POPPY SEED AND APPLE CAKE WITH BUCKWHEAT CRUST

German bakers say their craft represents the country's cultural heritage and after living away from home for almost two decades I totally have to agree.

A Bäckerei belongs to every village like the church and – of course –

the pub. All other institutions are not  really crucially important.

A traditional German cake found in almost every bakery is Mohnkuchen (poppy seed cake). It comes in great variations with quark and pastry or in cookie form. We also use these tiny seeds to garnish breads and rolls, grind them into sauces or pastry fillings and add them to vegetables or sprinkle on top of salads.

It took me seven years to find poppy seeds in a specialty super market in Australia and I went home straight away to make a crumble crust filled with apple and a delicious vanilla and poppy seed paste.

Health Benefits

Poppy seeds contain several vital minerals like zinc, calcium, magnesium, which aid in the smooth functioning of all organs of the body.

They are an excellent source of energy as well since they contain carbohydrates. Their calorie content is lower as compared to other herbs and spices and this makes them a popular additive to foods. Rich in oleic acid they contain about 45-50% of unsaturated fatty acids.