Poppy Oil

Poppy oil is botanically known Oleum papaveris and is a vegetable oil obtained by pressing the seeds of the opium poppy known as Papaver somniferum or the garden poppy. This oil is used as a condiment as it does not have the problem of becoming rancid, in the production of artistic materials and for the manufacture of some products for the body.

There is a process of cold pressing the seeds that produce a virgin or white oil botanically known as huile blanche. The oil has a yellow tint, a bland, but pleasant taste and is used in countries such as France and Germany as a salad oil. It is also used to make poppy oil cakes in India that the poor population eats and in the valley of Granges and other opium regions in foods. Poppy oil is used in these countries, as it does not turn rancid as olive oil might. This oil during the first pressing is a high quality oil and is similar to sunflower oil.

There is a second pressing of the seeds it can be done is called a hot pressing, which approximately another 20 or 25 percent of the poppy oil can be obtained. During this pressing heat is used and the oil that is obtained as a reddish color and is used by painters as it has a linseed odor to it and its taste is bitter. It is also used in making soaps, liniments and other products.