The rise of hemp as superfood
2020-08-28
With the rise in demand for eco-friendly products, the hemp plant finally has its chance to shine!
With the rise in demand for eco-friendly plant-based products, the ancient hemp plant finally has its chance to shine!
Once shunned by the industrial world, the fast-growing, environmentally sustainable and nutritionally beneficial hemp is now popping up in all kinds of products, from clothing to food to construction materials.
Today we are taking a look at hemp - what it is, how it works and why brands across the world are finally seeing the worth of this incredible plant.
What is hemp?
Hemp is a strain of the Cannabis Sativa plant (marijuana), that is grown for its industrial uses - and there are so many! The difference between traditional cannabis and hemp is that the THC levels in hemp - the element of cannabis that makes you “high” - is very low. This doesn’t result in intoxication like regular cannabis.
Once banned in many countries due to widespread misunderstanding about it, hemp has actually been grown for industrial purposes for over 50,000 years. Hemp grows extremely quickly and is lightweight, which makes it a fantastic natural plant many global brands are turning to for many different production reasons. In addition, hemp plants are also a plant that gives back! Hemp crops actually feed their soil with powerful nutrients, and hemp products are biodegradable and recyclable. Hemp really is the natural gift that keeps on giving.
The diversity of hemp
There’s no shortage of products that are now being manufactured using hemp, and many have given it the title “the material of the future”. Just a brief search of the internet and you’ll be hit with a neverending abundance of diverse products that are now being made using hemp as their primary ingredient.
Clothing and accessories, beauty products, makeup, rope, paper, building insulation, bioplastics, jewellery, building supplies, home decor and furniture, painting supplies, animal feed and even soil improvers. And that’s just to name a few uses for hemp. However, today we are talking about one use for hemp that many households across the world are embracing - food!
The lowdown of hemp in food
Hemp-based food is now a billion dollar industry that many companies are incorporating into their products. Not only to contribute to the protection of our planet’s future, but also to offer more sustainable food alternatives to their eco-friendly customers who are actively making better choices for them and their families.
Hemp foods have been approved for consumption in Australia since 2017, and since then, many Aussies have eagerly embraced hemp as part of their everyday diet.
The powerful seed of the hemp plant is used to make a variety of food products that will not get you high, but have many dietary benefits and environmental ones as well. Hemp seeds are high in the fatty acids any healthy body needs, as well as being a great source of fibre, Vitamin E, magnesium and iron.
Some foods that are now being produced using hemp are: hemp milk, hemp meat, hemp oil, hemp porridge, hemp beverages, hemp lollies, hemp pasta, hemp honey, hemp protein powder, hemp cheese, hemp tea, hemp bread, hemp spread, hemp vitamins - and so much more.
Alternatively, you can buy your own hemp seeds and add them to smoothies, your breakfast cereal, salads or to make your own hemp protein balls.
And what about the taste? Some people state it changes the taste of a product slightly, while others hardly notice a change in taste.
Buy hemp products today
La Española’s exclusive stockist Down Under, Coles, has a large range of hemp food products available to check out. While you’re there, be sure to stock up on another natural pantry staple, La Española Olive Oil.
