Specialty Shoots
Sunflower Shoots
Helianthus annuus
Thick, crunchy cotyledons with a clean nutty flavor and outstanding visual presence — the most-ordered microgreen in sushi and Japanese cuisine kitchens.
Sunflower microgreens are grown from black oil sunflower seeds, producing bold cotyledons with striking green leaves and pale, tender stems. Harvested at the 2-leaf stage, they deliver a satisfying crunch and a rich, nutty flavor that appeals to broad culinary applications from nigiri garnish to protein bowls. Their visual consistency and high yield make them the ideal high-volume variety for wholesale accounts.
Helianthus annuus belongs to the Asteraceae family. The large black oil seeds germinate rapidly after soaking, producing a prominent white radicle within 24 hours. During the blackout phase, the thick hypocotyl elongates strongly, producing the characteristic pale shoot. Upon light exposure, the oversized cotyledons unfurl dramatically and develop a deep green chlorophyll-rich surface. The seed hull often remains attached and must fall away or be misted off before harvest.
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Scientific Name | Helianthus annuus |
| Common Names | Sunflower, Helianthus shoots |
| Stage Harvested | Cotyledon / First leaf |
Sunflower microgreens are a nutritional powerhouse packed with essential fats, vitamins, and complete proteins. Their seed-derived energy stores translate into unusually high amino acid concentrations at the cotyledon stage.
Sunflower shoots are prized by chefs globally for their combination of visual drama, satisfying crunch, and clean flavor that enhances rather than overwhelms. They work across cuisines from Japanese to Mediterranean.
| Seed type | Black oil sunflower (BOSS) |
| Soaking time | 8–12 hours |
| Blackout duration | 3–4 days |
| Light phase | 6–8 days |
| Harvest height | 3–4 inches |
| Seed density | 2 oz per 10×20 tray |
| Yield per tray | 8–12 oz fresh weight |
| Shelf life | 7–10 days refrigerated |
| Clamshell (retail) | 2 oz, 4 oz, 8 oz |
| Bulk vacuum bag | 1 lb, 2 lb, 5 lb |
| Living tray | 10"×20" uncut |
| Custom label | Available on request |
| Min. weekly order | 5 lbs |
