POPPYSEED TEA RECIPES

Steps:

• To start off with the recipe, first, pour the poppy seeds into a bottle through a funnel to avoid spillage.
• Add 2-3 cups of warm water to the bottle. Ensure that it is not boiled.
• Close the bottle and shake gently for 2-3 minutes. This will “wash” off the active compounds, effectively infusing the tea. The water should range from a mild yellow to a dark brown, depending on the type of seeds.
• Let the tea steep for 15 mins. You may also keep it longer depending on how strong you want the flavor to be.
• Strain the tea into a pot using a strainer.
• Add lemon juice to the pot and serve hot.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 9-by-5-inch (8-cup capacity) loaf pan; set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and poppy seeds; set aside.
• In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and 2/3 cup sugar on high until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition; mix in vanilla and lemon zest. With mixer on low, alternately add flour mixture in two parts and milk in one, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
• Pour batter into prepared pan; smooth top. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean, 50 to 55 minutes. In a medium saucepan, bring lemon juice and remaining 1/3 cup sugar to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar; set syrup aside.
• Remove cake from oven. While cake is still in pan, poke several holes in top with a toothpick. Set aside 2 tablespoons syrup; pour remainder over cake. Cool cake completely in pan, about 2 hours. Turn cake out of pan; place, right side up, on a platter, and brush all over with reserved syrup. Store, covered, at room temperature for up to 3 days.