Cotton Seed

Nuts & Seeds

Cotton seeds come from the cotton plant, a vital agricultural crop known for both its fiber and oil-producing seeds. The Upland cotton variety is the most widely grown in the United States, prized for its balance of yield, fiber strength, and adaptability to diverse climates — especially in California’s Central Valley.

Agricultural Significance:

Primary use: Produces cotton fiber for textiles and seeds for oil extraction or livestock feed.

By-products: Cottonseed oil (used in cooking and snacks) and cottonseed meal (a protein-rich livestock supplement).

Sustainability: Cotton plants absorb carbon dioxide and improve soil aeration through deep roots.

Nutritional Value (when processed for oil or feed):

Cottonseed meal is high in protein (~40%) for cattle feed.

Contains healthy fats when refined into cottonseed oil.

Provides vitamin E and plant sterols for heart health (when consumed as oil).

Farming & Processing Notes:

Grown in warm, dry climates with long frost-free periods.

After harvest, cotton is ginned to separate lint (fiber) from seeds.

Seeds are then cleaned, pressed for oil, or milled for feed.

California growers focus on high-quality Upland varieties for textile-grade fiber.

Interesting Fact:
Each cotton boll produces about 30–40 seeds, which are covered in fine, soft fibers — the same fibers that make up over 90% of the world’s natural clothing material.

Harvest Season:
Late summer through fall (California: August–October).