Is it toxic? "Opium raw material" used to make Turkish yogurt—tangy and sweet

▲Yogurt drizzled with poppy seeds and honey is a local snack in Isparta.

Text and photos by Jiu Wu E Qi

When poppies are mentioned, people immediately think of "opium," "drugs," and other illegal substances. However, aside from being used to extract opium, poppy seeds can also be used as ingredients in bread and desserts. During my trip to Turkey, I bravely tried"poppy seed yogurt", and it was truly memorable. Many people also worry, "Is it toxic?"

Yogurt is an essential dessert on the Turkish dining table and can be paired with fruits, vegetables, and more. Isparta, located between Pamukkale and Antalya, is a region in Turkey where poppies are abundantly cultivated. The poppies here are all government-certified and legally grown, and the unprocessed poppy seeds are non-toxic, so you can find yogurt topped with poppy seeds being sold by the roadside.

▲Poppy seeds.

The vendor scoops several spoonfuls of yogurt with a large ladle into a bowl, then generously drizzles it with honey and poppy seeds to create a traditional poppy seed yogurt. The yogurt itself has a smooth yet firm texture, leaving a slightly tangy aftertaste on the tongue and teeth. The supporting poppy seeds look somewhat like bird feed, with a faint plant oil aroma, reminiscent of sesame or fig seeds. When paired with yogurt, they create a unique chewy texture.

▲Drizzling honey adds sweetness and fragrance to the yogurt.

If the poppy seeds provide the "texture," then the thick honey becomes the main source of flavor. Turkish honey has an amber color, rich sweetness, and perfectly matches the Turkish fondness for sweet foods. Sometimes, you can even find pieces of honeycomb. For those with milder palates, like Taiwanese people, the sweet and tangy poppy seed yogurt might feel a bit too rich, but it’s still worth a try.

▲Bal kaymak, a mixture of butter and honey.

Besides poppy seed yogurt, locals also mix honey with thick cream to create a special sauce, which is spread on bread. This dish, called Bal kaymak, is often enjoyed with hot tea and is another popular dessert in the area.

Reference prices
Poppy seed yogurt: 8 lira
Bal kaymak + tea: 12 lira