Do Poppy Seeds Go Bad?

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Poppy seed is an oilseed that is obtained from a flowering plant named opium poppy. It is originated in Greece, and now it is widely used all over the world. It is used in baking and in a variety of dishes to make them super healthy and tasty.

Poppy seeds are tiny, cute, and little seeds with bluish-black color. They have a bean shape. They are widely used for decorating food, so it looks elegant and attractive. Poppy seeds have a crunchy texture with a sweet and pleasant taste. You may end up buying these cute seeds. Now, you are wondering does poppy seed go bad or not? Well, yes, they can go bad if not stored properly. Don’t worry, though! Our article covers all the ways you need to store them. So, let’s get started.

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How to store poppy seed?

Poppy seeds are quite beneficial for your health. They are good for the health of your heart and also helps to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. You can add them to your meal. It will add a good flavor as well as make it crunchy.

There are different ways used to store poppy seeds. Some of them are mentioned right below. So, quickly read them and store your poppy seeds so they will not go bad.

Store in pantry

One of the easy and simple ways to store the poppy seeds is to keep them in the panty. Place the poppy seeds in the air-tight jar or container. Put that jar in a cool and dry place. A pantry or even cupboard is fine to keep.

If you want to preserve and maintain the flavor of poppy seed for longer, store them in the refrigerator. Place that air-tight jar in the refrigerator. Keep the seeds away from the moisture. Store well and enjoy the poppy seeds anytime you like.

Away from heat

Another good tip used to store the poppy seeds is to keep them away from the sun or any other heat source. Exposure to heat causes the poppy seeds to go bad soon. It spoils their texture and taste. Store them in a chilly and shady place.

Drying

You can dry your poppy seeds to store them for a longer period. All you have to do is to keep them in the open container and let them dry. Make sure that there is good ventilation. Once they are dried completely, store them in a cool and dark place. Make your meal delicious by adding poppy seeds.

Can you freeze poppy seed?

Poppy seeds help to heal wounds in the skin. They are known to have pain-relieving compounds. They are used to treat different diseases like headaches, coughs, and asthma. Don’t you think that homemade treatment is here for you!

Poppy seeds are best for topping and decorating your food. Freezing the poppy seeds is probably the best option for preserving them for a longer period. Now, you are wondering that how to freeze them? It is simple. Just follow few instructions, and that’s all you need.

Once you got the poppy seeds, take a freezer bag. Place the seeds in the freezer bag and place them in the freezer. Don’t forget to mark the date on which you are freezing the seeds. The poppy seeds don’t even take time to defrost. Take them out of the freezer and make your meal amazing by adding these seeds.

How long does poppy seed last?

Another amazing fact about poppy seed is that it is extremely beneficial for digestion. It is rich in fibers and prevents constipation. Having any eyesight issues? If yes, then make the poppy seeds a part of your regular diet. They improve your vision.

After learning many benefits about the poppy seeds, you are definitely going to make it a part of your diet. Right! The shelf life of poppy seeds is pretty long. In the refrigerator, you can keep the poppy seeds for about six months.

BOOM! You can keep the poppy seeds for three to four years in the pantry. Isn’t it great! In the dried form, you can keep them for one year. In the freezer, you can store the poppy seeds for twelve months.

How to tell if poppy seed is bad?

Do you know? Poppy seeds are used in the treatment of diabetes. What else is more beneficial? When the poppy seeds go bad, it is pretty obvious to tell. Here are some of the indications that will help you to identify the spoiled seed.

The poppy seeds have bluish-black color. If you notice some discoloration, then don’t consume them.
If any bad or foul smell is coming from the seeds, then it is obvious that they are not safe to eat. Better to throw them away.
Check for the presence of mold. If you notice any kind of mold or fungal growth, then throw them away.
If the poppy seeds give you a sour or bitter taste instead of sweet, then don’t consume those seeds.

What does Poppy Seed Look Like?

Poppy seeds are tiny seeds that have the shape of a kidney. These seeds have a normal size of 1 mm in length. Moreover, the color of poppy seeds varies based on their type. You may find a color between dark blue to greyish blue. While the poppy plant has a height of one meter. The plant is filled with flowers all across. Each flower has around 4 or 6 petals. The colors of petals vary. You can find petals of almost all colors depending on the region it is grown. Moreover, this spice is also available in two different forms. You can find both ground and whole forms of poppy seeds.

Where does Poppy Seed Come From?

As stated above, poppy seeds are native to Greece and the Orient. Its cultivation history can be traced back to ancient times. Its existence was found in the medical books of ancient civilizations. One example is from Egyptian papyrus, which is around 1550 B.C. They called it a sedative seed. Besides, another evidence can be traced back to around 2700 B.C. to 1450 B.C. It was cultivated by the people of the island of Crete. They used to cultivate it for their seeds. They used the combination of opium, honey, and milk. Moreover, another civilization known as the Sumerians was also one of the first cultivators of poppy seeds.

How is Poppy Seed Made?

Since the poppy seeds come from the opium plant, you must begin the process by planting the plant. The opium plant is super easy to grow. First, the plant begins flowering during early summer or late spring. Then, the petals start dropping, and the fruit, i.e., seeds pod, starts getting visible. The pods contain a large number of black seeds. For getting the seeds, you can wait until the plant dies. Then you can put them in nylon stockings or cheesecloth. Afterward, keep shaking the pods until the seeds completely fell off.

What Does Poppy Seed Taste Like?

The poppy seeds have a very nutty flavor. It has a mild taste that resembles the taste of nuts. Poppy seeds do not have a sharp taste. If you taste this spice, you will feel a great fruitiness along with a nut-like aroma.

How is Poppy Seed Used in Cooking?

All types of poppy seeds can be used for cooking. You can add the ground form with other spices like garam masala, chili powder, curry, etc. It will give a little nutty flavor to the recipe. Besides, you can also add whole seeds to the recipe. Add it whenever you want to have a nice flavor and aroma.

What Types of Cuisines Use Poppy Seed?

Poppy seeds are highly used in Indian, Asian, and western cuisines. It is mostly found in sweet dishes and cakes and cookies, etc. In European cuisines, it is mostly used in bread, pastries, and buns, etc.

What is a Poppy Seed Substitute?

If you are out of poppy seeds and cannot find one, you can use some of its substitutes. They will give almost similar tastes and aroma. Some good substitutes for poppy seeds are chia seeds, toasted sesame seeds, nigella seeds, hemp seeds, and flax seeds.

Where to Buy Poppy Seed?

If you are looking for quality, taste, and affordability all in a single product, then it can be quite hard to find. But don’t worry because we have done the work for you. We have picked few best products for you. They have all the qualities that you look for. These poppy seed products are listed below.

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