Poppy is the dried seed of an annual herb indigenous to the Mediterranean region and Central Asia. The poppy seeds are sweet and mild, with a
nutty flavour and aroma. The seeds are not narcotic. Opium is obtained from the latex of the mature fruits by making incisions on them. Therefore, no opium reaches the seeds from the ovaries. The fruits are dried and the seeds extracted. Indian poppy seeds are popularly used in carrot, pea and tomato dishes and in several types of dips. They are frequently sprinkled over chilled soups, savoury pastry crusts, rolls and other bakery products. Cultivation of poppy in India is confined to a few regions in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.