Historical Macedonian Papaver Somniferum: The Poppy Seed as Part of Local Macedonian Cuisine

November will be recognized as a month dedicated to twenty new local heroes who are committed to creating unique local foods that you've never tasted before.

One such hero is Robert, who is producing and selling products in Macedonia, including butter, oil, protein powder, and soaps—all made from opium poppy. 

As previously mentioned, our team will focus the month of November on celebrating these twenty local heroes. Each story will begin with the words: "Macedonia has a lot of food, but not all of it is famous and well-known to the public." 

Robert's work exemplifies this, as he transforms unique poppy seeds into products that everyone can use. This is something we should take pride in as Macedonians, and we should give him our full support.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that he spent his childhood running through poppy fields, growing and learning along the way. Watching and learning from his grandparents and later from his parents, Robert recalls the process of transforming those seeds into usable products. The traditional methods, such as crushing the seeds with a small tool he calls a “Dibek,” have inspired him to create a new culinary narrative today.

He developed his passion for poppy seeds in the seventies when he had the opportunity to learn the craft. Today, that passion has evolved into a brand that utilizes modern technology for processing poppy seeds. He works alongside his son, to whom he has successfully passed down this craft.

For the second consecutive year, Robert has been educating his customers who purchase products about the health benefits of poppy seed oil, butter, protein, and soap.

Robert recommends starting your day with a teaspoon of pure, natural poppy seed butter that contains no additives. He invites anyone who is interested to observe the butter production process, where they can see the healthy ingredients used and appreciate the purity of the natural foods that make up the products.

Robert's workshop is located in Radisani, a neighbourhood of Skopje. He is a passionate lover and collector of various historical objects, which enhance the iconic appearance of his shop. Currently, products are sold through delivery, and in the future, they will also be available at the kajak.mk grocery store.