Coming specifically from hemp seeds (duh), hempseed oil is commonly confused with its uber-popular counterpart, CBD oil. While CBD oil is a health powerhouse in its own right, hemp seed oil also carries with it plenty of health benefits. It has a rich nutrient profile, lots of good fats and fatty acids and carries a wide range of nutrients. Hempseed oil can help skin health, inflammation, brain & hearth health. Hemp seed oil is a worthy addition into anyone’s diet.

You may know that CBD oil extraction involves complicated machines that use different solvents such as C02. We thought you’d want to know how making hemp seed oil compares. Below we’ll outline how hemp seeds are commonly extracted and even how you can make your own oil at home!

MAKING HEMP SEED OIL: THE TRADITIONAL METHOD

All seed oils are extracted with an oilseed press machine, and hemp seeds are no different. Used for edible and industrial oils, the oilseed press machine is a trusty & sturdy machine for oil extraction. Seed press machines usually come in two distinct types: a traditional screw press or a reducing screw design.

A lot of variables go into the specific pressing of different seeds, but the main concept stays the same. First you dispense raw seeds into the seed hopper, then an expeller screw crushes the seeds. Next, the oils run through canals where the pulp gets separated from the oil.

The oil produced from this method is pure, raw and as unprocessed as modern technology can get. And this is the basic & traditional method of extracting oils from seeds. This basic method and machinery are used for all kinds of seeds and even nuts. Oils from peanuts, sesame seeds and of course hemp seeds are extracted by this method.

MAKING SEED OILS IS MORE COMPLEX THAN IT SEEMS

While the traditional hemp oil press method seems simplistic, it’s actually surprisingly complex. Many variables go into seed pressing that can make or break a batch of oil.

Let’s take seed moisture content for an example. If a seed is stored incorrectly and it harbors a higher-than-normal moisture content, then it will not press well. This is because if a seed is pressed with too much moisture, the moisture will actually tie up the oil within the seeds. Problems arise with moisture levels that are too low as well. That will increase the pressing temperatures, leading to lesser oil production and potentially going above the temperature limit for “cold-pressed” oils (120°F). Even something as simple as storage can impact the way the seeds interact with the press machines, which is why it’s important for manufacturers to pay attention to every part of the process.

Seed quality is another important characteristic. Non-ripe seeds produce different quality oils and smells than ripe seeds. And obviously seeds that are moldy and improperly stored will produce low-quality oil. The actual operation of the seed press is important too, as the settings for the machine greatly affect the pressing method and pressing temperature. An operator must know how to manipulate the distance between the press head and the screw end, the speed of the press, the tip size and the type of screw needed for the seed. This is why having a well-experienced seed press machine operator is important for companies looking to produce quality hempseed oil products.

WHAT IS COLD-PRESSED OIL?

The reason a “cold-pressed” oil is preferred over others (even though it produces less oil) is that it tends to keep more of the characteristics and benefits of the seed in the final oil.

Cold pressing also produces lower phosphorous levels. phosphorous is the culprit for the “green” and “grassy” flavors of some oils. If this is something you dislike, then cold-pressed oils are for you.

Heat and the distinctive characteristics of the oil it produces affects the quality of CBD oil too. Most CBD extraction methods require heating and pressurizing chemicals to supercritical temperatures. If you want an oil that keeps the majority of the plant’s original characteristics and fats without the ‘grassy’ taste, then cold pressed oil might be a good match.

MAKING HEMP SEED OIL AT HOME

If you’re like us, you can’t afford to buy an industrial scale oil press machine. You might still want to experiment with making your own CBD oil. If so, we suggest you purchase a hand crank oil press. Not only can you make hemp seed oil, but you can press any type of seed or nut that you want.

Making hemp seed oil on a hand crank seed press is easy. First, set up the press on a flat, secure surface. Next, you’ll fill the attached oil lamp and light it for 10 minutes prior to operation. This warms up the crank and ensures the oil separates. Then, simply put seeds into the hopper and crank away!

That’s the basics of how to make hemp seed oil. We hope that the next time you see seed oils in the store, that you have a little bit more appreciation for all the hard work and precision that goes into making them.

The post Making Hemp Seed Oil: A Simple Guide To How It’s Made appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

This plant is still best known for its psychoactive uses (in a form often called “marijuana”) or for CBD, the popular nutritional supplement. However, hemp is an amazing multi-purpose plant. Hemp seeds, in particular, are very healthy as a food.

