Not only is hemp an environmentally-friendly agricultural crop that can remove pollution from the soil and serve as a biodegradable and sustainable replacement for papers, plastics, and textiles — it is also a superfood.
The incredibly nutritious hemp plant has been cultivated by humans for thousands of years, and there are thousands of known uses for this relatively small and resilient plant.
While we are in awe of all of the ways hemp can be used, one of our favorite ways to use it is in food! Here’s a little background on hemp, followed by our favorite hemp milk recipe.
While the flowers and leaves of the matured hemp plant contain cannabinoids like CBD and up to the federally legal, non-psychoactive amount of THC (0.3% content of the hemp plant’s dry weight) the seed itself contains little to no cannabinoids.
Instead, the hemp seed contains a wealth of vital nutrients, including soluble and insoluble fiber, minerals like iron and magnesium, vitamins like vitamin C and B vitamins, and an ideal 3:1 ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
Hemp seeds are also one of few non-animal-based complete proteins, meaning they hold all 20 amino acids that we humans need to build protein within the body. One of the main amino acids found in the hemp seed is arginine.
The healthy fatty acids, proteins, fiber, and antioxidants in the hemp seed work together to provide a number of benefits.
Some of these benefits include:
Consuming hemp seed is considered extremely safe in moderation. The recommended daily intake of hemp seed extract or hemp seed oil is about three tablespoons per day. We recommend making the most of those three tablespoons by incorporating it into a favorite snack or treat!
Hemp seeds have a naturally nutty and earthy taste that many enjoy.
Hemp seed (including the shell and the inner hemp heart) can be enjoyed raw, or mixed into salads, bowls, and smoothies. You can also drizzle cold-pressed hemp seed oil on your favorite salads or pastas.
A word of caution: Much of the nutrients within the hemp seed are degraded or destroyed when exposed to heat. This unfortunately means that using hemp seed oil as a cooking oil or sprinkling the seeds into batter before baking is not a good way to reap the health benefits these mighty seeds have to offer.
Don’t let this deter you from experimenting with hemp seeds, though! There are plenty of ways to play around with hemp seeds in the kitchen and incorporate them into no-bake recipes (or use them to top off already baked or cooked dishes!).
One of our go-to’s? This delicious, two-step hemp milk recipe!
This super-easy hemp milk only takes five minutes to make, and is the perfect way to incorporate a whole lotta nutrients into your morning, even on the days that you are on the go.
Creamy and nutty, you can use this milk to add a little something-something to your bowl of cereal or granola, mix it into a smoothie, add a splash of it to your coffee, or enjoy it all on its own!
To make four cups of this delightful drink, here’s what you’ll need:
Want to spruce up your morning even more?
And there you have it! We weren’t joking when we said it was super easy.
This yummy nutrient-packed treat will keep in the fridge for up to five days–just be sure to store it in a sealed air-tight container.
At evo hemp, we believe in utilizing every part of the hemp plant to benefit our health and to benefit the planet.
Hemp seeds are a wonderful source of nutrients that can support your overall well-being, although they are often overlooked. Finding and creating unique ways to add hemp seeds to your food can be a fun way to learn more about hemp and experience its many benefits.
Not quite sure that making your own hemp concoctions is for you, but still want to experience its many benefits? You can find hemp granola bars, chocolates, and more at the evo hemp Shop!
Sources:
The importance of the ratio of omega-6/omega-3 essential fatty acids | Biomed Pharmacother
