Help,Are all poppy seeds edible??

**Hilary B** · 09-10-2011, 12:01 PM

As far as I know, yes. When opium is extracted from poppies, it comes from the unripe seed-POD, not the seeds.
I don't know about the yellow/orange ones known by assorted name (including 'welsh' poppies) but the red wild ones, and their domesticated cousins (in all red/pink shades from deep purple to white) should be OK.

**Mizjazzi** · 09-10-2011, 05:02 PM

Thanks Hilary B,

They were all the domesticated variety,whites,pink and purple etc.

Did not want to poison my family, my husband has enough problems since his brain attack.
I am just starting to bake with the stuff that I grew,and had a yen to bake something I miss.

Mizjazzi

**VirginVegGrower** · 09-10-2011, 07:37 PM

No! There is a certain type which is very low in opiates. If you try eating papaver somniferum you could experience something you would rather not. I will find the variety which is safe and come back to you with a name. Please do not use oriental poppy seed either.

**VirginVegGrower** · 09-10-2011, 07:46 PM

Originally posted by Hilary B View Post

As far as I know, yes. When opium is extracted from poppies, it comes from the unripe seed-POD, not the seeds.
I don't know about the yellow/orange ones known by assorted name (including 'welsh' poppies) but the red wild ones, and their domesticated cousins (in all red/pink shades from deep purple to white) should be OK.

The seed also contains opiates.

**Maccabee** · 09-10-2011, 11:26 PM

Whoops. I ate a few i'd saved from my opium poppies without thinking. It was a boring evening iirc so i can't have ate enough to have an effect. Shame lol

**chris** · 10-10-2011, 05:39 AM

Yeah, come on VVG hurry up - I'd like to know which ones to avoid too.

**VirginVegGrower** · 10-10-2011, 07:42 AM

It's a lilac flowered one I seem to recall that is used for culinary purposes and the seed has low dose opiate. It's seed is slate blue not black. I am trying to find the variety but it will take me some time. Be patient CM - you could always try google

I lived overseas for a few years where the opium poppies are grown in abundance and without going into too much detail the scoring of the unripe seedhead is carried out but a ripe one still contains it albeit dried in the seed.
I must look for this particular variey. Much safer in my opinion to buy seeds from supermarket.

**VirginVegGrower** · 10-10-2011, 08:10 AM

OK for those who wish to grow a poppy for culinary purpose, T and M sell one called papaver paeoniflorum "Black Paeony". It is stated as edible seed variety.
The ones I remember from my time overseas and I know the seed was used widely for culinary purpose was a lilac flowered slate blue bread poppy which upon much googling, translates I think to the Hungarian papaver somniferum - the clue is in the latin root with this type of poppy; somnifer meaning soporific or fatal. Think insomnia - inability to sleep.
Morphine is derived from papaver somniferum. Please don't eat it without knowing what you are throwing in your cakes and bread.

**zazen999** · 10-10-2011, 08:14 AM

such hard work for so early in the morning.....sit down gal and get yersel a cuppa.

**VirginVegGrower** · 10-10-2011, 08:18 AM

I know - it's CM - he always likes to make me graft. Now for poppy seed tea - just kidding

**Mizjazzi** · 10-10-2011, 09:36 AM

This is turning into a major, interesting mission!

Quite confusing ,but fun and games!
As the recipe that I wanted to try is hungarian, I presume it is that variety.
I think that I will buy some new seeds for the purpose and then experiment on myself first.
Mine all looked like the right types anyway.

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**rustylady** · 10-10-2011, 09:46 AM

This has got me interested too. Been googling, and the poppy seeds used in baking are from papaver somniferum (the opium poppy). Apparently they contain low levels of opiate. Poppy seed - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**VirginVegGrower** · 10-10-2011, 10:38 AM

Wikipaedia is editable and not reliable RL. All papaver somniferum contain opiate but varieties differ in levels of. T and M state their variety as suitable. The one used in Turkey is the lilac one and the seeds have a blue grey colour not black. My papaver somniferum in the garden have black seeds.

**FROSTYFRECKLE** · 10-10-2011, 12:12 PM

VVG, is the poppy you are thinking about the Ziar Poppy? Slate grey seeds, pale flowers.

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Help,Are all poppy seeds edible??

Help,Are all poppy seeds edible??

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