The crops of the hemp plant
Hemp seeds are the corps of the hemp plant. They are also called hemp hearts or hemp nuts because of their slight nutty taste. Roasting them intensifies their aroma. Hemp seeds can easily be placed in the category of regional superfood. Due to the general cannabis ban and all the regulations around the plant, they are increasingly upstaged and their potential has been forgotten. They can either be used by themselves or combined with other products. As they only contain an unnoticeable amount of cannabinoids, they have no psychoactive effect. Moreover, in Germany, the legal requirements in regards to food are very strictly regulated.
Hemp seeds as food
Hemp seeds are very nutritional and have long been praised as a healthy source of fibers as well as essential and non-essential amino acids such as lysine, histidine or alanine. All of those we can only consume through our diet since our bodies don’t produce them naturally. Hemp seeds and products made of these contain essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and crucial minerals such as zinc, iron or magnesium. The seeds are also packed with a variety of vitamins such as vitamin A, B1, B2 and B6, vitamin C, D and E. The ration of omega-3 to omega-6 in hemp seed oil varies from 2:1 up to 3:1, which makes it ideal for a balanced diet.
Hemp seeds and all its related products are a perfect alternative for those who are lactose or gluten intolerant. Some people might also be allergic to the hemp hearts or the products made out of hemp seeds. Especially those allergic to nuts or grasses should be careful when consuming hemp seeds.
There are many DIY ideas for shelled or unshelled hemp seeds:
- roasted hemp seeds,
- nut and/or chocolate bars,
- topping for cereal, soups or salads,
- hemp seed spread (sweet or salty),
- plant-base alternative to dairy milk,
- hemp tofu,
- hemp mozzarella and other cheesy alternatives,
- baked goods made with hemp seeds or hemp protein: bread, cakes, etc.
- and many more.
Cooking and baking with hemp is becoming more and more popular, especially without this stereotyped high feeling. You can find many recipes on cooking or baking with hemp online or in one of the many popular cookbooks.
Hemp seed oil
Hemp seed oil is made of hemp seeds, which are first peeled and then pressed in an oil press. In most cases they are cold pressed (at approx. 40–60 °C). This method preserves most of the oil´s substances. This also means that many hemp seed oils on the market carry the quality feature “extra virgin”. The byproducts can be turned into other useful products, such as hemp seed protein powder or fodder.
Once pressed, the oil has a golden color and a slight nutty aroma, just as the seed itself. The oil contains a high amount of unsaturated fatty acids which makes it perfect for cold or steamed dishes. It is not suitable for frying and also too expensive for this purpose. It is a great and healthy addition to smoothies as it does not only increase the bioavailability of fat solving vitamins, but also contains an own balanced composition of nutrients and provides several other health benefits. Only 20 grams (1 tablespoon) of oil can help to cover the daily dose of essential fatty acids.
Hemp oil?
The term “hemp oil” can sometimes be confusing for normal users as it can mean different forms of the product. We want to help you understand the difference between the varying forms of hemp oil:
- Hemp seed oil is the pressed oil from peeled hemp seeds.
- Essential hemp oil is the “perfume” of the hemp plant. It is the distilled product from the plant.
- CBD hemp oil is extracted from the CBD flowers. All those other hemp oils use the conventional hemp oil as a carrier oil for dilution. Depending on the oil you want to produce, you can use any other plant-base oil instead.
- Cannabis oil is an oily solution with a specific amount of THC. All those products can be purchased and made upon request in many pharmacies.
Basic source for many products
Hemp seed oil is used in many products. It is especially popular in natural and organic cosmetics, e.g.in the whole range of Dr. Bronner´s products — from soaps to peelings, cremes and massage oils. Hemp oil is often used as an addition to other care products but can also be made into soap or creme. Hemp soaps are foaming nicely and because of their natural ingredients are very caring for the skin. Products made with hemp usually do not cause any allergic reactions and are therefore very skin-friendly. Even the basic product itself is a very gentle ingredient because there is almost no need for using pesticides when cultivating it. So actually, hemp oil is the perfect product for natural and organic cosmetic lovers. It is no surprise that those products are becoming increasingly popular and there are more and more cosmetic products with hemp.
But hemp seed oil is not only an important basic ingredient in cosmetics. It is a sustainable alternative in all conventional, mineral-oil-based lubricants. For example, it can be used in the production of biofuel as an alternative to rapeseed oil. Biofuel with hemp oil burns with low CO2 emissions and is not as polluting as other fuels because it is biodegradable. Hemp oil can also be turned in environmentally friendly soaps and cleaning agents.
Hemp protein powder
Another very popular product made of hemp seeds is hemp protein powder. You can already find it in most drugstores and supermarkets. It is made of pressed hemp seeds and is ideal for protein shakes or as a substitute for flour in the kitchen, e.g. for making hemp pasta or protein bread. This protein powder is perfect for athletes or those of us who finally want to lose those last few pounds. Because of its high amount of fiber, it is easily digestible and perfect for a balanced and muscle-building diet. Not only that but it also contains important minerals, vitamins, amino acids and micronutrients. Hemp seed protein powder has a very high amount of protein and is perfect for a vegan diet.
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