How to Cook Hemp Seeds

Hemp is a cannabis plant famed for its beneficial properties. It contains minimal amounts of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a compound that causes a high sensation. The stalk is a source of fiber used in making textiles, construction materials, and paper, among others. The leaves and flowers are rich sources of Cannabidiol (CBD) oil.

The active ingredient of the oil is CBD, which has numerous benefits to the body. It relieves pains, anxiety, and depression. Besides, a lot of research is ongoing as the compound indicating more potential benefits. The seeds from the hemp plant also have high nutritional value in addition to therapeutic properties.

They contain a high amount of linoleic and alpha-linoleic acids. Hemp seeds strengthen the immune system and protect the cardiovascular system, a property that attributes to their balance concentrations of the two acids. To reap the benefits of the hemp seeds, you need to know how to prepare them. Below are instructions on how to cook hemp seeds.

Cooking the Hemp Seeds

Requirements

• Strainer
• Bowl
• Boiling pot
• Cooking salt
• Hemp seeds

Instructions

1. Wash and rinse the hemp seeds in a strainer.
2. Then, soak the hemp seeds in a bowl or pot with 3-4 times the water and ensure you cover them. This helps to split the hard shell. Besides, soaking allows any silt to settle at the bottom.
3. You should then pour the water and hemp seeds into the pot. Do it slowly and ensure you stop before the silt starts to pour in. For every 16 ounces of the hemp seeds, you should add a single teaspoon of cooking salt. Allow the water to boil.
4. Simmer the seeds by reducing the heat and cook them for 20-30 minutes.
5. After that, strain any remaining water.
6. Then, allow the hemp seeds to cool and dry by spreading them on a towel.
7. You can store the hemp seeds in the refrigerator.
8. They do not require pre-cooking before consumption.

How to Remove Shells

The fibrous outer shells of the hemp seeds may make them difficult to consume. You can hull the hemp seeds after cooking and make them easier to eat.

Requirements

• Mallet
• Board
• A bucket with clean water
• Strainer

Instructions

1. Spread a single layer of the seeds on a table.
2. Then, place a board over the seeds and tap it with a mallet. You should hit all round and within the board to rupture all the seeds. However, you should avoid crushing the seeds.
3. Next, put the hemp seeds in a container with water and stir them thoroughly so that they sink as the shells float.
4. Remove all the empty hulls. For the few seeds which have their shells still, crack them using the mallet. Stir them again in the water until they separate from the shell.
5. Lastly, use a strainer to sieve the water and collect the hulled hemp seeds.

Other than cooking through boiling, you can toast the hemp seeds in a dry pan and sprinkle them over your salad. They have a nutty flavor and crunches after toasting. Besides, you can also bake using hemp seed flour, which results from the pulp residue after oil extraction from the seeds.