The Surprising Tale of Hamantaschen and Poppy Seeds

As Purim approaches, hamantaschen are popping up everywhere, ready to be packed into mishloach manot and complement your festive meal. But hamantaschen? Where did this unique name for the delicious pastry come from? Originally, hamantaschen were a popular German pastry called "Mohn Tasche," or in the Yiddish dialect "Humentash," which simply means "poppy pocket." Jews in Germany and Italy adopted this pastry, whose name echoed the villain Haman, and through a series of linguistic twists influenced by rabbinic tales, notably one describing Haman's ears being clipped as he approached the king in disgrace, the pastries became known as hamantaschen. Now, what's inside those "ears"? The poppy seed, a plant with around 120 species, nine of which are found in Israel. Its flowers typically display red hues but can also be purple, pink, or white. Inside the poppy fruit are numerous dry seeds. These seeds are not only used to produce various sedatives but also serve as a popular spice and food ingredient, particularly in baking. Indeed, hamantaschen are the most common poppy seed-filled treat in Israel, though poppy seed cakes and challahs sprinkled with poppy seeds instead of the usual sesame are also popular. In the Balkans, poppy seeds are used to create sweets akin to the familiar sesame candies, while in Indian and Pakistani cuisine, they're often used to thicken and enrich various dishes. So, how do you like your hamantaschen?