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It seems like every few months a new superfood sprouts up and works its way into almost every aisle at the grocery store.
Quinoa pasta, almond milk, chia-seed granola bars, flax cereal and kale chips are a few examples.
One of the newest hot superfoods might surprise you. Hemp seeds are now used to make everything from frozen waffles to milk, ice cream and protein powder.
Raw hemp seeds have a creamy texture and a nutty taste similar to sunflower or pumpkin seeds. They're similar in size and appearance to sesame seeds, but hemp seeds are softer and have green specks.
Lisa Markley, a nutritionist and healthy eating specialist at Whole Foods, 7401 W. 91st St. in Overland Park, says that 15 years ago people were a little leery about consuming hemp seeds because, like marijuana, hemp is a variety of cannabis. But industrial hemp plants contain extremely low levels of THC – so noshing on hemp seeds won't get you high.
As awareness about industrial hemp and its health benefits spreads – even Dr. Oz and Oprah have come out as hemp seed fans – more people are incorporating hemp into their everyday diets, Markley says.
Raw hemp seeds, the hemp product Markley recommends, are high in protein, fiber and healthy fats. They contain an almost ideal balance of essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which support heart and brain health and are said to balance hormones.
Consuming the recommended 3-tablespoon serving over the course of one day is relatively easy: Just blend the seeds into smoothies or sprinkle on oatmeal, cereal, yogurt, salads and grilled fish.
Because it's illegal to grow industrial hemp in the United States without a permit from the Drug Enforcement Administration, most hemp seeds sold here are produced on farms in Canada, which legalized industrial hemp production 15 years ago. Last year, Canada exported more than $20 million (Canadian dollars) in hemp products – and about 88 percent of those products came to the U.S.
One of Canada's largest hemp food producers, Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods, saw its sales double in 2011 and 2012.
CEO Mike Fata, a player in Canada's movement to legalize industrial hemp, says it took a few years for his company's products to catch on in the U.S.
Manitoba Harvest launched stateside in 2000. An ensuing legal battle with the DEA resulted in hemp products being yanked from grocery store shelves.
Manitoba Harvest and a group of other hemp food producers won their case against the DEA in 2004, but by that time, Fata says, hemp had been stigmatized, and many grocery stores refused to stock it.
Over the past five years, information about hemp's health benefits and history has spread, and chains like Whole Foods, Costco and Kroger started selling more hemp products.
Manitoba Harvest, an advocate for the legalization of industrial hemp in the United States, helped launch Hemp History Week in 2010. The annual event educates the American public about hemp's heritage.
"Thomas Jefferson was a hemp farmer," Fata says. "Hemp has been a long, rich history in the United States. There's nothing to fear."
The movement toward legalizing industrial hemp appears to be taking root.
Last year, Colorado became the latest state to vote to legalize industrial hemp. A handful of other states, including Hawaii, California, Kentucky and Oregon, has done the same, but federal law still prohibits farmers from growing hemp without a DEA permit. And the DEA has yet to issue a permit to a commercial hemp farmer, according to Tom Murphy, National Outreach Coordinator for the nonprofit Vote Hemp.
Hemp farms could soon sprout at some universities. An amendment in the U.S. House version of the 2013 Farm Bill could make it legal for universities to grow hemp for research purposes – but only if the university is located in a state that has voted to legalize industrial hemp.
Kansas and Missouri farms aren't growing hemp yet, but that isn't stopping local food producers from using hemp seeds in everything from beer to chocolate bars.
O'Fallon Brewery in O'Fallon, Mo. – known for its pumpkin beer – also makes an amber ale called Hemp Hop Rye that's brewed with toasted hemp seeds imported from Canada. Brewmaster Brian Owens added Victory malt to the mix to ramp up the nutty flavor of the seeds.
Owens, who snacks on hemp seeds daily, says the Hemp Hop Rye Amber Ale has a dedicated following, but that some people are afraid to take a single sip.
"The biggest question we get is, 'Will I pass my drug test if I drink this beer?'" Owens says.
