Lemon poppy seed bread is moist, tangy, and delicious. It is a hybrid between a loaf cake and a muffin. If you haven’t tried lemon poppy seed bread before, you are definitely going to enjoy every morsel of it.

The lemon zest and juice cut through the sweetness of the bread and provide the perfect burst of brightness. In contrast, the poppy seeds add a bit of texture to the fluffy texture of the bread. However, before we get to the lemon poppy seed recipe, let’s discuss the health benefits of the key ingredients.  

Health Benefits Of Lemon 

When it comes to health benefits, lemons contain several beneficial nutrients. In particular, lemons are grown for their alkaloids. Alkaloids possess anticancer and antibacterial qualities.

Citrus fruits such as lemon also possess flavonoids. Flavonoids contain several biological activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, antidiabetic, anticancer, and antiviral potentials. In addition to this, flavonoids may serve as antioxidants and free radical scavengers, which can regulate enzymatic activities and impede cell proliferation.

Citral, a common fragrant component of lemon oil, has been shown to impede pathogens like Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus.

Health Benefits Of Poppy Seeds 

Like lemons, poppy seeds are also famous for their health benefits. Poppy seeds contain a diverse range of nutrients, including proteins, dietary fiber, antioxidants, tocopherols, as well as other important micronutrients.

Poppy seeds also contain rich amounts of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenolic composites. Poppy seeds are also a topic of interest because of thier in vitro bioactive effects on several medical conditions such as cancer and hypertension. Furthermore, besides being used for cooking purposes, poppy seeds are primarily cultivated for thier concentrations of opium and oil. 

In particular, poppy seed oil is a rich source of polyunsaturated fats. Polyunsaturated fats have been associated with reduced cardiovascular disease risk. T

here are 2 kinds of polyunsaturated fats omega-6 fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids help relieve inflammation, modify the role of vascular and carcinogen biomarkers, as well as decrease the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Furthermore, omega fatty 3 acids provide protection against chronic and metabolic conditions such as bone fractures, obesity, osteoporosis, neurological degeneration, and diabetes. 

How To Store Lemon Poppy Seed Bread

This lemon poppy seed bread can be stored at room temperature, in the fridge or freezer. While you can store the lemon poppy seed bread at room temperature, I recommend storing it in the fridge or freezer.

I wrapped the lemon poppy seed bread tightly with plastic wrap and stored it at room temperature for 3 days. However, on the fourth day, mold started to form on the surface of the bread. 

To store your lemon poppy seed bread in the fridge, allow it to cool completely, then wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. Alternatively, you can also place your lemon poppy seed bread into a resealable ziplock bag and store it in the fridge.

This lemon poppy seed bread has a lifespan of 7 days when stored in the refrigerator. To store the lemon poppy seed bread in the freezer, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap, then place it into a freezer-safe resealable zip lock bag and store it in the freezer for 1-2 months.

How To Reheat Lemon Poppy Seed Bread

To reheat the lemon poppy seed bread, remove it from the fridge to room temperature. If you froze your lemon poppy seed bread, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.

Wrap the lemon poppy seed bread with a damp paper towel, then place it onto a microwave-safe dish. Heat the lemon poppy seed bread in 30-second intervals until it is warm.