Raw Sunflower Seeds

Raw sunflower seeds are the unroasted seeds of the sunflower plant, known in Lebanon as bezer dawwar el shams. Many people roast them at home with a little salt to enjoy as a snack, the way bezer is often shared at gatherings and on long evenings. Buying them raw lets you decide how long to roast them and how much salt to add. Hulled sunflower kernels are also commonly sprinkled over salads, mixed into granola, or added to bread dough and baked goods. You can find raw sunflower seeds, sold by the kilo, on the shelf at Dekenet Al Nes in Baaqline, in the Chouf. It is a package-free grocery store, so customers are encouraged to bring their own containers and fill them with the amount they need, helping to cut plastic waste and single-use packaging.