From The Food Encyclopedia by Jacques Rolland and Carol Sherman
Used in food since before biblical times, mixed with wine and honey for the Roman table and fed to athletes competing in the first Olympic games. Poppy seeds are said to stimulate the appetite. They are opium-free, because opium is found in the pod and not the seed itself. Although it's hard to tell because of their size, poppy seeds are kidney-shaped, and it takes 900,000 seeds to make 1 pound (500 g). Holland is a major exporter.
