Cannabis seeds are the seeds of the female hemp plant that have been fertilized by male plants through the wind.
The small, spherical seeds have a diameter of around 3 mm.
They have been used as food for humans and animals for thousands of years.
The cannabis plant is one of the useful plants, the components of which humans have processed in many different ways for thousands of years.
The fibres of hemp were used for the production of paper, ropes and clothes.
Besides, it is 100% legal to buy cannabis seeds online.
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A bit of cannabis history
The oldest hemp textile to date was found in China, the origin of which dates back to around 1000 BC.
BC is estimated. At the wedding of the sailing ships in the 17th century, hemp was an indispensable source of fibres in Europe.
Rigging, ropes and flags were made of cannabis/hemp, as were the sailors’ clothing.
Hemp oil pressed from cannabis seeds was a valued, inexpensive food.
Cannabis seeds today: a global comeback
The mechanization of cotton spinning and weaving in the course of industrialization replaced hemp.
Hemp was not banned in Europe as an intoxicant until 1929.
Interestingly, it didn’t become illegal again until after World War II in 1971.
At that time, the Bundestag converted the former Opium Act of the Weimar Republic into the Narcotics Act.
The cannabis plant is now making a comeback worldwide, thanks in particular to the medicinal effects of CBD.
In Europe and the UK, cannabis plants with a low THC content are considered legal.
In 2016, Appendix 1 to the Narcotics Act excluded hemp plants with a THC content of less than 0.2 per cent from the ban as an intoxicant.
The market is now booming with CBD products that are sold as dietary supplements.
Cannabis seeds also called marijuana seeds, and hemp oil pressed from them benefit from this trend.
For years, cannabis seeds were only used as animal feed. You can now buy the seeds in numerous health food stores, organic supermarkets and on the Internet.
Cannabis seeds: what products are there?
You often get hemp seeds in organic quality because this frugal plant needs little additional nutrients and therefore fertilizer.
Peeled hemp seeds and unshelled hemp seeds are commercially available, for example at Amazon.
Unpeeled cannabis seeds have a pronounced nutty aroma and are characterized by high fibre content.
Some manufacturers also refer to hemp seeds because of their taste as “hemp nuts”.
Ground seeds are offered as hemp flour.
You will also receive hemp seed oil. When purchasing, it is advisable to choose organic cold-pressed oil.
Some producers process the press cake, actually a waste product from oil production, into protein powder.
For this, the dried product is sieved several times.
It removes coarse particles and increases the protein content. You can use this powder for green smoothies or protein shakes.
What is cannabis seed extract?
The hemp seed extract is a powder that is 50 per cent protein.
For this, hemp seeds are subjected to solvent extraction.
The protein powder obtained in this way no longer contains starch and saturated fats.
Hemp seed extract obtained in this way mostly comes from China.
Cannabis seeds: what do you do with them?
How to eat and use hemp seeds for what?
Only your imagination when cooking can limit the number of possible answers to this question. In principle, you can use hemp seeds like nuts.
They look good in muesli or as a crispy addition of cookies, cakes and other baked goods.
How about, for example, enriching baked bread with hemp seeds?
In baked goods, you can replace up to 10 per cent of conventional flour with ground hemp seeds – ideal for a gluten-free diet.
The advantage of this substitute for wheat flour is that it doesn’t feel as dry as rice flour.
However, due to the high proportion of fibers, it is advisable to add plenty of liquid to the dough.
Do not overheat
Hemp seeds also work well in salads and as an ingredient in patties. You can also sprinkle the seeds over vegetable dishes.
However, it would help if you were careful not to overheat cannabis seeds and hemp seed oil.
It is not suitable as an oil for frying. It gives salads a distinctive aroma.
If you don’t like the taste, you can mix hemp seed oil with other types of oil, such as olive oil or pumpkin seed oil.
Germinate cannabis seeds
If you let cannabis seeds germinate, you will improve the already high content of nutrients and their bioavailability as well as the digestibility.
Use unpeeled hemp seeds for this, as peeled seeds cannot germinate.
The ideal temperature for germination is a good 20° C.
First, wash the hemp seeds thoroughly and soak them for 24 hours.
Halfway through this time, rinse the hemp seeds and change the water.
Now put the drained seeds on a sieve, which you place in a suitable bowl. You can also use a seed or canned jar with an air-permeable lid.
Seeds need air to germinate.
After one to one and a half days, small, white germs should break through the seminal wall.
How to store cannabis seeds
Like any other food, it is advisable not to store hemp seeds for too long.
The vitamin content decreases during the storage period. In any case, you should keep your seeds or hemp seed products cool, dark, and dry.
The refrigerator for seeds is ideal. However, ground seeds should not be held in the fridge.
At room temperature, condensation forms, which can stick to the hemp flour.
Do you need cannabis seeds?
The answer to this question is a resounding no. However, the small balls offer a real cornucopia of nutrients and thus complement any healthy diet.
Their high content of all essential amino acids makes them a valuable food for vegetarians and vegans.
Important for patients with autoimmune diseases: the amino acid arginine inhibits inflammation.
Some fatty acids from hemp seeds also have a favourable effect on inflammatory processes.