Poppy Seeds

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Fine dark blue poppy seeds (Papaver somniferum) are obtained from a variety of sleeping poppy called oilseed. Poppy is successfully cultivated in many countries with warm climates, including in our country. The seeds are small with a whitish or gray color, with a specific aroma and use in cooking.

The poppy is an annual herbaceous plant. The poppy seed itself is located in capsules that remain after the flower withers. They are mostly used in dried form. The seeds are small, resembling thin hard grains. They have a fine taste of nuts, and their color changes from blue-gray to white or yellow-brown. The blue-grays are about 1 mm long and the whites are smaller.

Larger poppy seeds are considered European because they are often used on breads, baguettes and confectionery. Whites, considered Indian, Middle Eastern and Asian, are used more in local cuisine. In the tastes of these two types of poppy seeds there is a very small difference.

Poppies are thought to have first appeared in the Mediterranean, India, Turkey and Iran.

Poppy is a genus of annual, biennial and perennial plants of the poppy family (Papaveraceae), and about 100 species are known worldwide. They are distributed mainly in the northern hemisphere, and in Bulgaria there are 8 of them. It is the most common in Bulgaria, and not only here, as a weed the Polish poppy.

Poppy colors range from white, through red, yellow, orange to blue. Some of the flowers have a darker center. The seeds of the oil-bearing poppy, which originates from Asia Minor, are used as a spice. Today, their largest producers are the Netherlands and Canada.

The species has the greatest economic importance sleeping poppy (Papaver somniferum), which is grown for opium production and is not found in the wild. Papaver somniferum is not found wild and should not be confused with the field poppy, which is widespread as a weed in crops and grassy areas throughout Bulgaria.

Hypnotic poppy is grown as an oil crop and raw material for the pharmaceutical industry, as well as a culinary spice.

From the immature, green seed capsules of the sleeping poppy, milk juice rich in alkaloids, called opium, is obtained. It is a starting material for the production of heroin, morphine, codeine and analgesics. Poppy seeds are harvested of fully ripe fruit and does not contain alkaloids.

A little story about poppy seeds

A beautiful legend says that the poppy seed appeared from the tears of Venus. When Venus lost her beloved Adonis, she wept inconsolably, shedding rivers of tears. Where they fell, poppies bloomed. That is why their petals still fall easily, like tears. Many beliefs are associated with poppy seeds.

Some of them point to it as a symbol of fertility. Poppies used to be placed on the clothes of the newlyweds to give them to children. In addition, poppies were once anathema as a sinister sign, as a symbol of sleep (because of opium) and death (because of their blood-red color).

In Greco-Roman myths, poppies symbolized impending death, and when colored light purple, they promised to be resurrected after the end of the earthly journey. Later, flowers signified honor, dignity, and respect. As early as the 2nd century, women in Crete grew them for opium.

Composition of poppy seeds

Poppy seeds contain milk juice rich in alkaloids. It is used as an oil-bearing plant, containing in the seeds up to 55% oil and many alkaloids. 100 grams of poppy seeds contain 41.56 g of fat, 28.13 g of carbohydrates, 17.99 g of protein and 525 kcal. In poppy seeds we find low levels of B vitamins and higher levels of sodium and potassium.

Selection and storage of poppy seeds

Buy well-packaged poppy seeds, the label of which has clear information about the producer and expiration date. Store it in a dark and dry place.

Poppy seeds in cooking

We are used to investing poppy seeds in various pastries - breads, pastries, biscuits and stuffing. It is important to know that poppy seeds are extremely difficult to grind, and cannot be fully absorbed by the body if they are not ground or at least crushed.

Poppy seeds are used often in salads and various pasta, but pre-baked or left in hot water for more than 3 hours. When using the seeds in salads, it is advisable to roast it beforehand, which makes the taste and aroma stronger. When using poppy seeds when making cakes or pies, it is good to be flooded with boiling water and stand for 1 to 3 hours before use. Store poppy seeds in a dry and ventilated place.

The delicate aroma and taste of walnut-like poppy seeds is felt after roasting or boiling. The seeds we use for baked cakes, breads, pasta fillings, Easter cakes, etc., do not contain drugs.

Poppy is suitable for some types of sauces and meats. Poppy seeds perfectly complement honey spread on bread. They are used to season vegetables and root vegetables and the sauces that flavor them. Sprinkled on a salad of cabbage, carrots and mayonnaise, they create color and taste contrast.

Try putting poppy seeds when cooking potatoes with cream and in baked dishes, and sometimes in fish dishes. In Turkey, they are often present in desserts, in India they are used to thicken sauces, and in Israel, Germany and Slavic cuisine - in cooking noodles, fish and vegetarian dishes, as well as in addition to crunchy cookies.

See more delicious suggestions for poppy cakes.

Poppy seed biscuits

oil - ½ tsp. soft, flour - 1 tsp, cornstarch - ¼ tsp, powdered sugar - ½ tsp, salt - ¼ tbsp, oranges - 1 tbsp. grated orange peel, poppy seeds - 2-3 tsp. slightly crushed

Method of preparation: Mix the flour with the salt, sugar and starch briefly in a blender or food processor. Add the butter and beat until crumbly. Add the poppy seeds and orange peel and knead the dough by hand. Leave the finished dough in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.

Then roll it out on a thin sheet about 1 cm and cut the desired shapes biscuits. Use a toothpick to make small holes in their surface. Leave them for 10 minutes in the freezer, then transfer them to a large square tray with baking paper and bake for about 10-12 minutes in a preheated oven at 150 ° C.

Benefits of poppy seeds

For medical purposes, poppy seeds of the snake milk type (Chelidonium majus) are also used. Western poppy seed syrup has a soothing and expectorant effect. Eastern species have a strong narcotic effect. Gargling with poppy seed infusion helps with toothache.

Poppy seed (Papaver rhoeas L.) has an antitussive effect. It is used to soothe a painful cough, but also for diarrhea, dysentery, nocturnal enuresis. Decoction of the fruit boxes is used for abdominal pain, cough, irregular menstruation, palpitations and more.

How to use: Prepare a decoction of 2 tbsp. seeds and 250 ml of boiling water. Take 1 tbsp. tea for 2 hours.

In fact, even Hippocrates suggested the use of poppy seeds in medicine. Opium used to treat asthma, stomach ailments and the evil eye. Centuries later, in Asia, the plant spread as an opiate. In 1830, the so-called An opium war in which China tries to stop opium sales from the British Empire. In the 19th century, the sale of poppy seeds as a drug was very common in Europe.

Harm from poppy seeds

Almost all types of poppies are insular and should not be used arbitrarily for treatment. The poppy is a potent herb, and poppy-based medications are used only on prescription and under medical supervision.