After struggling under decades of stigma, today consumers prize hemp for its health benefits. No other single plant source can compare with the nutritional value of hemp seeds. In its small seed, hemp packs a good source of amino acids, protein, fiber, and essential fatty acids. Hemp is also considered to be more allergy-free than some plant proteins.

Today, you can commonly find hemp hearts (hulled hemp seeds) in almost any grocery store, along with numerous hemp protein powders and similar products. However, at the end of this article, we’ve linked to some of our favorite brands available on Amazon, for ease of ordering. While we recommend that you never buy CBD oil on Amazon, it’s safe to order hemp food products on Amazon just as you would any other ingredient.

Benefits of hemp seed

These seeds have several benefits that make them a superior source of daily nutrients:

• Hemp seeds are nutritionally superior to flax, chia, or fish Oil

Hemp contains both GLA (gamma linolenic acid) and CLA (conjugated linoleic acid). GLA is a fatty acid that has anti-inflammatory properties. CLA is a building block of cell membranes. It also offers more protein than Flax & Chia.

• Balanced ratio of Essential Fatty Acids

Hemp offers a naturally balanced 1:3 ratio of Omega-3 and Omega-6 Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs). EFAs are responsible for strengthening your immune system.

“One of the most complete sources of vegetable nutrition”

• Hemp seeds offer all 10 Essential Amino Acids

There are 8 amino acids that the human body cannot make and 2 more the body cannot make in sufficient quantity. Hemp offers all these essential amino acids in its seed.

• Great source of dietary fiber

Hemp seeds offer 17g of fiber per serving, while a serving of hemp protein also contains 8-11g of fiber. Hemp is a great way to add fiber to your daily diet.

• Source of vitamins and minerals

Hemp seeds are a great source of vitamin E and minerals such as phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, sulfur, calcium, iron and zinc.

• 25% of the total calories are high quality protein

65% of the protein in hemp seed is edestin, a protein that helps your immune system to properly function. 35% of the protein is albumin, which helps the protein get easily assimilated into the body. Hemp offers a great alternative protein if you are allergic to dairy.

• Fights bad cholesterol levels & blood clots

Studies have suggested that hemp seed and hemp seed oil can help break down cholesterol as well as fight blood clots, which are typically caused by high cholesterol levels.

• Helps improve various skin conditions

Clinical trials have shown that the Omega-3 and Omega-6 found in hemp oil help dry skin and are beneficial for the treatment of conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.

While eating healthy can be great for your skin, hemp oil and hemp-based products may be even more beneficial when used directly in skin care.

Ways to eat hemp seeds

Hemp seeds can be eaten in so many different ways. It just really depends on your creativity.

Here are just a few common ways to eat them:

• Eat raw as a snack.
• Mix into your smoothie.
• Sprinkle on top of cereal, salads, yogurt, or even oatmeal.
• Substitute hemp hearts for breadcrumbs to coat chicken or fish.
• Blend with water to make hemp seed milk.
• Ground hemp seed to use it as a condiment.
• Toasted hemp seeds can be eaten like popcorn.

Recipes for hemp hearts

Today, you can find hemp heart recipes on many food websites. We’ve collected a few of our favorite hemp recipes that we’ve published over the last few years below:

Easy Hemp Protein Smoothie

Ultimate Hemp Oatmeal

Hemp Heart Fried Shrimp

No Bake Hemp Energy Balls

Things to consider when buying hemp seeds

With hemp food products so widely available, it’s pretty easy to buy hemp hearts or hemp protein. Still, here’s a few tips:

• What kind of hemp seeds are you buying?

Hulled hemp, often called hemp hearts, is the entire seed with the crunchy outer shell removed.

Hulling the seeds, rather than eating as a whole, makes it easier to eat. Removing the shell also makes the hemp hearts more nutritious, as it increases the overall percentage of protein and essential fatty acids. You can eat hemp hearts in numerous ways, such as mixing in shakes, cereal, or sprinkling some on your salad.

Toasted hemp seeds are whole seeds that are roasted in high temperatures for a varied length of time. This results in a popcorn like snack. Toasted hemp is a popular snack in many countries around the world, especially in the Middle East.

In addition to hulled & toasted hemp seeds, producers add hemp as an ingredient to their products, as hemp is such a healthy supplement. Be on the lookout to see if you run into any energy bars or spreads that have hemp in them! Most grocery stores also stock hemp protein powders that are perfect for adding to smoothies and shakes.

• Where are the seeds grown?

