Bird seed is often used as bird food.
The notion of canary seed comes from alpíšṭ , a word from Hispanic and Mozarabic Arabic that in turn comes from the Latin pistum (passive participle of pinsĕre , which can be translated as “mash” ). The plant with the scientific name Phalaris canariensis and the seed of said species are called canary seed.
Canary seed is part of the grass family group. It is a cereal whose grains are mainly used for feeding birds , although they also have other uses.
Canary seed characteristics
Canary seed is an annual herbaceous plant that can reach a height of up to one meter and is usually used as forage . It develops a panicle (a set of spikes) that has spikelets with small seeds and three flowers.
What is known as grain or canary seed is, technically, a fruit . It is covered by two shells, which is why it is classified as a dressed grain .
Canary seed crops take place in regions with a temperate climate. This vegetable is native to the Mediterranean , although currently the main producer worldwide is Canada , followed by countries such as Australia , Mexico , Thailand and Argentina .
It is interesting to mention that the canary seed cultivation cycle is similar to that of cereals such as oats and wheat . The productive practices, in this way, are similar.
Although it is usually used to feed birds, birdseed can also be consumed by humans.
Properties and uses of grains in gastronomy
Canary seed grains contain oxalic acid , salicylic acid and starch , among other components. Antioxidant, diuretic and lipid-lowering properties are attributed to it, thus helping to reduce cholesterol levels, eliminate fat and slow down skin aging, for example.
Consumption by humans is not widespread. It can be used to prepare the drink known as canary seed milk , which is obtained by soaking the seeds for eight or more hours and then processing them with a certain amount of water.
With canary seed, an atole or atol is also produced. This type of drink requires boiling the grains in water and flavoring them with sugar , honey or aromatic spices.
Another possibility is to consume the seeds raw in soups and salads . Additionally, canary seed seeds can be included in cookies.
Bird seed
The most frequent use of birdseed is as food for domestic or ornamental birds . Many birds feed on birdseed, especially in combination with other seeds.
Take the case of the canaries . There are people who keep these animals as pets , locking them in cages, a practice that is usually condemned by animal activists. Beyond this issue, one of the best foods that can be offered to canaries for their nutritional properties are canary seed.
The term in colloquial expressions
The word birdseed appears in several phrases of colloquial language . These expressions depend on the region.
Leaving a person without birdseed, by taking it away, implies depriving them of their means of subsistence or their sustenance. Being left with birdseed, meanwhile, means ending up empty-handed.
In Argentina , someone is called “bird seed, you lost” when they made a mistake and cannot correct it. Suppose a man loses his phone where he stored hundreds of family photos. Since you have not backed up to another device or virtual environment, you may never be able to recover the material; That is why, upon learning of the situation, a friend comments: “Canary seed, you lost.”