Hemp seeds

Hemp seeds, a source of protein and well-being

They have been known for centuries as precious oil seeds for a complete diet, rich in plant-based proteins and properties useful for our body. In the gastronomic tradition, hemp seeds are very common in Russia and the East, appreciated in Nepal, India and Chinese cuisine, both for their taste and for their beneficial properties. In terms of flavor, they give the palate a delicate and sweetish pleasure, reminiscent of hazelnuts and walnuts. Excellent as an addition to many sweet and savory recipes, also consumed as a snack for their nutritional value.

This version of hulled hemp seeds, i.e. without the peel, was created to make them more pleasant, easy to eat and digest - the shell is very hard. However, peeling keeps the nutritional properties of the seeds unchanged. They are a beneficial natural food, selected from special authorized seeds of Cannabis Sativa food.

What are the benefits of hemp seeds?

Renowned for their nutritional value, these small brown seeds are above all an excellent source of proteins and essential fatty acids, proteins, fibers and various minerals. Hemp seeds contain approximately 25% high-quality proteins and essential amino acids, and for this reason their protein composition is precious, one of the richest plant sources of proteins and polyunsaturated fatty acids. In addition, they have excellent quantities of vitamins (A, E, B1, B2, C, PP) and minerals (iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, sulfur and zinc). In particular, vitamin E has an important antioxidant action, which combines with that of other compounds. From the point of view of “good” vegetable fats, hemp seeds contain over 30% of the essential fatty acids omega 3 (alpha-linolenic acid) and omega 6 (linoleic acid), gamma-linolenic acid (GLA); plus lecithin.
They make their antioxidant effects available, which help well-being and can reduce the symptoms of some disorders. They can provide benefits for the body, including support for digestion and cardiovascular health. They offer excellent compounds for the heart, such as arginine and gamma-linolenic acid present in hemp seeds that promote the dilation of blood vessels. In terms of premenstrual syndrome and menopause, hemp seeds have useful substances that can reduce some disorders associated with these conditions such as irritability, fluid retention and mild hormonal imbalances. Furthermore, as a complete food, the content of hemp seeds is important for maintaining the integrity and functionality of cell membranes; in addition to being useful for skin health.

As for joint function, hemp seeds are also used to naturally relieve disorders related to joint and muscle pain. Sometimes the effects of the seeds of the Cannabis sativa plant are confused with those derived from leaves and flowering tops (marijuana), which instead contain THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive compound of cannabis. Hulled Cannabis sativa seeds, on the other hand, do not contain traces of this substance and therefore do not produce mind-altering effects.

Contraindications: who cannot eat hemp seeds?

This food does not contain any particular contraindications, although it should be consumed in moderation since, like many seeds, it contains high levels of fat and increases the caloric intake. High consumption of seeds can give rise to digestive problems such as stomach ache, abdominal cramps, diarrhea or constipation. It is therefore good to use them in moderation in the presence of colon and digestive system disorders. Furthermore, a high intake of hemp seeds is not recommended for those taking coagulant drugs (they can inhibit platelets). How many hemp seeds can you eat per day? A maximum daily intake of 2 tablespoons of hemp seeds per day is recommended.

Where can you buy hemp seeds for food use?

For several years these seeds have been increasingly in demand, and are found above all in shops specializing in the sale of spices and natural food products. In our e-shop Natura d'Oriente you will find excellent quality hemp seeds, and you can buy them hulled - that is, without the peel. Hemp seeds online are sold in loose form, with a variable weight between 75 g, 150 g, 250 g, 500 g and 1 kg. Our sales and delivery services reserve you a great price for seeds and other loose spices.

How to use hulled hemp seeds in cooking?

In cooking, their flavor is very pleasant and delicate, with pleasant hints of hazelnut and pine nut. Since they are easily digestible, hulled hemp seeds are used in various dishes. PosThey can be eaten raw, cooked or toasted, preferably in addition to creamy and soft foods. If you choose to toast them, it must be very quick because, like many seeds, hemp seeds must not be heated too much - they would lose several properties. It is advisable to add them at the final stage of cooking or as a garnish. They can be used whole, broken or ground - using a mortar and pestle or a food processor. They are usually left raw to maintain all their nutritional value. This is why hemp seeds can be added to recipes or eaten alone, as a snack. Difference between hulled and unhulled hemp seeds The outer skin can be removed from the seeds, making them hulled. On the contrary, unhulled seeds are the seeds in which the skin is still present. The shelled version is easier to eat and digest, since hulled hemp seeds are softer and do not have fibers that are difficult to assimilate. The shelled version is convenient because it is already ready, without having to remove the outer skin.

