Chieftain^® Wild Rice Company

POPPY SEED

Description:

Poppy Seeds are the tiny nutty tasting seeds inside capsules on the opium plant that is native to the Middle East.  This annual plant produces Poppy Seeds and also opium, morphine and codeine (derived from the sap of unripe pods).  Poppy Seeds are small and slate blue in color. The Greeks used the seeds as flavoring for breads in the second century and Medieval Europeans used them as a condiment with breads. The botanical name for the Poppy flower means, “sleep bearing”.  The seed does not have this effect. The red Poppy flower has been the symbol of honor and fallen warriors throughout history and was adopted as the emblem to commemorate Veterans Day in the United States.

Suggested Use:

Poppy Seeds are used to flavor breads, cakes, rolls, and cookies.  Poppy Seeds may be ground and used in desserts or to thicken sauces.  In Jewish, German and Slavic cooking Poppy Seeds are using in noodle, fish and vegetable dishes.  Added to vegetables and salad dressings, they add a nice nutty flavor with a slight crunchy texture.