Opium poppy - food

Seeds from the opium poppy are edible and are used in a variety of foods, especially in baked products.

Seeds

Black and white sketch of a poppy and its components.
Opium poppy seeds can be used in all types of cooking.

Unlike the inripe seed capsules of opium poppies, the ripe seeds do not contain narcotic chemicals. They are used in many forms of cooking.

The seeds can be cooked in water with oil and salt and served with rice where they provide a nutty flavour. They are also blended with tamarind into a curry paste. In confectionary they are sprinkled on sweets and are added to baked goods like breads and cakes.