The answer is yes, Owens says. Owens had O'Fallon's hemp beer certified through Test Pledge, a company that measures THC levels in hemp products.
Another Missouri company, Springfield-based Askinosie Chocolate, released a dark chocolate bar studded with toasted hemp seeds from Happy Hemp, an Austin, Texas-based company that imports hemp seeds from Canada.
The chocolate company's owner, Shawn Askinosie, says customer response to the Dark Chocolate + Toasted Hemp Seeds CollaBARation bar, which came out in June, has been overwhelmingly positive.
"We knew this one would be popular," Askinosie says, "and it has been."
Lawrence-based natural foods company Hilary's Eat Well has a new Hemp & Greens burger. The vegan burger, sold in Whole Foods stores across the country, blends Canadian hemp seeds with arugula, chard, turnip greens, parsley and kale grown in an Olathe garden.
Brown says that if she could use hemp seeds from Kansas, she would. Until then, she says she'll keep importing them from Canada because they're a great source of plant-based protein.
Brown is already working on another hemp burger. She's hoping the next one, a high-protein burger, will hit store shelves by the end of this year.
Hemp Seed Apricot Chews
Lisa Markley of Whole Foods recommends this recipe for raw cookies. Follow the recipe to make bars, or incorporate even more hemp seeds by forming the mixture into half dollar-sized balls, then rolling the balls in shelled hemp seeds. These chews will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks if you store them in an airtight container.
Makes 24 bars (or about 20 balls)
3 cups (about 1 pound) dried apricots, roughly chopped
1 cup chopped pitted dates
1 cup shelled hemp seeds
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon gluten-free vanilla extract
Line an 8-by-8-inch pan with parchment paper and set aside.
Pulse all ingredients in a food processor until mixture forms a chunky paste. Transfer to prepared pan and press with a spatula to create an even thickness. Cover and chill until firm, 1 to 2 hours, and then cut into squares.
Per bar: 98 calories (21 percent from fat), 2 grams total fat (trace saturated), no cholesterol, 18 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams protein, 4 milligrams sodium, 4 grams dietary fiber.
Source: Whole Foods
Happy Nut-Free Pesto
Tara Miko, founder of an Austin, Texas-based line of hemp seed products called Happy Hemp, loves this recipe for pesto, which subs hemp seeds for pine nuts. Hemp seeds are a low-allergen food, which makes them a good alternative for people who are allergic to nuts or soy.
Makes 1 cup pesto
2 cups basil
1 cup parsley
2 cloves garlic
1/4 tablespoon lemon juice
1 cup hemp seeds
1/2 cup olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Combine the basil, parsley, garlic, lemon and hemp seeds in a food processor. Pulse a few times. Turn the food processor to low and slowly add olive oil.
Scrape the sides of the food processor, then add salt and pepper to taste.
Per 2-tablespoon serving: 122 calories (79 percent from fat), 10 grams total fat (1 gram saturated), no cholesterol, 4 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams protein, 14 milligrams sodium, 3 grams dietary fiber.
Source: Tara Miko, founder of Happy Hemp
Hemp Products
Hemp Hearts
The best-selling product from Canada's Manitoba Harvest is Hemp Hearts, a line of raw shelled hemp seeds that you can sprinkle on everything from oatmeal to salads and grilled fish. Unlike flax, hemp seeds are soft, and they don't require grinding. You can blend hemp seeds into hummus, pesto and smoothies or make homemade hemp milk by grinding a 3-tablespoon serving of the seeds with water (strain the mixture if you want a smooth texture). Lisa Markley, the Whole Foods nutritionist, recommends storing hemp seeds in the refrigerator to prevent the oil from going rancid.
- About $12 to $16 per bag at local health food stores
Tempt Hempmilk
Living Harvest, a company based in Portland, Ore., produces this milk alternative, which contains 2 grams of protein per serving. Hempmilk, made from ground hemp seeds, can be used like any other milk: In coffee, on cereal, or in cooking or baking.
