Everyone’s talk about: hemp

This nutrition-packed seed can now be legally sold in Australia

High in nutrition, this leafy green crop has been legalised as a food. Here’s why you might want to add it to your shopping list.

WHAT IS IT?

Late last year, hemp, also known as Cannabis sativa, was approved for use as a food by the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). The result? Hemp seed products can now legally be sold in Australia, finally giving us access to this nutritious seed.

You might have heard of cannabis extracts being used for medicinal purposes, but it’s important to differentiate between hemp and other varieties of C. sativa, commonly known as marijuana. The key difference? Hemp contains no, or very low levels, of THC – that’s delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the cannabinoid associated with the psychoactive properties of marijuana. The bottom line: eating hemp foods is good for us but it won’t have the same therapeutic effects as cannabis extracts.

WHY THE FUSS?

Hemp seeds might come from the cannabis plant, but the only high you can expect from eating them is high nutritional value. That’s because all hemp foods legally sold in Australia contain less than 1 per cent THC (marijuana has 100 times more THC by comparison). A recent report by Melbourne’s Swinburne University of Technology says it’s highly unlikely eating hemp seeds will result in a positive drug test. Phew!

Hemp seeds are a good source of hunger-satisfying protein – a small handful provides 9g (which is more protein than an egg), and contains all of the essential amino acids (protein building blocks for the body), which make it a nutrition powerhouse if you’re vegan. One study found your body absorbs more of these vital building blocks from hulled seeds.

Hemp foods are also a vegetarian source of omega-3 fatty acids, which help dampen inflammation. One New Zealand study found cold-pressed hemp oil has more antioxidants than flaxseed oil, to help fight free radical damage in the body. Salad dressing, anyone?

HOW DO I EAT IT

Hemp seeds have a nutty taste that lends itself equally to sweet and savoury dishes. Treat it like the other seeds you sprinkle on morning porridge or add to a smoothie (think flaxseed, chia or pepitas). For a filling light meal, throw a spoonful over smashed avocado on toast. And if you’re feeling adventurous in the kitchen, blitz them into a gluten-free ‘breadcrumb’ to use in cooking, or blend a tablespoon with 200ml water to make your own dairy-free hemp milk. You can also drizzle hemp seed oil on salads or steamed vegies.