Hemp is grown in most industrialized countries, including the United States.

Most hemp grown in the U.S. is grown for CBD, a popular nutritional supplement with many benefits. Slowly, U.S. farmers are producing more acres of hemp in the U.S. for other uses, including food. Many other countries typically grow hemp for industrial use (construction, textiles, etc.) and for food.

Outside of the United States, Canada has the best quality hemp grown for food. This is not only because of the taste of the hemp strain that Canadian farmers use, but also because of the strict regulations that the Canadian government enforces.

Canadian farmers can only plant hemp seed varieties listed under Health Canada’s List of Approved Cultivars. Canadian farmers also don’t plant GMO seeds or use pesticides when farming hemp.

In general, you should avoid hemp grown in China or most other countries when selecting hemp foods. China doesn’t regulate hemp producers as strictly as Canadian farmers. An easy way to tell the difference between Canadian hemp and others is by taste.

Make sure to check labels to ensure the hemp is from Canada or the U.S.!

• What flavor are you looking for?

Hemp seeds have a pleasant nutty taste. Many people compare them to unflavored sunflower seeds, but with a much softer texture. We think you’ll find them delicious once you try them.

Most hemp hearts are unflavored, though there are some flavored hemp hearts available. When it comes to toasted hemp seeds, you’ll find a variety of flavors out there, much like peanuts or corn nuts.

• Do hemp seed brands matter?

It’s relatively easy to find hemp at your local grocery store. However, there’s also a lot of boutique U.S. brands that offer great hemp seed products through honest ingredients and fair prices.

Check out our full unbiased hemp seed brands review to find which brand offers the best quality hemp seeds and where you can buy them.

Kit O’Connell contributed to this guide.

The post Benefits of Hemp Seeds: Are These Good For You? appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

The confusion is compounded by the lack of regulation around hemp-based supplements, particularly CBD oil. Misleading, and even outright dishonestly labelled products abound. In particular, Amazon.com is a dangerous place to buy CBD thanks to the thousands of fake and misleading products there.

We created this article in the hopes of clearing up the confusion around different types of CBD oil.

Table of contents

• The three different types of hemp oil
• Hemp seed oil
• CBD oil / hemp extract
• Hemp essential oil
• Why it matters

Three very different types of oil made from hemp

Simply put, it’s important to realize that there are different types of hemp oil and each one of them has different properties and benefits.

Hemp oils can be broken down into 3 different types:

• Hemp seed oil (Unrefined and Refined)
• CBD oil, also known as “hemp extract”
• Hemp essential oil

All these oils are both extracted from the plant and processed in different ways. More importantly, all these oils offer different benefits. Understanding what properties each of these oils have will help you understand which hemp oil to shop for the next time you’re looking to try one.

Hemp seed oil (refined and unrefined)

Hemp seed oil comes from the seeds of the hemp plant. There are two different ways to make hemp seed oil:

Unrefined, cold-pressed hemp seed oil

This oil is green in color with a nutty flavor. Cold pressed hemp oil preserves hemp’s nutritious content, so it is often called “nature’s most perfectly balanced oil.”

Unrefined, cold-pressed hemp oil is processed in minimal heat. This means that the oil has not been bleached or deodorized.

A lot of unrefined oils are also called “virgin,” “extra virgin,” “raw,” or “pure.” This also means that unrefined oil has a much shorter shelf life and should be stored in the refrigerator once opened. The oil can also start smelling odd when it gets closer to its expiration date. When you hear someone complaining about the foul odor from a hemp seed oil they just bought, you can assume that the bottle was in storage for a while. In this case, we’d recommend you reach out to the manufacturer to ask for a refund and/or exchange.

Refined hemp seed oil

Refined oil is clear and colorless. It doesn’t have much flavor and also lacks the natural vitamins and antioxidants that hemp is known for. That’s because this oil is typically used as ingredients for body care products, fuel, lubricants, and even plastics.

This oil has been bleached and deodorized. That is why refined oil has a much longer shelf life, and can be used in body care products. Dr. Bronners, the biggest hemp soap maker, advocates hemp oil for its superfatting ingredients. They have been using hemp oil in their soaps for over 150 years for its amazing essential fatty acid (EFA) content, which essentially means that the soap is smoother and a great moisturizer.

CBD oil / hemp extract

CBD (Cannabidiol) is a a non psychoactive cannabinoid. It’s extracted from the flowers and leaves hemp plants, for medical use, as a nutritional supplement, or even a skin care ingredient. Somewhat confusingly, CBD oil can also be referred to on product labels as hemp extract, and sometimes even just “hemp oil.”