- $3.89 at the Community Mercantile, 901 Iowa St. in Lawrence
Hemp Protein Powder
For those looking for an alternative to dairy or soy-based protein powders, hemp is a good option. The greenish powder is made from ground hemp seeds, so it has the same flavor and nutrition value. Because it's finer, it blends easily into smoothies and yogurt and can be used to replace up to 25 percent of flour in baked goods. Markley says the only drawback to hemp protein powder is that the flavor is not as bland as other varieties, so the flavor might be too strong in some applications.
- $11.99 at local Hy-Vee stores
Hilary's Eat Well Hemp & Greens veggie burger
Hemp seeds boost the protein, fiber and healthy fat content of these vegan burger patties. Greens grown in an Olathe garden add vitamins, minerals and a fresh taste that contrasts nicely with the hemp's flavor.
- About $3.75 for two patties at Whole Foods stores
Hemp Hop Rye
First released by O'Fallon Brewery in 2010, this amber ale gets nuttiness from unsalted toasted hemp seeds and Victory malt. Rye adds a spicy, earthy kick that contrasts with the hemp's nuttiness, says brewmaster Brian Owens. A kiss of Cascade hops adds citrus-y tones without overpowering the subtle flavor of the hemp.
- $8.49 at Cork & Barrel, 901 Mississippi St. in Lawrence
Askinosie Dark Chocolate + Toasted Hemp Seeds CollaBARation Bar
Askinosie Chocolate's latest collaboration is with Happy Hemp, an Austin, Texas-based company that imports hemp seeds from Canada. The bar has very few ingredients – just cocoa beans, organic cane sugar, toasted hemp seeds and cocoa butter – which helps the flavor and the crunch of the hemp seeds stand out. Owner Shawn Askinosie recommends eating the bar hemp-side down for maximum enjoyment of the bar's crunchy texture. "It's almost like Pop Rocks or Rice Krispies," he says.
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: kansascity.com
Author: Sarah Gish
Contact: KansasCity.com | Contact Us
Website: Hemp seeds promoted as the next superfood - KansasCity.com
Quinoa pasta, almond milk, chia-seed granola bars, flax cereal and kale chips are a few examples.
One of the newest hot superfoods might surprise you. Hemp seeds are now used to make everything from frozen waffles to milk, ice cream and protein powder.
Raw hemp seeds have a creamy texture and a nutty taste similar to sunflower or pumpkin seeds. They're similar in size and appearance to sesame seeds, but hemp seeds are softer and have green specks.
Lisa Markley, a nutritionist and healthy eating specialist at Whole Foods, 7401 W. 91st St. in Overland Park, says that 15 years ago people were a little leery about consuming hemp seeds because, like marijuana, hemp is a variety of cannabis. But industrial hemp plants contain extremely low levels of THC – so noshing on hemp seeds won't get you high.
As awareness about industrial hemp and its health benefits spreads – even Dr. Oz and Oprah have come out as hemp seed fans – more people are incorporating hemp into their everyday diets, Markley says.
Raw hemp seeds, the hemp product Markley recommends, are high in protein, fiber and healthy fats. They contain an almost ideal balance of essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which support heart and brain health and are said to balance hormones.
Consuming the recommended 3-tablespoon serving over the course of one day is relatively easy: Just blend the seeds into smoothies or sprinkle on oatmeal, cereal, yogurt, salads and grilled fish.
Because it's illegal to grow industrial hemp in the United States without a permit from the Drug Enforcement Administration, most hemp seeds sold here are produced on farms in Canada, which legalized industrial hemp production 15 years ago. Last year, Canada exported more than $20 million (Canadian dollars) in hemp products – and about 88 percent of those products came to the U.S.
One of Canada's largest hemp food producers, Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods, saw its sales double in 2011 and 2012.
CEO Mike Fata, a player in Canada's movement to legalize industrial hemp, says it took a few years for his company's products to catch on in the U.S.
Manitoba Harvest launched stateside in 2000. An ensuing legal battle with the DEA resulted in hemp products being yanked from grocery store shelves.
