Hemp seeds: delicious superfood

Hemp is one of the oldest crops in the world and has been used for thousands of years for a variety of purposes, including food. Foods with hemp as an ingredient are becoming increasingly popular, as they not only taste delicious, but are a wholesome food. Hemp seeds, which contain only minute amounts of cannabinoids such as THC or CBD, can be prepared and enjoyed in countless forms. They have a slightly nutty flavor and bring many valuable nutrients to the kitchen.

Whole seeds

The seeds of the hemp plant are known as food due to their nutritional content and beneficial properties. For example, the following substances are present in significant quantities:

• Protein: Hemp seed is rich in plant protein and contains all nine essential amino acids that the body needs to build and repair muscle and tissue.
• Omega-3 fatty acids: As an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, hemp seeds are very valuable. ^[1]
• Dietary fiber: The dietary fiber it contains makes hemp nuts a wholesome food.
• Vitamins and minerals: Hemp seeds contain many different vitamins and are rich in iron and other minerals.
• Antioxidants: Hemp seeds contain valuable antioxidants such as gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which can help reduce oxidative stress. ^[1]

Hemp foods can perfectly round out a healthy diet due to the nutrients they contain. So far, no allergies to hemp seed are known. Thus, they are also suitable as an alternative for people with intolerances or allergies, such as a nut allergy. Since hemp does not contain gluten, it is also a suitable ingredient for gluten-free menus.

The best methods of preparation

The hemp seeds can be prepared in many different ways. The simplest variant: raw as a snack or as a topping for muesli or salad. In addition, there are also some simple recipes to refine the hemp seeds even more:

• Roasted hemp nuts: You can also roast hemp seeds to give them a crunchier texture and more intense flavor. To do this, it is best to use a Teflon pan, which is used only for nuts and egg dishes. Heat the pan to 75% of the heat, add the hemp seeds and turn steadily for even roasting. This takes about 5 minutes. Alternatively, the hemp nuts can also be baked in the oven at max. 140°C can be roasted. Every 10 minutes, turn the seeds over on the baking sheet until they are nice and evenly browned.
• Hemp milk: Hemp seeds can also be processed into a milk. To do this, put 70g of hemp seeds in a blender, add 5dl of water and 2 dates (for a pleasant sweetness) and mix everything well. If necessary, pour the mixture through a fine sieve or gauze cloth and store the milk in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The DIY hemp milk will keep for about 3 days in the refrigerator before the souring process begins.
• Hemp seed butter: Hemp seeds can also be made into a nutty butter, similar to peanut butter or almond butter. To do this, place 2 cups of hemp seeds (use roasted seeds for extra flavor) in a food processor or blender and mix well. Then add 2-3 tablespoons of oil (for example, hemp oil or olive oil) and continue mixing until a creamy consistency. Season with salt or sweeteners to taste and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

With these suggestions, hemp seeds can already be easily integrated into the daily diet. However, the potential of the tasty kernels is far from exhausted. With the right know-how, a wonderful variety of hemp foods can be carried into the (plant-based) kitchen. We obtain this knowledge from the Aargau company Harmonius, whose products we have been offering in our store since recently.

Harmonius: Modern cuisine from hemp seeds

Harmonious is fully committed to hemp seeds. Founder Roger Bottlang had his first experience of a healthy, plant-based diet in his childhood and then trained as a chef in Switzerland’s first organic-vegan restaurant. After many instructive years in the wide world, he now has a company, Harmonious, in which he wants to make his many experiences with the hemp plant palatable to a wider audience.

Hemp seeds are the very best staple food for me. It is my ambition to bring this great food back to the population.

Roger Bottlang, founder of Harmonius

In addition to whole hemp seeds, the Harmonius range also includes numerous processed products. Crunchy hemp nuts for in between, hemp proteins to spice up the home kitchen, hemp nut oil for the cold kitchen, aromatic teas for the winter or baking mixes for a hemp bread. Harmonius sources its raw materials as locally as possible and increasingly in organic quality. As an undemanding and soil-improving plant, hemp is excellent for sustainable cultivation.

The latest craze: hemp tofu. From the two ingredients hemp seeds and water, a product is created that convinces throughout. Harmonius founder Roger Bottlang also encourages people who don’t like classic tofu to jump over their own shadows: he himself never liked tofu, but is now totally into hemp tofu. Whether for curries, “Ghackets mit Hörnli” or as scrambled tofu on toast – there are no limits to creativity.

Just last week again a chili con carne according to a recipe of the grandmother of an old friend from Mexico. I did the same with hemp tofu. and it was absolute madness. Guests didn’t even notice and said it was the very best chili they had ever tasted.

Roger Bottlang

Bottlang’s recipe recommendation: a vegan bolognese with hemp tofu. Prepare a bolognese as usual and next to it fry the tofu (without additional fat) until crispy. Mix the whole thing together just before serving so that the tofu retains its consistency. Tip: a little gravy (e.g. from Knorr, it’s vegan) makes for a particularly tasty bolognese.

Great news from Harmonious’ experimental labs: a hemp drink as a plant-based alternative to cow’s milk is about to be launched. At the same time, products such as a hemp yogurt or hemp cheese have made it into the first phase of development. In the longer term, everything that can already be made from nuts and soybeans will also be created from hemp in the future. We are already looking forward to the future additions to the range.