recipes for using hemp seeds in cooking

Savory recipes: these seeds are often distributed on salad, whole or ground, and to enrich soups as a garnish and spice. They are excellent seeds to incorporate into the dough of baked products such as bread, crackers, etc. with a perfect taste for preparing biscuits, desserts, cakes and creams. They are also added to the breading of meat and fish, and to fresh ricotta with other seeds. The flour obtained from hemp seeds can be used to make homemade pasta instead of traditional soft wheat pasta, with a particular hazelnut aftertaste balanced by salt.
Sweet recipes: with their sweetish taste the seeds are exquisite for flavoring yogurt, milk, cereals, muesli; excellent for sprinkling on fruit salads, ice cream, smoothies and centrifuges.
Sauces: They are often used to enrich sauces, pestos, hummus, dressings and vegetable creams, especially in the peeled version. They pair well with other oil seeds and nuts, and can be substituted for them in recipes.

The Recipe: Zucchini Spaghetti with Vegan Hemp Seed Sauce

Ingredients for the sauce:

½ cup hulled hemp seeds - ½ cup unsweetened almond milk - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice - 2 garlic cloves, crushed and peeled - ½ teaspoon sea salt - 1 pinch ground black pepper

Ingredients for the zucchini spaghetti:

4 medium zucchini - 2 cups baby spinach, thinly sliced ​​- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and julienned - juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons) - handful fresh basil leaves - sea salt to taste – ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Start by making the sauce by adding all the ingredients (hemp seeds, almond milk, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper) to a blender. Blend on high for 2 minutes or until smooth and creamy. Set aside. Use a vegetable peeler or mandolin to slice the zucchini lengthwise into spaghetti noodles or into long spirals (using a spiral cutter). Add the zucchini, bell pepper and spinach to a large salad bowl. Pour the lemon juice over the vegetables and toss. Season with salt and pepper and let marinate for 10 minutes.

Add the basil and pour the hemp seed sauce to taste over the zucchini spaghetti. Toss to combine. Taste and season with another sprinkle of sea salt and black pepper, to taste.

What plant do hemp seeds come from?

They come from the hemp plant, a variety of Cannabis sativa of the Cannabaceae family. It is the only species of the Cannabis genus accepted at a legal level for cultivation and food consumption – through the selection of seeds certified and registered in the European Seed Register. These are seeds that will give life to plants with a THC lower than 0.2%. The one we use in the West, the sativa variety, has milder active ingredients than the oriental Cannabis Indica, which only entered Europe after Napoleon, according to tradition. It is grown for textile, medical, cosmetic use, to produce paper and to extract the seeds. These are small and light brown in color, which become white in the hulled hemp seed version. Despite being part of the plant, hemp seeds do not have any psychotropic effects while having an excellent nutritional value.

Origin and history of hemp seeds

Cannabis sativa has been used for thousands of years as a medicine and food, throughout the East. At a food level, the seeds spread to oriental cuisines such as those of India and Nepal. In Russia, the seeds were used formake porridge during times of famine. The extracts and germination of these seeds were also useful for creating foods such as soy, also producing a milk with a hazelnut-like flavor. They were also used to create hemp seed oil, used as a spiced and medicinal food with anti-inflammatory properties. This oil was already widespread in China around 2,800 years BC and was also used as a cosmetic product. An oriental legend tells that Buddha, on his path to enlightenment, survived by eating one hemp seed a day - it was enough since it contained all the useful nutrients. Indian texts also claimed that the hemp plant was the favorite food of Shiva, the supreme deity. It is thought that hemp arrived in the Americas after the arrival of Columbus, but it was already known (residues of Cannabis are found in some older mummies). However, this plant and its seeds saw some “dark” years in the mid-twentieth century, when cultivation was prohibited due to the psychoactive components of the leaves, tops and resins. These substances, in reality, only activate at high temperatures and, not surprisingly, native populations have always eaten the leaves without obtaining any adverse effects. Hemp seeds, although not containing psychotropic compounds, disappeared from the diet for several years, while today they are back in the spotlight among health foods.