Poppy Seeds, Certified Organic - 8 oz

Poppy seeds are a culinary delicacy, gracing the likes of puddings, cakes, pastries, breads, bagels, dressings and toppings. These little black seeds are nutty and fragrant. Add them to baked goods and salad dressings. Garnish grain dishes and fruit salads. Sauté with ghee or butter, lemon juice, a pinch of salt and fresh herbs; spoon over grains, fish and vegetables. Add to puddings, cakes, pastries, breads, bagels, dressings and toppings. Delicious mixed with cream cheese, honey and a dash of vanilla!

The poppy seed is very, very old. Its tremendous value and myriad uses are noted in several ancient medical texts from cultures dating as far back as 2700 BC, beginning in the Mediterranean region. Civilizations such as Egypt, Minoan and others from the Bronze Age as well as the ancient Sumerians are all known to have cultivated poppy for its valuable oil, calming properties, culinary uses, and more.

Teeny-tiny poppy seed are harvested from the dried seed pods of the lovely Papaver somniferum, aka the opium poppy. The seed can be white, bluish-black or black; each variety bears an edible oil that contains Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) and other tocopherols belonging to the Vitamin E family and phytosterols which are plant compounds known to boost health and immunity. The seeds are either ground or used whole in a variety of culinary delicacies but are especially popular in baked goods. Although treasured around the globe, the seeds are grown in only 15 countries; Spain, Czechia and Turkey are the largest producers.

In India, a variety of white poppy seed is readily available, although it is far less common in Western countries. Indian cuisine uses the seed in spicy, sweet and savory dishes and is commonly found in breads or mixed with potatoes, rice, vegetables, sugar, butter, coconut and chili peppers. One particularly famous way to enjoy poppy seed in India is in a variety of blissfully delicious beverages including rose milk, almond milk, Thandai (a cooling drink made from watermelon seeds, rose petals, saffron, spices, poppy seed, milk and sugar), sharbat (made from fruits and flower petals) and khus-khus (aka poppy seed in Hindi) which is a warming, winter beverage made from poppy seed, almonds and milk).

Poppy seed is sometimes ground and made into paste with all kinds of tasty ingredients including sugar, milk, butter, rum, lemon and lime zest, raisins and other dried fruits, cream, chopped nuts and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. The paste is used as a delicious filling for pastries, donuts, muffins, rolls, croissants and cakes. Regardless of how you wish to use poppy seeds, bear in mind that, whether white or dark, they are all interchangeable and equally nutritious and delicious; each variety will add just the right poppy-touch to all of your wonderful recipes. Enjoy these fun ideas:

• Sprinkle over fruit, vegetable and leafy green salads
• Add to baked goods such as quick breads, muffins, cakes, cookies and more
• Making homemade yeast or sourdough bread or rolls? Add poppy seeds for flavor, nutrition
• and a little poppy crunch
• Make Indian-style poppy seed beverages like Thandai, or add to a sweet or sour lassi
• Sauté poppy seed in ghee; stir into rice, noodles/pasta, quinoa, and other cooked hot grains, or spread over toast, English muffins or bread
• Oven-roast carrots, onions, rutabaga and other root vegetables with ghee or coconut ghee, poppy seeds, Himalayan pink salt, black pepper and any other favorite spices
• Make poppy seed butter – mix softened butter with poppy seeds. Add any additions desired like butter, honey, garlic, curry powder and fresh or dried herbs like dill, basil, chives, mint, oregano, etc.
• Blend with sour cream, crème-fraiche, Greek yogurt or cream cheese. Spread over bagels, toast, muffins, etc.
• Add poppy seeds to pancakes and waffles
• Make oatmeal-raisin-seed cookies with sunflower, pumpkin, sesame and poppy seeds
• Add to fruit and green salad dressings, both creamy and vinegary.
• Blend the seeds with fruit like strawberries and raspberries; mix with oil, fruity vinegar and spices. This is great over grilled or roasted fish or chicken
• Mix poppy s¬eeds into frostings and glazes, or make a lemon poppy seed cake!
• Add to sweet and savory curries
• Sprinkle over kitchari, dal, soups and stew