Manitoba Harvest and a group of other hemp food producers won their case against the DEA in 2004, but by that time, Fata says, hemp had been stigmatized, and many grocery stores refused to stock it.
Over the past five years, information about hemp's health benefits and history has spread, and chains like Whole Foods, Costco and Kroger started selling more hemp products.
Manitoba Harvest, an advocate for the legalization of industrial hemp in the United States, helped launch Hemp History Week in 2010. The annual event educates the American public about hemp's heritage.
"Thomas Jefferson was a hemp farmer," Fata says. "Hemp has been a long, rich history in the United States. There's nothing to fear."
The movement toward legalizing industrial hemp appears to be taking root.
Last year, Colorado became the latest state to vote to legalize industrial hemp. A handful of other states, including Hawaii, California, Kentucky and Oregon, has done the same, but federal law still prohibits farmers from growing hemp without a DEA permit. And the DEA has yet to issue a permit to a commercial hemp farmer, according to Tom Murphy, National Outreach Coordinator for the nonprofit Vote Hemp.
Hemp farms could soon sprout at some universities. An amendment in the U.S. House version of the 2013 Farm Bill could make it legal for universities to grow hemp for research purposes – but only if the university is located in a state that has voted to legalize industrial hemp.
Kansas and Missouri farms aren't growing hemp yet, but that isn't stopping local food producers from using hemp seeds in everything from beer to chocolate bars.
O'Fallon Brewery in O'Fallon, Mo. – known for its pumpkin beer – also makes an amber ale called Hemp Hop Rye that's brewed with toasted hemp seeds imported from Canada. Brewmaster Brian Owens added Victory malt to the mix to ramp up the nutty flavor of the seeds.
Owens, who snacks on hemp seeds daily, says the Hemp Hop Rye Amber Ale has a dedicated following, but that some people are afraid to take a single sip.
"The biggest question we get is, 'Will I pass my drug test if I drink this beer?'" Owens says.
The answer is yes, Owens says. Owens had O'Fallon's hemp beer certified through Test Pledge, a company that measures THC levels in hemp products.
Another Missouri company, Springfield-based Askinosie Chocolate, released a dark chocolate bar studded with toasted hemp seeds from Happy Hemp, an Austin, Texas-based company that imports hemp seeds from Canada.
The chocolate company's owner, Shawn Askinosie, says customer response to the Dark Chocolate + Toasted Hemp Seeds CollaBARation bar, which came out in June, has been overwhelmingly positive.
"We knew this one would be popular," Askinosie says, "and it has been."
Lawrence-based natural foods company Hilary's Eat Well has a new Hemp & Greens burger. The vegan burger, sold in Whole Foods stores across the country, blends Canadian hemp seeds with arugula, chard, turnip greens, parsley and kale grown in an Olathe garden.
Brown says that if she could use hemp seeds from Kansas, she would. Until then, she says she'll keep importing them from Canada because they're a great source of plant-based protein.
Brown is already working on another hemp burger. She's hoping the next one, a high-protein burger, will hit store shelves by the end of this year.
Hemp Seed Apricot Chews
Lisa Markley of Whole Foods recommends this recipe for raw cookies. Follow the recipe to make bars, or incorporate even more hemp seeds by forming the mixture into half dollar-sized balls, then rolling the balls in shelled hemp seeds. These chews will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks if you store them in an airtight container.
Makes 24 bars (or about 20 balls)
3 cups (about 1 pound) dried apricots, roughly chopped
1 cup chopped pitted dates
1 cup shelled hemp seeds
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon gluten-free vanilla extract
Line an 8-by-8-inch pan with parchment paper and set aside.
Pulse all ingredients in a food processor until mixture forms a chunky paste. Transfer to prepared pan and press with a spatula to create an even thickness. Cover and chill until firm, 1 to 2 hours, and then cut into squares.
Per bar: 98 calories (21 percent from fat), 2 grams total fat (trace saturated), no cholesterol, 18 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams protein, 4 milligrams sodium, 4 grams dietary fiber.
