Sunflower Seeds (Lebb Dawar)

Sunflower seeds, known in Lebanon as lebb dawar, are the small striped seeds of the sunflower. They are a familiar snack across the country, cracked open between the teeth to get at the kernel inside, and are often shared at family gatherings, during evening visits, or while watching a match. Shelled kernels can also be sprinkled over salads, mixed into bread dough, or added to granola and baked goods. At Dekenet Al Nes in Baaqline, in the Chouf, sunflower seeds are sold by weight, by the kilo, from the shop's nuts section. Dekenet Al Nes is a package-free grocery store and solidarity initiative, so customers are encouraged to bring their own jars or bags and take only the amount they need, cutting down on plastic and single-use packaging.