Sunflower seeds: salted, extra-salted or unsalted — what’s the difference?

Sunflower seeds are one of the most popular snacks in Türkiye. A pack passed from hand to hand while watching a match, on a long journey or during an evening chat has a place all of its own. When you see salted, extra-salted and unsalted versions side by side on the shelf, you may wonder whether the only difference is the amount of salt. The short answer is yes — but that difference affects the eating experience more than you might think.

What are snacking sunflower seeds?

Sunflower seeds generally fall into two groups. Oilseed sunflowers have small black seeds and are used to make oil. Confectionery, or snacking, sunflowers have larger, longer seeds, usually with black-and-white striped or white shells. Their shells come off more easily and the kernel is more substantial. The seeds in our Çıtır range are of this snacking type.

When sunflower seeds arrive at our facility they are first cleaned — freed of stones, dust and foreign matter — and colour sorted. They are then roasted, salted according to the variety, and packed.

Salted, extra-salted, unsalted

The three varieties in the Çıtır range are the same roasted seed, prepared for different tastes:

• Çıtır Salted Sunflower Seeds: the most popular choice, with a balanced level of salt. The taste of the roasted seed and the salt come together.
• Çıtır Extra-Salted Sunflower Seeds: for those who want to taste the salt on the shell more clearly. The salt comes through the moment the seed touches your lips.
• Çıtır Unsalted Sunflower Seeds: roasted with no added salt. They offer the roasted flavour of the seed in its purest form, and are also a good option for anyone limiting their salt intake.

In the salted varieties, the salt sits mostly on the outside of the shell. So when you crack the seed open between your teeth, you taste the salt first and then the roasted kernel. With the unsalted variety there is no such sequence; the flavour comes straight from the seed.

Which one should you choose?

It is entirely personal, but a few tips can help. If you will be snacking for a long time, the salted variety is a balanced choice; extra-salted seeds can leave a lot of salt in your mouth after a few hours. If you plan to shell the seeds for salads, yoghurt or baking, the unsalted variety is better, as it lets you season to suit your recipe.

And then there are pumpkin seeds

If you love sunflower seeds, we recommend trying pumpkin seeds too. Their wider, flatter shape makes for a different snacking experience, and their roasted flavour is milder than that of sunflower seeds. You will find them in both our packaged and bulk ranges.

Keeping them fresh

Sunflower seeds are sensitive to moisture. Closing the pack tightly after opening, or moving the seeds into a lidded container, is the easiest way to keep them crunchy. A cool, dry cupboard is the right place to store them.