Poppy Seeds

Source: Mountain Rose Herbs
Organic + Kosher
Origin: Turkey

COMMON NAME
Standardized: opium poppy
Other: poppy

BOTANICAL NAME
Papaver somniferum L.
Plant Family: Papaveraceae

OVERVIEW
The familiar blue poppy seeds used to flavor noodles, breads, and bagels and to make poppy seed kolachi (a Czech pastry) are produced by the same plant used to make opium. Poppy seeds contain only trace amounts of opium, not enough to get a high, but enough to influence a drug test. Experienced testers can tell the difference between use of heroin and consumption of poppy seeds by the presence of thebaine, a chemical only found when the person tested has been eating the seeds.

PARTS USED
Dried seed.

TYPICAL PREPARATIONS
Used most often in culinary recipes.

SUMMARY
While poppy seeds can be pressed for oil, they are most commonly used to flavor and to add flavor, texture and color to noodles, breads, and pastries. To bring out a nutty flavor, toast or crush before use. Most culinary grade Poppy seeds have been steam steriliz