Poppy

Dry poppy flowers are a unique and delicate ingredient that can add a subtle yet distinctive floral aroma and flavor to various dishes and beverages. These small and lightweight flowers are dried carefully to retain their natural qualities and properties, making them an excellent choice for those looking to add a touch of floral elegance to their creations.

Poppy flowers have a wide range of health benefits and medicinal properties, making them a popular choice in herbal medicine. They contain a high amount of antioxidants that can help prevent oxidative stress and cellular damage, making them useful in fighting inflammation and reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Poppy flowers are also rich in fiber, which can improve digestion and promote gut health.

These flowers can be used in a variety of ways, from being added to teas and tisanes to being used as a garnish in salads or baked goods. Poppy flowers are particularly popular in Middle Eastern cuisine, where they are used in traditional dishes such as the Iranian dish Kuku Sabzi and the Turkish dish Lahmacun.

To brew poppy flower tea, place a handful of dried flowers in a teapot or infuser and pour hot water over them. Let steep for 5-10 minutes, strain, and serve. Poppy flowers can also be steeped with other herbs and spices to create unique and flavorful blends.

Uses
The flowers of most poppy species are attractive and are widely cultivated as annual or perennial ornamental plants. The opium poppy is widely cultivated and its worldwide production is monitored by international agencies. It is used for production of dried latex and opium, the principal precursor of narcotic and analgesic opiates such as morphine, heroin and codeine. Poppy seeds are rich in oil, carbohydrates, calcium and protein. Poppy oil is often used as cooking oil, salad dressing oil, or in products such as margarine.  Poppy products are also used in different paints, varnishes, and some cosmetics.

Medicine
Ancient Egyptian doctors would have their patients eat seeds from a poppy to relieve pain. Poppy seeds contain small quantities of both morphine and codeine,which are pain-relieving drugs that are still used today.