CBD oil has exploded into a billion dollar industry since the legalization of hemp at the end of 2018. CBD offers numerous benefits thanks to its interactions with the human endocannabinoid system, where it mimics natural compounds created by our bodies. Consumers report this type of hemp oil offers relief of pain, anxiety, and even epileptic seizures, among other ways CBD can help.

Although CBD oil is legal to buy, use and possess in the United States, it’s currently almost totally unregulated. That means you have to be very careful buying CBD Oil in order to ensure you buy a product that is pure and accurately labelled. Also, since hemp can absorb toxins and heavy metals from the soil, it’s important to buy only hemp oil products made from U.S.-grown hemp that’s produced under carefully controlled conditions.

Helping consumers buy better CBD products is a big part of our mission at the Ministry of Hemp. You’ll find more information, and reviews of some of the best hemp extracts, in the CBD menus at the top of our site.

Hemp essential oil

Hemp essential oil comes from the upper leaves and flowers of the hemp plant. The leaves and flowers are steam distilled to capture the pure essence of the plant. This oil is pale yellow to light green in color with a a highly concentrated therapeutic aroma. It takes over fifty pounds of hemp to make 1 ounce of hemp essential oil. It is also one of the most expensive oils in the world, and it contains no THC or CBD.

Hemp essential oil is well known for its essential oil aroma and therapeutic abilities on the central nervous system. Unlike the other types of hemp oil, you should not take hemp essential oil internally. Instead, it can be blended carefully into a carrier oil or used for its scent. It helps to release stress and relax the body. Its earthy, peppery and faintly sweet scent is alluring and sensual; blending perfectly with other fragrances to perfect the art of aromatherapy.

Hemp essential oil is the rarest type of hemp oil. A few brands offer hemp essential oil for sale while some others blend hemp essential oil into products like candles.

Why it matters

As hemp oil becomes increasingly popular among active people looking for a healthy supplement or patients considering a medical alternative, it’s important that we know which oil offers what benefits. Taking hemp seed oil with the hopes that it’ll help you “relax” or get rid of chronic pain can only be discouraging. At best, you’ll experience a few placebo effects.

So if you’re looking to try hemp oil, make sure to learn what type of hemp oil will best fit your needs. Proactively share your knowledge with your friends and family so they aren’t confused about the benefits that hemp oil offers. The sooner we can raise awareness of the differences in hemp oil, the quicker we can get rid of misleading reviews, such as the one that we’ve seen on Amazon.

Kit O’Connell contributed to this article.

The post Understanding the Different Types of Hemp Oil appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

Today we’re here with Drew and she’s going to show us one of her favorite recipes, a tasty and fresh summer hemp seed salad!

Thanks to the power of hemp seeds, this is is an easy and quick meal packed full of omega 3 & 6 fatty acids, as well as other essential nutrients. This hemp seed salad also makes a great base for other ingredients. You can easily add more protein, like tofu, nuts, eggs or chicken, depending on whether you want a vegan salad.

With this recipe, we focused on fresh vegetables that are in season right now in Central Texas. You can pick some great vegetables that are in season where you live, too.

Have an idea for a recipe? Let us know in the comments!

Easy Hemp Seed Salad Recipe

Prep time: about 20 minutes

Servings: Serves 2 or more

Ingredients

For Salad

• Arugula lettuce
• Strawberries
• Carrots
• Radishes
• Cherry tomatoes
• Ripe avocado
• Hemp hearts
• Sunflower seeds

For dressing

• Olive oil
• Apple cider vinegar
• Salt & Pepper
• Fresh lime juice

Preparation

• Chop lettuce and slice other ingredients into bite-sized pieces. Dice avocado into cubes.
• Combine salad ingredients in a bowl, adding at least 2 tablespoons of hemp hearts and mixing well.
• Mix olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper, and fresh-squeezed lime juice in a bowl. Whisk or stir well with a fork.
• Add dressing to salad and serve immediately.

The post Easy Hemp Seed Salad: Fresh & Tasty Hemp Recipe appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

This easy hemp recipe only takes 5 minutes to prepare. Our No Bake Hemp Energy Balls are both vegan and healthy!

We love hemp hearts, or hulled hemp seeds, for all their amazing hemp nutrition. This is a delicious, fun recipe you can throw together in minutes and have on hand whenever you get hungry.

