Organic Poppy Seed
While researching the history, origins and uses of the nutmeg, common enough in Western cuisine, I asked my husband what it was called in Urdu. He didn’t know, which was curious, as he’s a very good cook and has spent 15 years in Europe. So began more research. We found photos of the poor nutmeg but he still didn’t recognize it, although, he knew all about mace, the thin membrane which is wrapped around the nutmeg, separating it from the fruit of which nutmeg is a seed. Mace is used in up-market garam masala and small pieces are added to biryanis, on special occasions, in Pakistani and Indian cookery. A blade of mace currently costs a little more than 50 Pakistani rupees, and to put that into perspective for you, a 20 minute call to the UK from Pakistan costs a little less than that, from a mobile to a landline. Or you can buy a kilo of any vegetable in season; or, for most of the year, 2 kilos onions or tomatoes for 50 rupees. In the Punjab you can go to the tandoor and buy 25 rotis (chapattis) for the same money. The poor cannot afford it, so you would be forgiven for thinking that nutmeg would be used as a substitute.
There was no nutmeg in the local spice shop either. No one uses it in their cooking around this part of the Punjab, it seems. Finally we discovered that nutmeg is banned from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where it is illegal to possess it because of its narcotic effects, if consumed in large quantities. More research online showed that some people in the Islamic world are concerned that it is haram (forbidden or unclean) to eat nutmeg. In the end we found that it is generally considered to be halal (allowed or clean), as long as it is only used for culinary purposes. That made sense.
Having thought about this issue, there was the possible problem with edible
poppy seeds, but it seems that as they are not from the opium poppy plant, they are fine, halal without a doubt, so your poppy seed bagel or bread roll is not an issue.
Once again I am learning more about Pakistani food and culture, as well as about Islam. What I am discovering is that there are a lot of sensible Islamic leaders out there. The little nutmeg is only haram because of the wrong uses people put it to, but I am glad to know that it’s fine to use in cooking, as it’s wonderful for flavouring white sauces. It’s a pity the local spice seller doesn’t have any!
http://www.herbs-treatandtaste.blogspot.com
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