Expert Ways To Eat Poppy Seeds

Poppy seeds can be described as very small seeds, almost resembling the size of sesame seeds. The shape of these seeds derived from the opium poppy plant is however different than regular seeds used in the culinary industry; they are kidney-shaped. Their origin is linked to Southwest Asia and in recent days are an important ingredient in various cuisines around the world where they are used in baking, cooking, and as a garnish.

Its nutty flavor and slight crunch make it a perfect addition to different recipes, especially baked items where its roasted nutty flavor can remind you of the taste of sesame or sunflower seeds. The recipes of poppy seeds famous among bakers and bakery lovers include lemon poppy seed cake and poppy seed rolls.

The opiate content of poppy seeds is surprisingly low, contrary to what the opium poppy plant contains. The trace amounts of opiates present in them make their consumption safe, but only in typical culinary amounts. Furthermore, as they are rich in fiber, healthy fats, and various minerals, their addition to the diet is associated with a lot of health benefits; similar to any other seeds used in cooking.

Poppy seeds can be used in many different ways, they are suitable for sweet as well as savory dishes. The seeds are perfect to have a decorative appearance in breads and pastries and crunch to salads. Let's look at how poppy seeds can be used to have an extra layer of flavor:

In Baked Items

Poppy seeds can be used in baking either directly to dough or batter or are sprinkled on top of bread dough before baking. The earlier way gives subtle crunch to every bite of the baked product and the latter one is a chef's way to get the decorative texture. It is also perfect for an added texture.

As the seeds have a mild taste, they won't overpower the flavor of the baked items, rather, they let main ingredients like citrus and vanilla shine. Other than the above-mentioned ways, poppy seeds can also be ground and combined with sugar and milk to make fillings for pastries like poppy seed rolls.

If you are planning to incorporate poppy seeds in dough or batter, we recommend you toast the seeds beforehand. This way, your baked product will have a perfect aroma and a deep flavor. This is especially true in recipes like muffins.

In Snacks

Crunchy snacks get even more crunchier after adding poppy seeds. The seeds are perfect in recipes such as homemade crackers where they can be incorporated into the cracker dough before baking. It perfectly complements other ingredients, herbs, cheese and spices used in the dough.

Other snacks like breadsticks, pretzels, or granola can also be coated with poppy seeds. Once baked, these snacks are attractive in appearance and have an extra bite. The recipes that use seeds, like granola, can also be perfect for the addition of poppy seeds. In these recipes, they work together with oats, nuts, and dried fruits to provide both flavor and crunch.

Toppings in Salads or Grain Bowls

Any salads and grain bowls can be made crunchier with poppy seeds, the ones roasted properly. As they have a mild flavor, they can be used instead of other prominent seeds like sunflower and pumpkin seeds. The gentler flavor of the seeds is what makes it ideal for dishes that feature delicate greens or lighter grains.

Another reason behind poppy seeds being a great addition in salads and grain bowls is their small size. They can be sprinkled evenly throughout the dish, so there is a very low chance for you to add just the right amount of crunch without dominating the dish.

If we have to compare other generally used seeds in salads and grain bowls, sesame seeds have a stronger flavor and a tendency to take over the flavors of other ingredients. Chia seeds, on the other hand, make the texture of any dish gelatinous, which might not be preferable in all cases. So, using poppy seeds creates a win-win situation here, you have crunchy salads/ grain bowls and actual flavors and textures of ingredients.

In Morning Smoothie or Yogurt

A nutritious breakfast to start the morning with, including poppy seeds in your smoothie or yogurt can be the best way to use the seeds in daily meals. When blended in smoothies, they will perfectly provide a touch of texture, adding interest without overpowering the flavors of fruits, vegetables, or other ingredients. They work particularly well in fruit-based smoothies as they perfectly pair with the sweetness of the fruit. 

In yogurt, the seeds won't lose their significant crunch. The addition offers a satisfying bite with the creaminess of the yogurt intact. You can put your wonderful toppings in the yogurt, fruits, honey, or granola, and enjoy your morning meal in a unique way.

As A Garnish

Poppy seeds make an excellent garnish for savory dishes. Casseroles, roasted vegetables, meats or savory bread, the seeds can be sprinkled in these dishes to have a beautiful contrast with the original color of the dishes.

The tiny size and mild flavor won't take over the flavors of the main ingredients. Poppy seeds are even more perfect for delicate garnishes like creamy vegetable soup or a rich casserole, where the creaminess or richness of the dishes won't be hampered. They work well with other ingredients like greens, grains, roasted vegetables, or grains, without competing with the bolder flavors of dressings or spices.

Moreover, poppy seeds also work well with other ingredients like greens or roasted vegetables, without competing with the bolder flavors of dressings or spices.

The different nutrients present in poppyseeds, as per the USDA, are listed below:

• Fat: A tablespoon of poppy seeds, around 8.8 grams, has 5% fat. Polyunsaturated fat is the most abundant fat while saturated fat makes a small portion of the total fat content.
• Cholesterol and sodium: There are no traces of cholesterol and a small amount of sodium, around 2.3 mg, in the poppy seeds.
• Carbs and Fiber: A total of 2.5g of carbohydrates is present in a tablespoon of poppy seeds, 1.7 g of which is occupied by dietary fiber.
• Protein: The protein content in a tablespoon of poppy seeds is around 1.6g.
• Potassium: Compared to sodium, poppy seeds have a high amount of potassium. In a tablespoon of the seeds, 63.3 mg of potassium is present.
• Minerals: Calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc are some minerals present in poppy seeds.

