Hemp plants produce small, brown seeds the size of popcorn kernels. Hemp seeds pack a lot of nutrients and are also an essential part of a healthy, balanced diet. These give them antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may improve the functioning of your brain, heart, joints, and skin.
Hemp seeds are excellent sources of:
- Complete protein
- Fiber
- Calcium
- B vitamins
- Potassium
- Niacin
- Folate
- Vitamins E & C
- Magnesium
- All 9 essential amino acids
Consumers can now find hemp seed grains in many different forms. From whole to hulled to meal. So, which is the best for your diet and lifestyle? Let’s look at all the forms and how to best use them.
Whole Seeds
Whole hemp seeds are raw seeds that include the inner part of the seed and the outer shell. They are also crunchy and have a lot of fiber. The increased amount of fiber is good for regulating blood sugar.
How Do I Use Whole Hemp Seeds?
Whole hemp seed grain is not intended for use as planting seeds. Instead, whole hemp seed grains are great for adding to your recipes. The main difference between whole seeds and its counterparts is that whole seeds still have the crunchy outer shell.
Whole hemp seeds are also perfect for:
- Pressing your own hemp seeds oils
- Making hemp milk
- Baking into breads and other baked goods
- Topping cereal, granola, and yogurt
- Roasting with spices and eating whole
- Combining with other seeds and nuts in a snack mix
Hulled Seeds
Hulled hemp seeds are raw hemp seeds without the shell. They are also known as hemp hearts and shelled hemp seeds. Hemp seeds have a lower amount of fiber after removing the outer shell, though you’ll still get 1.2 grams of fiber with every three tablespoons of hulled hemp seeds.
How Do I Use Hulled Hemp Seeds?
Hulled hemp seeds are the perfect addition to your cooking routine. Hulled seeds are versatile ingredients for many recipes. They have a soft texture, and also a mild, nutty flavor similar to sunflower seeds and pine nuts.
Hemp hearts are perfect for:
- Adding to breads and other baked goods
- Topping snack bars, cereal, yogurt, and granola
- Stirring into hummus and dipping oils
- Blending into smoothies
- And also for making hemp heart energy balls
Hemp Seed Meal
After pressing hemp seeds to make oil, you can ground the remaining material into a coarse powder called hemp seed meal. Hemp seed meal is an easily digestible source of protein and also fiber.
How Do I Use Hemp Seed Meal?
Hemp seed meal is a great replacement for breadcrumbs and over processed protein powders. It also adds more nutrients and flavor than traditional flour.
Hemp seed meal is perfect for:
- Marinating veggies or meat before frying or roasting
- Making nutrient-rich pastas by hand
- Blending into pesto
- Stirring into smoothies
- Working into tortillas, breads, cookies, pancakes, and other baked goods
Buying Tips and Storage
Most grocery and health food stores sell all forms of hemp seed grain, allowing you to use hemp in the form that’s right for you. If you’re new to hemp, start small, by adding them to your favorite smoothie or snack and see what you think. You can also expand your use of this nutrient-rich food from there.
To store, be sure to keep your seed grain in a sealed container at room temperature. The omega fatty acids in hemp seeds can break down and spoil. You can also keep it in your refrigerator. Pay attention to “best used by” dates to ensure your product is fresh.
Get All the Benefits of Hemp
If hemp seeds aren’t necessarily for you, but you’re interested in checking out the potential benefits of hemp, visit the online store at Arbor Vita8. We offer hemp-derived products in a variety of forms, from products you ingest to those that are purely topical. It’s another way to explore how hemp will make you feel if you’re not ready to start adding to your favorite dishes as a food supplement. To learn more about the potential of hemp, contact us today.
