Plumeria Flowers Delivery

Poppy seed is a spice мейд up of the seeds of the opium poppy plant, Papaver somniferum. The opium poppy is native to Asia Minor, a member of the Poppy family, Papaveraceae. Poppies have been cultivated for thousands of years as evidenced by seeds that have been unearthed at archaeological sites and through ancient writings.

An annual plant that grows 3 to 15 feet tall, the opium poppy produces large blue or white flowers on singular stalks. After flowering the seed pods are collected and dried to obtain the seeds within the pods. This poppy plant is also the source of several narcotic compounds, namely opium, from which heroin, morphine and codeine are produced.

The cultivation of poppies for opium is at odds with harvesting the seeds of the plant. Opium is obtained by harvesting the milky latex from green seed pods during the time when the seeds are immature. Harvesting a poppy plant for opium means that seeds won't be harvested from the same plant. Growing poppy plants for seeds requires a longer growing period after which the entire seed head is harvested and dried. Hundreds of seeds are contained in the dried seed pods.

Opium alkaloids are contained in all parts of the plant. It is possible to obtain a false positive drug test after eating foods with poppy seeds, but only if a large amount of seeds are consumed. Some countries even outlaw the importation of poppy seeds due to the possibility of morphine content in the seeds. Perhaps this is why some ancient cultures used poppy seeds as a sedative, even though the possible drug content is negligible.

Poppy seeds are very small, measuring about a millimeter long. The tiny, kidney-shaped seeds are added to foods for their crunchy texture and nutty flavor and as a decoration. Depending on the variety of poppy the seeds can be black, blueish-gray or white. Bakery products seem to use the most seeds although European and Indian cuisines use them liberally in main courses and as a thickening agent. Other foods that use poppy seeds include breads, rolls, cakes, cookies, biscuits, dressings, salads and vegetable dishes. Poppy seed bagels, bialys, and lemon poppy seed cake are popular treats. Strudel and nut rolls may be filled with a paste that is мейд from the crushed seeds.

Poppy seeds are also added to bird seed mixtures as they are highly nutritious. Both domestic and wild birds will eat them.

Poppy seeds, which have 44 to 50% oil content, are pressed to make oil. The oil contains mostly linoleic and oleic fatty acids. It's a carrier oil because it's colorless, has very little odor and has a pleasant taste. Older applications are found in producing paints, varnishes and soaps.

In medicine iodized poppy seed oil is sterilized and used to deliver iodine to a patient for prevention of iodine deficiency. It's used as a contrast agent for radiographic studies so the blood vessels and organs stand out better on X-rays and CT-scans. Through its use as a contrast agent it was found that tumors selectively took up the iodized oil. It's being researched as a method for delivery of anti-cancer medications directly to tumors, especially liver tumors.

Due to the high oil content poppy seeds can turn rancid quickly, so the shelf life is only about six months for the seeds and one month for the paste. Store under refrigeration for longer keeping.

Naomi Gallagher is a writer and a fantastic cook with a love for machines that help her make the most of her time in the kitchen. Making homemade bread has become one of her specialties. Learn more by visiting her sites where she likes to write about making bread and cooking great food: and [sunbeambreadmachine/].