The opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) originally comes from the Mediterranean region, but grows and thrives almost everywhere - including in our latitudes. Although the very he althy seeds of the opium poppy are often used for baking, the cultivation of the plant is prohibited in Germany. Not only the seeds are obtained from the seed capsules of the opium poppy, but also the opiate-containing latex - which can ultimately be used to produce opium and heroin.
Are opium poppy seeds legal and suitable for consumption?
Opium poppy seeds, also known as baked or blue poppy seeds, contain small amounts of opiates, but are suitable for baking and cooking and are legally permitted. They are rich in calcium, vitamins, trace elements and unsaturated fatty acids. However, the cultivation of opium poppies is prohibited in Germany.
Baking with opium poppy seeds
The opium poppy seed - available in the supermarket in whole or ground form as baked or blue poppy seeds - also contains small amounts of opiates, but is not suitable for making drugs. Instead, the nutty and very oily ones can be used for baking and cooking: poppy seed rolls, bread with poppy seeds, poppy seed cakes and yeast dumplings with poppy seeds - traditional and modern cuisine offers a variety of tried and tested and delicious recipes.
Poppy seeds contain only a small amount of opiates
There is no risk of getting high or becoming addicted - after all, the opiate content in the seeds is simply too low for that. However, a drug test can still be positive after eating a poppy seed roll, and the import of foods containing poppy seeds is strictly prohibited in many countries.
Rich in vitamins and trace elements
Opium poppy seeds are among the foods richest in calcium, and the grains also contain many vitamins from the B group as well as many important trace elements and minerals. The seeds provide magnesium (347 milligrams per 100 grams of seeds), phosphorus (870 milligrams per 100 grams of seeds), iron, zinc, potassium and sodium. The seeds are also rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which is why they are often pressed into cooking oil.
Buy opium poppies unground if possible
If you want to use the opium poppy seeds for baking, it is best to buy them whole. The grains contain a lot of linoleic acid, which is difficult to retain in ground seeds and then quickly becomes rancid. If necessary, you can easily grind the seeds finely in a coffee or grain grinder.
Buy and grow opium poppies
You can legally buy the seeds of the opium poppy under the name blue poppy or baking poppy in the supermarket, but also in organic shops, pharmacies, he alth food stores or on the Internet. In theory, these seeds are even suitable for sowing, provided they are not ground. However, it is better not to do so, because the cultivation of opium poppies in Germany falls under the Narcotics Act and is therefore strictly prohibited. You are allowed to buy and use the seeds, but not to cultivate the plant - violators face prison sentences of up to five years or high fines. In exceptional cases, however, poppy cultivation can be applied for and permitted at the Federal Opium Office.
Tip
If you only want to plant poppies in the garden as an ornamental plant, you can use legal species such as Turkish poppies, golden poppies or corn poppies. However, their seeds are not suitable for consumption.