Source: Whole Foods
Happy Nut-Free Pesto
Tara Miko, founder of an Austin, Texas-based line of hemp seed products called Happy Hemp, loves this recipe for pesto, which subs hemp seeds for pine nuts. Hemp seeds are a low-allergen food, which makes them a good alternative for people who are allergic to nuts or soy.
Makes 1 cup pesto
2 cups basil
1 cup parsley
2 cloves garlic
1/4 tablespoon lemon juice
1 cup hemp seeds
1/2 cup olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Combine the basil, parsley, garlic, lemon and hemp seeds in a food processor. Pulse a few times. Turn the food processor to low and slowly add olive oil.
Scrape the sides of the food processor, then add salt and pepper to taste.
Per 2-tablespoon serving: 122 calories (79 percent from fat), 10 grams total fat (1 gram saturated), no cholesterol, 4 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams protein, 14 milligrams sodium, 3 grams dietary fiber.
Source: Tara Miko, founder of Happy Hemp
Hemp Products
Hemp Hearts
The best-selling product from Canada's Manitoba Harvest is Hemp Hearts, a line of raw shelled hemp seeds that you can sprinkle on everything from oatmeal to salads and grilled fish. Unlike flax, hemp seeds are soft, and they don't require grinding. You can blend hemp seeds into hummus, pesto and smoothies or make homemade hemp milk by grinding a 3-tablespoon serving of the seeds with water (strain the mixture if you want a smooth texture). Lisa Markley, the Whole Foods nutritionist, recommends storing hemp seeds in the refrigerator to prevent the oil from going rancid.
- About $12 to $16 per bag at local health food stores
Tempt Hempmilk
Living Harvest, a company based in Portland, Ore., produces this milk alternative, which contains 2 grams of protein per serving. Hempmilk, made from ground hemp seeds, can be used like any other milk: In coffee, on cereal, or in cooking or baking.
- $3.89 at the Community Mercantile, 901 Iowa St. in Lawrence
Hemp Protein Powder
For those looking for an alternative to dairy or soy-based protein powders, hemp is a good option. The greenish powder is made from ground hemp seeds, so it has the same flavor and nutrition value. Because it's finer, it blends easily into smoothies and yogurt and can be used to replace up to 25 percent of flour in baked goods. Markley says the only drawback to hemp protein powder is that the flavor is not as bland as other varieties, so the flavor might be too strong in some applications.
- $11.99 at local Hy-Vee stores
Hilary's Eat Well Hemp & Greens veggie burger
Hemp seeds boost the protein, fiber and healthy fat content of these vegan burger patties. Greens grown in an Olathe garden add vitamins, minerals and a fresh taste that contrasts nicely with the hemp's flavor.
- About $3.75 for two patties at Whole Foods stores
Hemp Hop Rye
First released by O'Fallon Brewery in 2010, this amber ale gets nuttiness from unsalted toasted hemp seeds and Victory malt. Rye adds a spicy, earthy kick that contrasts with the hemp's nuttiness, says brewmaster Brian Owens. A kiss of Cascade hops adds citrus-y tones without overpowering the subtle flavor of the hemp.
- $8.49 at Cork & Barrel, 901 Mississippi St. in Lawrence
Askinosie Dark Chocolate + Toasted Hemp Seeds CollaBARation Bar
Askinosie Chocolate's latest collaboration is with Happy Hemp, an Austin, Texas-based company that imports hemp seeds from Canada. The bar has very few ingredients – just cocoa beans, organic cane sugar, toasted hemp seeds and cocoa butter – which helps the flavor and the crunch of the hemp seeds stand out. Owner Shawn Askinosie recommends eating the bar hemp-side down for maximum enjoyment of the bar's crunchy texture. "It's almost like Pop Rocks or Rice Krispies," he says.
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: kansascity.com
Author: Sarah Gish
Contact: KansasCity.com | Contact Us
Website: Hemp seeds promoted as the next superfood - KansasCity.com
