# Help me identify these mystery seeds **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 31, 2013, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-these-mystery-seeds/672730 "2013-10-31T07:36:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![brujaja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2013, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-these-mystery-seeds/672730/1 "2013-10-31T07:36:55Z")
I bought them at a Middle Eastern grocery, because the packaging is kinda crinkled, and I thought they were nigiri (“Love-In-A-Mist”) seeds. Unfortunately, my camera demands brand new (not rechargeable) batteries every time, so I can’t post a picture. They are about one sixteenth of an inch long; they are a dusty black color with sort of a whitish bloom that is similar to poppy seeds, except that they are not at all bluish. The seeds are narrow and straight, and I believe they are three-sided on the long plane. They look a lot like carrot seeds, but they are the wrong color. When you eat them, they quickly swell up and feel just like tapioca beads in your mouth. The label did not say what they were. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2013, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-these-mystery-seeds/672730/2 "2013-10-31T11:03:37Z")
Basil seeds swell up like that. But I don’t associate it with Middle Eastern cooking, so I don’t know if I’m on the right track or not. The are used in Asian drinks for their texture. Look a bit like frog eggs to me when put in water and allowed to swell. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2013, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-these-mystery-seeds/672730/3 "2013-10-31T11:52:55Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Basil seeds swell up like that. But I don’t associate it with Middle Eastern cooking, so I don’t know if I’m on the right track or not. The are used in Asian drinks for their texture. Look a bit like frog eggs to me when put in water and allowed to swell. Cool. I wonder if I can collect basil seeds from our plants that have flowered (gone to seed)… ---
**Author:** ![madrabbitwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@madrabbitwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madrabbitwoman)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2013, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-these-mystery-seeds/672730/4 "2013-10-31T12:19:35Z")
I’m pretty sure one book is Uncanny!: Even More Surprising Stories. > **[Uncanny!: Even More Surprising Stories: Jennings, Paul: 9780140375763:...](https://www.amazon.com/Uncanny-Even-More-Surprising-Stories/dp/0140375767)** > > Uncanny!: Even More Surprising Stories \[Jennings, Paul\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. Uncanny!: Even More Surprising Stories ---
**Author:** ![brujaja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2013, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-these-mystery-seeds/672730/5 "2013-10-31T12:22:09Z")
Well, that’s interesting … I’ve planted basil seeds before, I’m pretty sure they’re kinda more rounded. These are quite elongated, for being so tiny. Also there is not the faintest taste of basil. If it helps at all, I believe this particular market is Iranian/Persian. -And no, they’re not espand seeds. Espand seeds taste NASTY. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![madrabbitwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@madrabbitwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madrabbitwoman)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2013, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-these-mystery-seeds/672730/6 "2013-10-31T12:22:55Z")
Might be worth looking through some of his other books for the other > **[Paul Jennings (Australian author)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Jennings_(Australian_author))** > > Paul Jennings AM (born 30 April 1943), is an English-born Australian writer for children, young adults and adults. He is best known for his short stories that lead the reader through an unusual series of events and end with a twist. Many of his stories were adapted for the cult classic children's television series Round the Twist. Jennings collaborated with Morris Gleitzman on the book series Wicked!, which was adapted into an animated TV series in 2000, and Deadly!. > Paul Jennings was born on... ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2013, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-these-mystery-seeds/672730/7 "2013-10-31T13:45:47Z")
> [@Heehaw Jones](#): > > Cool. I wonder if I can collect basil seeds from our plants that have flowered (gone to seed)… [Harvesting basil seeds.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ6i0BKtK1o) Can’t believe I’ve never done this. ---
**Author:** ![Elemenopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b5e925/32.png) [@Elemenopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elemenopy)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2013, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-these-mystery-seeds/672730/8 "2013-10-31T15:00:30Z")
I’ll bet it’s [chia seeds](https://www.google.com/search?q=chia+seeds+drink&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=KZa&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=bm9yUqKrNIOBygGs1ICoBw&ved=0CD4QsAQ&biw=1184&bih=569). We got those once from the int’l food market. You add them to juice/water, they swell up and feel kind of like tomato seeds. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2013, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-these-mystery-seeds/672730/9 "2013-10-31T16:00:23Z")
> [@Elemenopy](#): > > I’ll bet it’s [chia seeds](https://www.google.com/search?q=chia+seeds+drink&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=KZa&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=bm9yUqKrNIOBygGs1ICoBw&ved=0CD4QsAQ&biw=1184&bih=569). We got those once from the int’l food market. You add them to juice/water, they swell up and feel kind of like tomato seeds. Actually, that’s a decent possibility, too. They are similar in appearance to basil seeds and have some similar properties (like the swelling when added to water). I don’t know what basil seeds would be doing in an Iranian/Persian market–I’ve only seen them in Southeast Asian (notably Thai) and Indian markets myself, which is why I’m just throwing it out there as one possible guess, but not at all a confident one. That said, there is some decent crossover in spices and seeds used in that part of the world. They also go by the name “tukmaria” and “sabja” (although they might be from different kinds of basil. Do a Google image search on these terms and see if any look right to you.) It could also very well be some obscure seed I’ve never heard of before. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2013, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-these-mystery-seeds/672730/10 "2013-10-31T16:05:39Z")
