How to Hull Sunflower Seeds

Overview

Sunflower seeds are a favorite snack for many people, animal and birds. You can buy these seeds still in their shells, salted or unsalted. For some, hulling the sunflower seeds themselves is part of the enjoyment. Cracking the hard shells takes very little work and you can do it in different ways, such as between your teeth. If you like to work for your food, then removing the hulls to get to the kernel inside is for you.

Step 1

Place a sunflower seed in your mouth. Some suck the salt off first while others go straight for the kernel.

Step 2

Move the seed to your back teeth. Positioning the seed between your front teeth also works.

Step 3

Apply slow but steady pressure on the seed with your teeth until sides of the hull crack. Be careful when biting down on the sunflower seed or you could crush the hull and the kernel inside.

Step 4

Take the cracked sunflower seed out of your mouth and finish opening it up. Remove the kernel and eat, while throwing the hull away. Another way is to use your tongue to extract the kernel from the cracked hull and then spit out the empty hull.