Organic Poppy Seeds, Black

General Information

Botanical Name: Papaver somniferum

Certified organic

Origin: Turkey

Black poppy seeds are an oilseed obtained from the dried seed pods of the poppy flower. These tiny, kidney-shaped seeds have been harvested by various civilizations for thousands of years for both culinary and sedative uses. To some extent, harvesting for poppy seeds is in conflict with harvesting for opium. Poppy seeds of superior quality are harvested from ripe seed pods whereas opium is harvested while the seed pods are still green and their latex is abundant.

Qualities

Poppy seeds are composed of 6% water, 28% carbohydrates, 42% fat, and 21% protein and are a rich source of thiamin, folate, and several essential minerals including calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and zinc.

Common Use

The seeds are used, whole or ground, as an ingredient in many foods all over the world – especially in pastry and bread, or pressed to yield poppy seed oil.