Anyone who's ever bought a bag of sunflower seeds has surely come across the name "Dakota." And hardly any sport is as closely tied to the sunflower seed as baseball, where they've simply been part of the game for decades.
What does "Dakota" mean for sunflower seeds?
"Dakota" refers to a striped sunflower seed variety specifically bred as a snacking seed, not for oil production. Compared to the smaller, black oil seeds, Dakota seeds are larger, have a somewhat firmer shell and a bolder flavor. Black seeds are used mainly for oil production due to their high oleic acid content, while Dakota seeds are made for exactly what people like to do with them: crack and snack.
Sunflower seeds in baseball: from tobacco to seeds
The history of seeds in baseball is especially interesting. In the past, many players chewed tobacco during the game, among other things to keep their mouth moist. In the 1950s, players like Stan Musial and Enos Slaughter first turned to sunflower seeds as an alternative. But the trend really caught on in 1968, when young Reggie Jackson of the Oakland Athletics constantly carried a bag of seeds in the dugout. Because Jackson was extremely popular with fans and young players, everyone suddenly wanted to copy him, and demand for sunflower seeds in baseball exploded. To this day, seeds remain a fixed ritual in practically every dugout, helping to keep hands and minds busy during long games, and for some players they've since become a small good-luck charm too.
The trick to cracking them
Anyone trying it for the first time often struggles with the shell. The trick: place the seed sideways, at a slight angle, between your front teeth and crack it with gentle, controlled pressure, not a hard bite. You can then loosen the seed from the shell with your tongue and spit out the shell halves. Roasted seeds usually have a thinner, more brittle shell, so a little pressure is enough. With some practice, it goes surprisingly quickly, though you shouldn't overdo it, constant hard cracking wears down your teeth over time.
Sunflower seeds worldwide: a snack with global significance
Hardly any other snack is as firmly rooted across so many cultures as the sunflower seed. In Russia and Ukraine they're called "semechki" and have been a fixed part of everyday life for generations, whether while out walking, chatting with neighbors, or just in passing. In Turkey they're known as "çekirdek," sold at street stands and found in every kiosk bag. In the Balkans, for example in Bulgaria, Serbia or Romania, cracking seeds is simply a natural part of the street scene.
Particularly remarkable is their significance in China, where roasted seeds have a long tradition under the name "guazi" (瓜子). Especially around Chinese New Year, they're a popular gift and a symbol of prosperity, and cracking the shells together is a fixed part of celebrations and social gatherings. In Spain and large parts of Latin America they're a popular street snack known as "pipas," and in Iran they're sold under the name "tokhme," usually roasted and lightly salted.
From a baseball dugout to Chinese New Year: sunflower seeds have long since become more than just a snack for in between, they're a piece of everyday culture lived out around the globe, best experienced by trying them yourself.