Although I found [this site](http://turmericsaffron.blogspot.com/2012/07/sharbat-e-tokhme-sharbati-chia-seeds.html) mention a traditional Iranian chia seed drink, so I’m going to agree with **Elemenopy** ’s guess of chia seeds. Basil seeds are used [much in the same way.](http://www.khiewchanta.com/mobile/drinks/thai-basil-seed-drink-nam-mang.html) [Here’s a package](http://www.efooddepot.com/products/sadaf/9753/sadaf_tokhme_sharbati_(chia_seeds) __hypen__ 4oz.html) of tokhme sharbati/chia seeds from an Iranian/Persian market. They’ve become quite popular these days in health food circles. Even Costco sells them these days. ---
**Author:** ![madrabbitwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@madrabbitwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madrabbitwoman)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2013, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-these-mystery-seeds/672730/11 "2013-10-31T20:15:25Z")
Ok managed to post into wrong thread… twice. Sorry :smack: :smack: ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2013, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-these-mystery-seeds/672730/12 "2013-10-31T20:48:22Z")
Could be rue: [Peganum harmala - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peganum_harmala) I don’t know if they swell up though. . . Nigella would also make sense, as it would be next to the Nigiri [What are Nigella Seeds? (with pictures)](http://www.wisegeek.org/what-are-nigella-seeds.htm) ---
**Author:** ![brujaja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2013, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-these-mystery-seeds/672730/13 "2013-10-31T20:55:41Z")
Definitely not chia seeds, although they do the same thing chia seeds do, with the white-nebula thing in water. These seeds are like tiny grains of three-sided rice. Dusky black three-sided rice. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2013, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-these-mystery-seeds/672730/14 "2013-10-31T21:08:05Z")
> [@ruckusuccubus](#): > > Definitely not chia seeds, although they do the same thing chia seeds do, with the white-nebula thing in water. > > These seeds are like tiny grains of three-sided rice. Dusky black three-sided rice. Huh. Really? The mystery continues… Can you go back to the store and ask? Curious minds want to know. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2013, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-these-mystery-seeds/672730/15 "2013-10-31T21:11:13Z")
> [@TruCailleach](#): > > Could be rue: [Peganum harmala - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peganum_harmala) > > I don’t know if they swell up though. . . > > Nigella would also make sense, as it would be next to the Nigiri [What are Nigella Seeds? (with pictures)](http://www.wisegeek.org/what-are-nigella-seeds.htm) Ok, this is the second mention of them. What are nigiri seeds? I’ve heard of niger seeds, and I’ve heard of nigiri (as in the sushi), but not nigiri seeds, and Google is failing me. I’m assuming niger seeds is what is meant, right? ---
**Author:** ![madrabbitwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@madrabbitwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madrabbitwoman)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2013, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-these-mystery-seeds/672730/16 "2013-10-31T23:40:31Z")
Black Fonio maybe? [http://www.myhero.com/go/hero.asp?hero=Sanoussi\_Diakite\_Tech08](http://www.myhero.com/go/hero.asp?hero=Sanoussi_Diakite_Tech08) ---
**Author:** ![madrabbitwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@madrabbitwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madrabbitwoman)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2013, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-these-mystery-seeds/672730/17 "2013-10-31T23:53:57Z")
Look do you have a scanner? You can take a pic if you chuck em on and put a sheet of white paper on top. ---
**Author:** ![madrabbitwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@madrabbitwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madrabbitwoman)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2013, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-these-mystery-seeds/672730/18 "2013-11-01T00:03:22Z")
Then there is also this [https://www.seedtest.org/upload/cms/user/5IdentificationofseedstoGenusorSpecieslevel\_NorbertKompatibilittsmodus.pdf](https://www.seedtest.org/upload/cms/user/5IdentificationofseedstoGenusorSpecieslevel_NorbertKompatibilittsmodus.pdf) ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2013, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-these-mystery-seeds/672730/19 "2013-11-01T11:58:17Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Ok, this is the second mention of them. What are nigiri seeds? I’ve heard of niger seeds, and I’ve heard of nigiri (as in the sushi), but not nigiri seeds, and Google is failing me. I’m assuming niger seeds is what is meant, right? Maybe plant them and grow some sushi! ---
**Author:** ![brujaja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2013, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-these-mystery-seeds/672730/20 "2013-11-01T13:45:42Z")
Okay, my bad. I meant “nigella” seeds. That’s what comes from having too many exotic cuisines’ specifics and particulars all stuffed tight into your head like an over-full harddrive. To be fair, I did mention “Love-In-A-Mist” seeds at the outset. So, they are what I thought they were. Huh. They must be hella old, because they just don’t have that welcome peppery taste I like so much in Middle-Eastern cookies. (Mmmmmmm … cookies …) I’ll let you know if I wind up with any inadvertent vat-grown sashimi. 😉 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-these-mystery-seeds/672730.md?page=2)