  |
Description
Poppy is the dried, kidney-shaped seed of the annual Papaver
somniferum. The seeds are very small in size, slate blue in
color and are nut-like in flavor.
Uses
Poppy Seed is used topically on breads and rolls, and added to
vegetables and salad dressings. Turkish cuisine uses toasted
Poppy Seeds, while Indian and Turkish spice blends rely on
crushed Poppy Seeds for flavor and texture.
Origins
Poppy Seed is produced in various countries including the
Netherlands, Australia, Romania and Turkey. The Dutch variety,
noted for its uniform slate blue color, is recognized as the
best quality seed and comprises most imports into the United
States.
Folklore
Poppy seed has been cultivated for over 3,000 years. The tiny
poppy seed actually comes from the plant that produces opium.
The botanical name for the poppy flower means "sleep bearing."
Poppies were even used in the Wizard of Oz to put Dorothy to
sleep. The seed does not have this effect. Poppy seed was used
as a condiment as early as the first century A.D. The red poppy
flower has been the symbol of fallen warriors throughout history
and was adopted as the emblem to commemorate Veterans Day in the
United States.
|
|
|
