Grains & Seeds

Sunflower Seed

There are three types of commonly used sunflower (Helianthus annuus) seeds: linoleic (most common), high oleic, and sunflower oil seeds. These seeds are usually pressed to extract their oil. Striped sunflower seeds are primarily eaten as a snack food; as a result, they may be called confectionery sunflower seeds.

Sunflower is used in multi-grain bread, nutrition bars, barbecue, pickle, hot sauce, bacon, ranch, and nacho cheese and many other products. Eastern European, and Asian countries where they can be bought freshly roasted and are commonly consumed as street food. In Belarus, Russia, Ukraine and Romania, roasted ground seeds are used to make a type of halva. Sunflower seeds contain nutrients and plant compounds that help reduce your risk of inflammation, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Sunflowers tend to take up cadmium from the soil and deposit it in their seed. High amout of cadmium in blood may damage the kidneys.

The peanut is a legume crop grown mainly for its edible seeds. Atypically among legume crop plants, peanut pods develop underground (geocarpy) rather than above ground. The capacity to fix nitrogen of peanuts makes them valuable in crop rotations. Peanuts are similar in taste and nutritional profile to tree nuts such as walnuts and almonds. peanuts are usually categorized as nuts for culinary purposes. The oldest known archeological remains of pods have been dated at about 7,600 years old found in Peru. Peanut butter was developed in the 1880s and 1890s in the United States and Canada. Spanish peanuts have a higher oil content than other types of peanuts. Since 1940, the southeastern US region has seen a shift to production of Runner group peanuts. This shift is due to good flavor, better roasting characteristics and higher yields when compared to Spanish types. China had 34% of global production, followed by India (19%).

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Peanuts are common in Peruvian and Mexican cuisine. Crunchy coated peanuts, called kabukim in Hebrew, are a popular snack in Israel. The coating typically consists of flour, salt, starch, lecithin, and sometimes sesame seeds. In the Indian subcontinent, peanuts are a light snack, usually roasted and salted and often sold roasted in pods. They are also made into dessert or sweet snack of peanut brittle (Chikki or gajjak) by processing with refined sugar and jaggery. Another use is peanut oil for cooking. In Canada and the United States, peanuts are used, in candies, cakes, cookies, and other sweets. In the United States, peanuts and peanut butter are central to American dietary practices, and are typically considered as comfort foods. Peanuts are an excellent source of plant-based protein, fiber, and many key vitamins and minerals.

Sessame Seed

Sesame Sesamum indicum) is a an annual flowering plant in the genus Sesamum. Archaeological remnants of charred sesame suggest sesame was domesticated in the Indian subcontinent at least 5500 years ago. It is possible that the Indus Valley Civilization exported sesame oil to Mesopotamia. Historically, sesame was a robust crop that needs little farming support—it grows in drought conditions, in high heat, with residual moisture in soil after monsoons are gone or even when rains fail or when rains are excessive. Sudan, Myanmar, and India as the largest producers of Sessame seed. Sesame seed is a high-value cash crop. Apart from food products, Sesame seeds are also used as an ingredient in soap, cosmetics, lubricants, and medicines. Several insecticides use sesame oil as a synergist for the active agent.

Sesame is used as a cooking oil, garnish for decorating some of the light foods like fish and desserts, sesame bars, as ground into a paste making desserts . Sesame seeds are commonly added to certain foods to provide a nutty flavor and crunchy texture. same seeds are rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. A meta-analysis showed that sesame consumption produced small reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. another demonstrated improvement in fasting blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c. If sesame seeds are not consumed in the limit, they might cause blood glucose levels to drop below normal. Excessive consumption of sesame seeds can drop blood pressure to dangerously low levels. Fibre from sesame seeds can form a layer over the appendix, causing bloating and pain.

Corn / Maize

corn (Maize) he corn plant is a tall annual grass with a stout, solid stem. It is a cereal grain first domesticated by indigenous peoples in southern Mexico about 10,000 years ago. Maize has become a staple food in many parts of the world, with the total production of maize surpassing that of wheat or rice. In addition to being consumed directly by humans (often in the form of masa), maize is also used for corn ethanol, animal feed and other maize products, such as corn starch and corn syrup.

Corn may be used roasted on the cob or its kernels boiled, buttered, salted, popcorn, or pureed into soups and gravies, corn is one versatile ingredient that can make for a good healthy food option anytime.Corn is rich in carbs, fiber, vitamin C, Folate, Vitamins and minerals. that helps protect your cells from damage and wards off diseases like cancer and heart disease. Yellow corn is a good source of the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, which are good for eye health and help prevent the lens damage that leads to cataracts. Corn contains phytic acid which may impairs your absorption of dietary minerals

Mustard Seed

There are three types of mustard mainly, black mustard (Brassica nigra), brown Indian mustard (B. juncea), or white/yellow mustard (B. hirta/Sinapis alba).The reference of a mustard seed is given in Indian ancient texts called Upanishads to explain the duality of a person's self and the relationship of self with the universe. It is stated that if an individual were to pick a single mustard seed every hundred years from a seven-mile cube worth of mustard seeds, then by the time the last seed is picked, the age of the world cycle would still continue. In the Bible, Jesus tells the Parable of the Mustard Seed referring to faith and the Kingdom of God. There, Jesus says, “The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade." Mustard has a history of use as a remedy in traditional medicine dating as far back as ancient Greek and Roman civilizations.

Mustard seeds and leaves both are edible, making it a versatile addition to your diet. Mustard is most often used at the table as a condiment on cold and hot meats. It is also used as an ingredient in mayonnaise, vinaigrette, marinades, and barbecue sauce. It is also a popular accompaniment to Pasta, salads, BBQ sauces, sandwiches, hot dogs, pretzels, bratwurst, curry and Pickles. Mustard leaves are used in salads and vegitable, contain significant amounts of calcium, copper, and vitamins C, A, and K. Aside from its culinary uses, “Mustard seeds are excellent sources of the oil, protein, trace minerals selenium and magnesium, which not only help with cancer prevention, but can also manage symptoms of asthma, arthritis, high blood pressure, 2 diabetes, and migraines,”. Mustard oil contains strong antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. It's a great source of glucosinolates and believed to stimulate your body's antioxidant defenses. Isothiocyanates compound is derived from glucosinolates, which helps to prevent cancer cells from growing or spreading. Sinigrin derived from glucosinolates, is responsible for mustard's pungent taste and thought to possess anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, and wound-healing properties. mustard oil is used for body massage during extreme winters.