poppy seed

Thân thiện

A baker sprinkles poppy seeds on top of a freshly baked loaf.

Definition

Noun 1. The small, kidney-shaped seed of the opium poppy plant (Papaver somniferum): A tiny, edible seed, typically blue-grey to black in color, harvested from the dried seed pod of the poppy flower. It is used as a culinary ingredient, either whole or ground.

Usage and Examples

• As a culinary ingredient:
  • The bagel was topped with poppy seeds.
  • The recipe calls for two tablespoons of poppy seed filling.
• Describing the seed itself:
  • A single poppy seed is so small it can get stuck in your teeth.

Advanced Usage

• "Poppy seed" as a modifier: The term is frequently used attributively (like an adjective) to describe other nouns, indicating that something contains or is made with poppy seeds.
  • She bought a poppy seed muffin.
  • The cake had a poppy seed crust.

Variants and Related Words

• Poppyseed: An alternative, often single-word spelling (e.g., poppyseed dressing).
• Poppy seed filling/paste: A sweet preparation made by grinding poppy seeds and mixing them with milk, butter, sugar, or honey, commonly used in Central and Eastern European pastries.

Synonyms and Near-Synonyms

• Edible seed: A general descriptive term.
• Culinary seed: A general term highlighting its use in food.

Notes on Different Meanings

• The term "poppy seed" refers specifically to the seed itself for culinary use. It is distinct from other parts of the poppy plant or its derivatives.
• It should not be confused with the source plant's name ("opium poppy") or other products derived from it, which have different legal and culinary statuses.

Học thuật

Noun

1. small grey seed of a poppy flower; used whole or ground in baked items