No Bake Hemp Seed Energy Balls (Easy Hemp Recipe)

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Servings: Makes 10 energy balls

Ingredients

• 1 cup quick oats
• 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup shredded coconut
• 1/4 cup raw hemp hearts
• 1/4 cup maple syrup (or honey)
• 1/2 cup peanut butter

Preparation

• Stir ingredients together in a bowl until thoroughly mixed.
• Roll mixture into balls.
• Chill balls on tray in fridge for 10 – 20 minutes, or until serving.

The post Easy Hemp Recipe: No Bake Hemp Energy Balls appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

A new hemp starter kit gives families a chance to grow their own hemp at home.

We all know hemp is one of the most efficient and easiest plants to grow in the world. Yet, how many of us actually grow it ourselves?

Understandably, perception of hemp is still closely related to a psychoactive drug. While hemp is now legal, the plant isn’t very accessible. And there’s still the risk your neighbors think you’ve started a marijuana operation in your backyard.

That’s why the Back to the Roots Hemp Grow Kit can be an essential tool in spreading awareness. Not only does it supply you with everything you need to grow, but it also teaches you about the plant itself. So, if your nosey neighbors do ask questions, you’ll have the ability to explain to them what hemp truly is.

We talked with Nikhil Arora, co-founder and co-CEO of Back to the Roots, about his excitement in offering the public such a unique product.

The Roots Of A Company

Like many companies, Back to the Roots sees legalization as an opportunity to enter the hemp market. Their goal is to offer a product that teaches people how to grow hemp and why that matters. They want their hemp starter kit to teach the general public about the importance of this plant.

“My friend and co-founder, Alex and I started an urban mushroom farm out of college,” Arora told us.

“After a few years of growing fresh produce and talking to countless families at demos in stores, farmer’s markets, etc. we realized there was this bigger need and opportunity to not just offer fresh produce, but really reconnect people back to where food comes from — back to the land — Back to the Roots. And, over the next few years, we launched a line of gardening kits as an easy and fun way to inspire people to start growing.”

By developing a variety of kits — from little gardens that stick in your windowsill to hydroponic systems — Arora and his team found a way to get people talking. With many journalists and documentaries, such as “Food Inc.,” waking the public up to the dangers of big agriculture, a huge market was opened to more organic food sources.

People also grew more interested in harvesting their own foods.

“Our passion — our focus — is to educate & inspire a whole new generation about organic gardening & real food … to get them hands on and connected with where food comes from,” Arora said. “In that vein, just like we did with mushrooms, and aquaponics, and biochar, we’ve been diving deep into hemp and all its incredible benefits!”

Hemp’s Sprouting Interest

Back to the Roots efforts would be meaningless if there wasn’t an evergrowing interest in hemp. People are finally opening their eyes to the absurdity of keeping hemp illegal.

Of course, this isn’t anything new. Over the last decade, we’ve seen a tremendous change in the public’s interest when it comes to hemp and CBD. So has Arora:

“There’s been so much activity and movement surrounding hemp and CBD. Especially, these days. And still, there’s a misunderstanding — a lack of clarity — around what’s hemp, what’s CBD, how’s this plant different than its famous cousin. The more we learned, the more fascinated we were by it and thought there was an opportunity to educate our community as well about the amazing history and uses of hemp!”

With this motivation, Arora and his team developed the Back to the Roots Hemp Kit. The kit contains garden pots, organic soil, organic legal-standard hemp seeds, and a planting guide. There’s also a discovery booklet that walks people through the 10,000-year history of hemp.

“We currently have this crazy, fun grow lab with a bunch of varieties of plants growing and hemp just captivated our creativity, our passion, and our curiosity,” Arora said. “We fell in love with it — with the history, the plant itself, and just the fun of growing it.”

“And with the recent Farm Bill, we wanted our consumers to experience that too.”

Why Create A Home Hemp Starter Kit?

Admittedly hemp’s true effectiveness is primarily on an industrial level. Though there are plenty of at-home remedies for the plant, the majority of current growers are working under mass cultivations.

The main purpose of Back to the Root’s hemp starter kit is start a conversation. As Arora puts it:

“We talk a lot about the magic of growing. We find gardening can really bring out the kid in you and is a great way of bringing people together — there’s something so communal about it. I think, what better way to drive this [hemp] industry forward and do our small part in it by focusing on the home & educational aspect.”

