Poppy Seeds and All Its Goodness

by Amanda Rush

Most probably, you are interested in poppy seeds, hence you clicked on this page. Or maybe, you are too fond of pastries that you want to know the seeds that are baked in or sprinkled in them. Whatever is your case, this article will let you know about the facts of poppy seeds which are widely used as ingredients in our favourite pastries.

Poppy seeds are known by people who are fond of foods and who make a living through baking. Perhaps it will be correct to say that poppy seeds are barely known by most people. For this reason, it is a good idea to allot this page for the important information about these seeds. If you havent heard about poppy seeds, read on and find out their interesting facts.

Asia, due to its climate, has the best soil for poppy plants. Poppy plant bears poppy seeds at its head. The seeds are small and dried which come with a nutty flavor.

Although mainly used as food ingredient today, during the ancient times poppy seeds were popularly used as medicines. In Greece, they were introduced by Hippocrates as a remedy for insomnia. Today, health experts have found out the other medicinal benefits of poppy seeds. It is found out that poppy seeds are effective cure for coughs, earaches, toothaches, inflammation, fever, dysentery and the list goes on. For these, poppies are cultivated in many parts of the world.

Poppy seeds are most popular today as food ingredients in different pastries. Most of the time, they are sprinkled in cakes, bread or rolls. Aside from its nutty taste, poppy seeds are very enticing to eat because of the nutrients each seed contains. The seeds contain linoeic acid, oleic acid, and unsaturated fatty acids. Moreover, the seeds have extracts that can be used in cooking and making soaps.

Apart from its health benefits, poppy seeds are perceived to be a symbol of fertility and prosperity. They are used in rituals and as amulets to fight off bad luck and to attract love, money, and luck. Red poppy seeds are also a symbol for fallen warriors.

Documents can attest for the health benefits of poppy seeds but studies show that these seeds bear negative effects if precautions are not taken. Poppy seeds contain alkaloids such as morphine and codeine which are addictive. Health experts prohibit consumers from eating the unripe seeds and recommend the ripe ones instead. The ripe ones contain small amounts of alkaloids hence they are relatively safe to eat.

Knowing all these facts is very necessary in order to know how we can benefit most from poppy seeds and how to avoid their undesirable effects.