Poppy seed is often used in salads and various dough dishes, but pre-baked or soaked in hot water for more than three hours. In salads it is advisable to be baked before which makes the flavor more intense. When used in cakes, pies, Bulgarian “Banitsa” or “Kosunak” is good to be covered with boiling water and stand for 1 to 3 hours before use.
Poppy seed grind extremely difficult, the body can not digest it fully if it is not ground or at least broken.