Similarly to the way big agriculture made a lot of people want to grow their own food, the goal of Back to the Roots, as a company, is to teach people how to develop a successful garden. Though hemp isn’t (yet) a threat to big ag, the lack of understanding about it is the driving force for this hemp starter kit.

Most Ministry of Hemp readers already know about the public’s misconceptions and do their part to educate. Arora hopes the Back to the Roots Hemp Kit, “will be another way to engage and share their passion.”

“I’m really excited to help your community have the opportunity to grow hemp and make them all the more passionate about this incredible plant.”

Get 20% off a Back to the Roots Hemp Grow Kit with coupon code GROWHEMP20.

The post Hemp Starter Kit: Back To The Roots Promotes Home Hemp Growing Kit appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

With the rise of Starbucks in the ‘70s and the more recent rise of local 3rd wave coffee shops, cold brew coffee has become commonplace in millennial Instagram stories worldwide. Providing an easy-to-drink, smooth and crisp coffee beverage, it’s no surprise to see the cold brew become so popular.

While awesome on its own, a benefit that cold-brew carries from its hotter cousin is the innate ability to serve as a perfect canvas for other flavors, sugars, milks and syrups. This is where we insert the hemp seed oil part of this equation; a nutrient-dense oil that is easily integrated into all kinds of beverages, it can not only provide a nutritional boost but also tastes great.

While lots of people add coconut oil or even butter to coffee, we think hemp seed oil is a better choice. We’ve even seen at least one commercial hemp seed oil coffee on the market. However, our hemp oil cold brew is easy to make, and it’ll help you get through your stressful workday.

THE BENEFITS OF THE COFFEE BEAN

While coffee is good for improving athletic performance & liver health and even reduces the risk of diabetes, cold-brewed coffee brings with it a separate set of benefits. When the coffee grounds are steeped overnight (and sometimes even longer), the chemical composition of the drink changes. More specifically, the phytochemicals contained in coffee beans (which in turn contain antioxidants) stay preserved within the coffee. Normally these phytochemicals are burned away when exposed to high temperatures in the traditional preparation methods of coffee and in the roasting process, but when you use the cold-brew method paired with a light roast coffee bean, these antioxidants stay intact (for the most part).

Another benefit of cold brewed coffee is its lower caffeine content. Now, this may sound counter-intuitive to the ethos of coffee, but trust me, if you drink coffee for pleasure then cold brew is perfect for you. If you get easily wired from coffee, but you still crave the taste of coffee, try cold brew. With its lower caffeine content, you can drink cold brew multiple times throughout the day while mitigating those unwanted caffeine highs and lows.

With drastically different tasting notes than traditional coffee, cold brew is great at bringing out the individual tasting notes of the coffee bean, while also giving you a cool rush of flavor with every drink. Perfect as a canvas for other flavors or simply a refreshing coffee drink on a sweltering summer day.

WHY YOU SHOULD MAKE HEMP SEED OIL COFFEE

Hemp seed oil’s benefits are similar to hemp seeds. Pressed hemp seed oil has a myriad of health benefits such as anti-inflammatories, fatty acids, and Gamma-linoleic acid (GLA). Hemp seed oil also provides more valuable antioxidants.

The most important of this bunch is arguably the GLA contained in the oil. Not only does it reduce inflammation, but GLA is essential in regulating blood pressure, heart pressure and even obesity. In terms of macro-nutrients, hemp-seed oil gives you a nice nutrient boost while providing a source of good fats.

Plus, we just love the flavor of hemp seed oil coffee. We think you’ll love the way it brings out the earthy, nutty flavor of cold brew coffee.

MINISTRY OF HEMP’S HEMP OIL COLD BREW RECIPE

Prep time: 8-20 hours

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 8 ounces whole light roast coffee beans (pro tip: look for a roasting date on the package for freshness and overall quality, coffee makers who put roasting dates on their packaging are usually higher quality)
• 8 cups water
• 2-3 tea spoons hemp-seed oil
• ½ cup of hemp seeds
• Sweetener is optional. We love this coffee black.