The presence of essential nutrients like dietary fiber and minerals including magnesium, makes poppy seeds a healthy seed. Let's have a look at the major health benefits of poppy seeds:

Good For Digestive Health

With a significant amount of dietary fiber, poppy seeds can be great for digestive health. The best part is poppy seeds can be added to any meal of the day, so when you use them in your daily meal, you are helping your gut to function smoothly, reducing chances of constipation and improper bowel movements.

Good For Heart Due To Healthy Fats

Poppy seeds are less in unhealthy fats, the saturated ones. Also, they don't have any cholesterol.

The seeds however have a good amount of unsaturated fatty acids, which are considered healthier ones. So, altogether, consuming poppy seeds means you are reducing the chances of accumulation of bad cholesterol levels in the body. This is important in keeping heart cells healthy and vital.

Creates a Healthy Skin

In addition to having healthy fats, poppy seeds also have skin-healthy compounds called antioxidants. Antioxidants obtained from foods help keep skin nourished and elastic, and after regularly obtaining them from the diet, the aging signs subside.

Furthermore, antioxidants present in poppy seeds also put the effects of environmental stressors away. As a result, the skin cells are protected from harmful effects of UV rays and pollution.

Relieves Pain

The presence of opiates makes poppy seeds a perfect pain reliever. When they are consumed on a regular basis, by incorporating them into different recipes, the trace amount of opium compounds such as morphine present in the seeds, and body pain has been found to go away.

This effect is more pronounced when the seeds are used immediately after the harvest, the ones whose opium latex isn't removed. These seeds are used to make a pain-relieving tea. The use of poppy seeds for pain relieving is however biased, as it has been shown that the seeds can have a lethal amount of opium compounds and are considered safe only if consumed under the supervision of medical personnel. 

A Potential Cure For Insomnia

The mild sedative property of poppy seeds is due to the trace opium compounds present in poppy seeds. So, poppy seeds can be a remedy for individuals who are constantly facing sleep depriviation at night.

Poppy seeds can be consumed in the form of tea or any other meal to get this desired effect. The seeds can be even more helpful when you consume them near the sleeping hours.

Increases Female Fertility

The presence of essential minerals like zinc in poppy seeds is what makes it an important food for for reproductive health. Due to the presence of vital minerals, the seeds are natural option for increasing female fertility.

The nutrients found in poppy seeds may help support hormonal balance and reproductive function, promoting overall wellness and enhancing fertility. Including poppy seeds as part of a balanced diet may help improve reproductive health in women.

Some popular yet simple recipes for poppy seeds are listed below:

Poppy Seed Rolls

Poppy seed rolls are a classic treat, all they contain is a sweetened poppy seed filling over the dough. The simple recipe to prepare poppy seed roll is given below:

1. First, start by making the filling. The seeds are made into powder, which is then mixed with sugar, milk, and butter. The filling is completed by adding some drops of lemon juice and the whole mix is placed in the refrigerator for setting.
2. The prepared dough is placed on the workplace and shaped into a thin rectangle.
3. The poppy seed is placed into the rectangle and rolled till the end.
4. All the rolls prepared like this are baked, for a crunchier texture, rolls are brushed with beaten egg white.

Poppy Seed Dippers

The dipping sauce prepared using poppy seeds can be enjoyed with breadsticks or crackers. To prepare this follow the steps given below:

1. Gather all the necessary ingredients, poppy seeds, honey, mayonnaise, paprika, and lemon juice. Beat all these ingredients in a bowl.
2. Let the dip set for a while and enjoy it with your favorite kind of crackers!

Noodles with Poppy Seeds

Noodles with poppy seeds is a traditional recipe that comes from Europe. Let's have a look at the preparation:

1. Cook the noodles as usual. You can also use pasta in the recipe.
2. Mix powdered sugar, poppy seed, and melted butter in a bowl.
3. Now, in the bowl containing cooked and strained noodles, add the mixture made above.
4. Enjoy when warm.

Poppy Seed Cake

Poppy seeds give the cake a delightful crunch, just imagine having a cake crunchy on each bite! The cake can be prepared in three steps; preparing the batter, baking the cake and preparing and decorating the cake with frosting. We have simplified the cake making process below:

1. Mix poppy seeds with buttermilk. Let the whole mixture warm up. Once out of heat, cover the mix for a while.
2. Now, take sugar, butter, vanilla, lemon zest and salt in a bowl. Beat the mix until a creamy texture is formed.
3. Then, add eggs to the mixture. Keep on beating the mix until the egg mixes completely forming a smooth mix.
4. The poppy seeds, the liquid prepared above, and the baking flour should be added next to form the batter.
5. The batter is then place into the cake pans and allowed to bake. You can make as many layers as you want.
6. Once the cake cools, spread poppy seeds frosting over the layers of the cake.
7. You can prepare the poppy seed frosting by using egg whites and sugar. The mix is warmed, cream is added to it and then whipped. Vanilla, salt and lemon juice is added to it, the whipping is continued until a meringue is formed.