling through much of the North American Heartland you cannot help but notice the beautiful fields of bright yellow sunflower. It is easy to imagine how such bright beauty could be attributed to God. Spanish explorers first brought this new food home to Spain where it became very popular as a snack. The popularity of sunflower as a snack grew and spread all over the Mediterranean Region as well as Eastern Europe, Russia and China. Russia found this new food very attractive because it was not on the list of restricted foods for the annual celebration of Lent. Sunflower therefore became very popular during that season and grew into common everyday use. Not only did this food remain a popular snack, it also became a great source for vegetable cooking oil. While it may have been impossible to understand at that time how healthy this oil really was when first used for cooking it has in fact become known as one of the healthiest cooking oils on the face of the earth. Few vegetable oils rival sunflower oils low cost, ease of use and healthy attributes. The growth in popularity has become so complete that many sunflower fans consider the plant native to places outside of North America. While this is not true it is nice to see consumers taking such ownership of this NEW WORLD food. It is indeed gratifying to see vast fields of sunflower in bloom on nearly every continent of the World. Those beautiful sunflower heads enhance any countryside. Despite sunflower's popularity all over the world, it is heartening to know that you do not need to settle for a cheaper copy of the true American Original sunflower grown in the USA. During the late 1800's and early 1900's sunflower did not enjoy a level of popularity in the USA. The last half of the 1900's saw a tremendous resurgence. The initial source of popularity was the confection sunflower we know so well today. That popularity led to the development of the oil type sunflower that is today grown world wide for cooking oil. While oil sunflower has seen a cyclical pattern to its popularity confection sunflower has steadily grown in popularity. Uses Since early times we have seen sunflower grow in popularity in other ways besides inshell snacking and cooking oil. In America consumers have used the shelled sunflower kernel as a snack, in salad and in various trail mixes. In Korea, sunflower are used in candy as well as other better-known uses. Americans love for two American Classics, baseball and sunflower has merged to the point that many consider sunflower to be a baseball snack. In other parts of the world where soccer (football) is the king of all sports sunflower is considered the snack of choice. But nowhere in the world has a nation of consumers so fully embraced sunflower as Germany has for use in bread. Germany has been long known for its outstanding, hearty breads that are "A meal in themselves". Bread making in Germany is not only an apt, but also a revered profession. Over the past few decades Germany has pioneered the use of sunflower kernel in bread making. They have fine-tuned this product to the point that nearly all bread in Germany includes sunflower. Consumers are unanimous in their support for sunflower in bread. So popular has sunflower bread become that there hardly exists a bakery in Germany that does not use sunflower in bread. Nearly all the other Northern European countries have followed Germany's lead in the use of sunflower in bread. In fact you can hardly travel anywhere in Northern Europe and not see German Type sunflower bread being served for breakfast and lunch. Added Value Not only does the kernel have a great mild taste but it also adds to the bread's chewy, full flavor nature. The sunflower also adds a moist texture to the bread. Sunflower also has become known for its rich source of important vitamins, minerals and nutrients. Sunflower kernel is higher in fiber, vitamin E, zinc and iron than other nuts and often is available at a lower cost. Future Sunflower is an extremely versatile ingredient. Due to its mild flavor and crunchiness sunflower can be used in products ranging from chocolate candy, breakfast cereals and of course all kinds of bread and bakery products. Food researchers continue to discover and try new and successful uses for sunflower. While sunflower is without a doubt very popular, we have only begun to discover the uses this nutritional powerhouse can have in our food. |
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