Preparation

1. Use a coffee-grinder to grind the coffee (you’ll want to use a larger grind, meaning keep the coffee similar to the texture of raw sugar).
2. Combine the coffee-hemp seed mix with water into a large jar or pitcher. Mix in the hemp-seed oil at this point (this will allow the oil and coffee to mix while it steeps overnight).
3. Gently stir to incorporate it into the water. Five ‘stirs’ should be good.
4. Cover and place in the fridge overnight. Steeping the mixture for longer means a more potent concentrate.
5. Strain the coffee via cheesecloth or paper towel. DO NOT squeeze the coffee grounds as that will release bitter tasting notes (Paper filters not recommended as they tend to rip and make a huge mess).
6. Put into resealable container.
7. Drink and enjoy! This recipe creates a strong coffee concentrate that you can mix with water to taste, but 1:1 is a good starting point. You can add more hemp oil per serving of coffee if you want.

The post Hemp Seed Oil Coffee: How To Make Hemp Oil Cold Brew At Home appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

Much like our previous Ultimate Hemp Oatmeal recipe, hemp granola brings the same nutritional one-two punch of hemp hearts and oats together. Not only are they good for you, making them proves that you don’t need to spend hours of your valuable time to make an uber-healthy snack.

THE NUTRITIONAL POWER OF HEMP AND OATS

Oats, some of the healthiest grains available, provide health benefits like weight loss, lower blood sugar, and even reduce the risk of heart disease.

Extremely balanced and highly nutritious, oats are high in fiber and carbs, and are loaded with many important vitamins and minerals. A meager half-cup of oats contains 51 grams of carbohydrates, 13 grams of protein, 5 grams of fat, 8 grams of fiber, with only about 300 calories. This makes oats a super nutrient-dense food, providing you with a good ratio of nutrition to calories.

In addition, oats are rich in antioxidants, can lower cholesterol levels, and lowers blood sugar. To add on to all of that, oats are very satiating.

Hemp, of course, is high in plant-based protein, contain good fats, and are also nutrient-dense. One ounce of hemp seeds contains nine grams of protein, twelve grams of fat, and two grams of fiber. It also contains all twenty amino acids and all nine of the essential amino acids which our bodies do not produce naturally. Hemp is also extremely easy to incorporate into your diet through the use of hemp hearts (shelled hemp seeds) and hemp oil.

Once made, this recipe helps you save time as hemp granola can be refrigerated and stored. A large batch can last you up to 14 days. Not only does it save you time, but they provide a much healthier alternative to other snacks such as potato chips, ice-cream or the occasional fast-food run.

Keep in mind that this hemp granola recipe is highly customizable, and you can mix in different ingredients such as berries, other seeds, peanut butter etc. to meet your nutritional needs! Not only that, you can eat hemp granola by the handful, or with milk or yogurt.

MINISTRY OF HEMP’S ULTIMATE HEMP GRANOLA RECIPE

Prep time: 5 minutes

Tip: Our hemp granola recipe is gluten free, if you make sure to buy gluten free oats.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup + 1 honey or agave syrup
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 2-3 Tbsp hemp seeds
• 2 tsp ground flax seed
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp sea salt
• 3/4 – 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 Tbsp coconut flakes, unsweetened

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a small sauce pot, over medium heat, add the butter and peanut butter. Stir until softened. Turn heat to low. Then add in the honey (or agave). Stir for a minute, until well combined.
3. Add in the rolled oats, stir well to combine.
4. Add in the hemp seeds, salt, vanilla, cinnamon, flax seed, coconut flakes.
5. Turn off the heat. Stir well to combine. The mixture will feel very thick now.
6. Lay a sheet of aluminum down on a one-inch thick baking sheet. Pour the mixture onto one side of the sheet and flatten and spread with a spoon.
7. Load granola into the 350-degree oven and bake for 15 minutes. Edges will begin to brown when they are done.
8. Cool hemp granola at least ten minutes before serving. Store leftovers in the fridge.

The post Hemp Granola: A Recipe For The Lazy But Health-Conscious appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

Today we’re going to show you how to make DIY hemp milk at home.

Not only is it super fast and easy, but you can add ingredients to suit your personal taste preferences. Hemp seeds are packed with nutrition, but commercial hemp products are expensive. Homemade hemp milk is a more economical option to store bought hemp milk, and you know exactly what is in it. Let’s make some hemp milk!

DIY hemp milk recipe

Prep time: About 15 minutes

Served: Creates 2-3 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 cup hemp hearts (hulled hemp seeds)
• 3-4 cups of water (use less water for thicker, creamier milk!)
• Pinch of salt
• Optional ingredients: agave, pitted dates, maple syrup, or honey to sweeten. Use as little or as much as you want, based on how you want your hemp milk to taste.

