Poppy seeds are tiny, slate-blue seeds harvested from the opium poppy plant, and they’re commonly used in both sweet and savory dishes. In baking, they add texture and a subtle nuttiness to breads, muffins, cakes, and pastries—think classic lemon-poppy seed loaf or bagels sprinkled with seeds for extra flavor. In savory cooking, they can be used to enrich sauces, curries, and salad dressings, or as a garnish for vegetables and noodles.