Hemp Seeds

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So, what comes to mind when you hear about hemp? Probably hippies, marijuana, dreadlocks and vegans. Am I right?

Well, hemp is a nutritional powerhouse and you don’t have to be a hippie to enjoy it. I recently received a free sample of hulled hemp seeds from Hemp Seed Oil EU, which is the European distributor for Hemp Oil Canada Inc (the largest hemp product producer).

 

 

I had already researched hemp in the past, and have previously bought hemp powder just to play around with it since I am always looking at different replacements for grain flours. I use the hemp powder regularly when I make smoothies to add a little protein. I was excited to try out another form of hemp and see what I could do with it.

This is what I learned about the benefits of hemp seed during my reasearch:

* Contins all 20 amino acids, including the 9 essential amino acids (EAAs) our bodies cannot produce.
* Contains a high protein percentage of the simple proteins that strengthen immunity and fend off toxins.
* Nature’s highest botanical source of essential fatty acid, with more essential fatty acid than flax or any other nut or seed oil.
* A perfect 3:1 ratio of Omega-6 Linoleic Acid and Omega-3 Linolenic Acid – for cardiovascular health and general strengthening of the immune system.
* A superior vegetarian source of protein considered easily digestible.
* A rich source of phytonutrients, the disease-protective element of plants with benefits protecting your immunity, bloodstream, tissues, cells, skin, organs and mitochondria.
* The richest known source of polyunsaturated essential fatty acids.

Great. But what does it taste like and what do you do with it?

I think the little hulled hemp seeds taste a lot like raw sunflower seeds. Nutty and fresh. You could sprinkle them over or add them to just about anything, savory or sweet. I will definitely add them in the next time I make Paleo Granola or Paleo Chocolate Chunk Lara Bars. Here’s a look at what I made this week with the hemp seeds I received:

Paleo Dark Chocolate Autumn Bark

Baked Cod with Olive Tapenade, Tomato and Hemp Seeds

But what you REALLY want to know is if you use it in brownies will they be “magical” like pot brownies? See? I can read your mind 😉 I think you should totally add these to brownies, but they won’t make you see unicorns. Hemp and marijuana both come from the species Cannabis sativa, but, just like Canis lupus has subspecies that range from wolves to poodles, Cannabis sativa includes a large assortment of plants with different characteristics.

 

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