Directions:

• 1. Put all ingredients into the blender and blend for 1-2 min.
• 2. If you prefer smoother milk, you can strain through a nut bag or cheesecloth, otherwise just stir or shake before serving.
• 3. Want flavored hemp milk? Try adding some cacao powder, vanilla, or a handful of your favorite berries!

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The ketogenic diet became a hit by flipping the popular notion of fat being detrimental to health on its head. So, how does hemp protein play into all of this?

Understanding the food that you eat and learning how it affects your body is important. Food directly affects your mood, energy levels, and most importantly, your health. Many modern health issues can be traced back to an incorrect food source and unhealthy eating habits. And with the emergence of processed foods, eating healthy has never been harder.

That’s why something like the keto diet has become so popular. Keto is an eating pattern that focuses on the omission of carbohydrates and the increased consumption of fats through oils and nuts. It’s a diet that questions our typical food source, and challenges us to try a different energy source for our bodies. Hemp is a perfect way to support this low-carb diet. Below are foods & recipes to incorporate more hemp into your diet, and get you those all-important fats while minimizing the caloric and carbohydrate cost.

Read more below on how hemp for keto is a match made in heaven.

HEMP FOR KETO: HEMP IS YOUR NEW FAVORITE SUPERFOOD

Hemp seeds are a great option to take advantage of hemp’s unique nutritional profile for your keto diet. The seeds have the same advantages as hemp oil, as the oil is derived from the pressing of the seeds.

Hemp seeds/oil are rich in Gamma-Linolenic acid (GLA) that help create prostaglandins, which are chemicals that help smooth muscles, control inflammation and body temperature. Foods that contain GLA help people with blood pressure, obesity, heart disease and more.

The Ketogenic diet requires a low-carbs, so all foods derived from grain are out of the question. Which means no bread or pasta. This is a problem because most meals use grains as filler. Hemp seeds are an easy fix to this problem. Aside from adding cauliflower and broccoli to your diet, you can use hemp for keto because hemp seeds are especially satiating due to their high fiber content.

Hemp is great in achieving heart health. A healthy heart requires less sugar, plant-based proteins, and good natural fats. Hemp seeds contain all these things. The regular consumption of hemp seeds, along with whole foods that are nutrient-dense and have good fats will make your heart very happy!

The best part about hemp is its nutritional profile. One ounce of hemp seeds contains nine grams of protein, twelve grams of fat, and two grams of fiber. It also contains all twenty amino acids and all nine of the essential amino acids that our bodies can’t produce.

Hemp is a superfood. Not only is it high in protein and natural fats, but it’s low in calories and carbohydrates. It can help you feel fuller and taste delicious, all while coming from a completely natural source.

HEMP RECIPES FOR THE KETO DIET

Hemp is not just a nutrient dense super-food, it can also be a tasty addition to your favorite recipes. A chewy and nutty tasting seed, it provides a great texture and taste to your dishes. Aside from the seed and oil additives, hemp is also made into milk and cheese substitutes. Listed below are some examples of delicious hemp for keto recipes!

• Morning Parfait

There’s nothing better than starting your day off with a delicious breakfast. This recipe is not only tasty, but extremely easy to make! Perfect for when you’re still half-asleep and just need a little something to get you kickstarted for the day. An awesome mix of chia, flax, and hemp seed (a trio you need to be using), paired with creamy yogurt, crunchy granola and fresh blueberries then topped off with all-natural agave syrup.

If you’re on the keto diet be sure to substitute the granola with avocado or more hemp seeds and use plain yogurt (not that fat-free stuff).

• Raw Tabouli Hemp Seed Salad

Almost everyone loves Mediterranean food, so this hemp seed tabouli recipe will hit the spot. Parsley is chock-full of folic acid, vitamins A & C, and antioxidants. The recipe calls for a heaping dose of hemp-seeds, and the dressing is a mixture of lemon juice, garlic, olive oil and salt.

Packed with 5 tablespoons of hemp seeds, or about 60 grams of fat, this is already a perfect hemp for keto recipe with no changes.

• CBD-Infused Blueberry and Oatmeal Smoothie

If you’re lazy like me, nutrient-dense smoothies are your go-to when you don’t feel like cooking. This recipe contains classic smoothie ingredients such as blueberry, bananas, and oatmeal. Then packs a nutrient-heavy punch with it’s hemp oil additive. Add another banana to thicken the smoothie which makes it more filling.

For Keto, I suggest replacing the water in the recipe with coconut milk or hemp milk and omitting granola.

For even more recipes, check out this list of recipes that highlight hemp use!

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