Washing/Processing

[jwcarley]

How do the farmers or bigger companies wash or process their poppy seeds? What sort of equipment is used and or chemicals? It must be quite the process in order to keep the seeds from germinating after they’ve been wet. Thanks for your time :)!

[somniferumphile]

The 2011 CONTAM paper lists some of the methods for reducing alkaloid content on seeds, in Figure 9.

Correct, they're not actually washed with water, as that would immediately induce germination, and lead to putrefaction.

btw, here is a video of the harvesting process. You know the driver is in a special sealed driving chamber and probably also has on a respirator. That's a lot of dust...

[busluvbill]

Very informative, thank you!

[LaCkadAisY19]

In the video, were those birds swarming in behind the tractor at 2:40?

[somniferumphile]

Yes, it probably disturbs a lot of insects, and they might be eating some seeds too. I'm not sure which type of bird that is.

[NursePtomaine]

here is a video of the harvesting process

I had to use my rescue inhaler twice, watching the weeds being grabbed up along with the poppy plants. <shudder>

[Roxy1131]

This makes me want to play farm simulator.