Speaking of safflower seeds perhaps many people are still confused, what is safflower seeds, although many people have heard of safflower seed oil, but the concept of safflower seeds is still a little vague. What are safflower seeds? Safflower seeds, also known as grass safflower, chrysanthemum safflower, red orchid, du safflower, etc., is an annual dicotyledonous daisy family herb.

Safflower seeds are achenes, smaller than sunflower seeds, ellipsoid or obovate, about 5 millimeters long, slightly skewed at the base, white, without crown hairs, and quadrangular. Chinese medicine called "blood flat seed". The weight of a thousand grains is 33.6-49.8 grams. The outer layer is a relatively thick white protective shell, which is either smooth or ridged. Inside the shell is attached to a thin layer of seed coat, the embryo is encapsulated in the seed coat, and the oil and protein are contained in the embryo. The corolla of the safflower comes in white, yellow, orange, pink, scarlet, and crimson colors.

Safflower seeds contain 25%-37% oil, 15%-19% crude protein, and the seed kernel can contain more than 55% oil. From the analysis of these data you can know the high utilization value of safflower seeds.

In particular, the function of safflower seeds used to extract oil is of great concern. Safflower oil is bright orange-yellow, flavorful and delicious, and the amount of linoleic acid in the oil is higher than that of other fats and oils (up to 56%-80%). Consumption of safflower oil can reduce cholesterol, but also can be processed into margarine, mayonnaise and salad oil, etc., is a very good edible fats.