Nutrient-rich hemp is more accessible and tastier than ever. Here's how to use it in the kitchen, along with some of our favorite product picks. (And in case you're still unsure, hemp cannot get you high. It contains trace—meaning barely detectable—amounts of THC, the psychoactive compound found in marijuana.)
Happy cooking!
Oil.
Light-green and grassy, vegan hemp oil contains a healthy ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fats. Plus, each tablespoon provides 2.5 grams alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which your body partially converts to essential fats EPA and DHA (found in fish oil). Drizzle oil over cooked pasta or roasted vegetables, or whisk it with lemon juice and sea salt for a simple dressing.
Powder.
With 6 grams protein per 2 tablespoons, hemp powder is a vegan alternative to whey protein and contains branched-chain amino acids for muscle repair. For an extra nutritious breakfast, replace 25 percent of your pancake recipe's flour with hemp protein powder; cook as usual.
Try: Bob's Red Mill Hemp Protein Powder
Milk.
Creamy and typically sweetened with brown rice syrup, calcium-rich hemp milk is perfect for smoothies or cereal. Make an iced chai tea latte by adding 6 tablespoons chai tea concentrate to 1 cup hemp milk; add ice, stir, and enjoy.
Try: Pacific Foods Hemp Non-Dairy Beverage Original
Seeds.
Just a few tablespoons of sesame-seed-size hemp seeds deliver ample magnesium, iron, and protein. Coax out more flavor by toasting them: Place 1 cup raw hemp seeds in a dry frying pan over low heat until fragrant and golden, shaking the pan gently to prevent burning. Sprinkle over salads or soup for a delightful, nutty crunch.
Try: Manitoba Harvest Organic Hemp Hearts
