by
Paul
Benhaimthe government to promote cultivation of hemp. Today, hemp has
made an astonishing comeback to prove its many practical uses.
We can now produce limitless products from the hemp plant.
Snack bars, milk, bread, ice cream, fermented products and oil,
clothing, flying discs (and other plastics), car parts, horse bedding,
cosmetics, fuel, paper, paint and other products, are all available
now (see resource list).
‘It is common sense to take a method and try it, if it fails
admit it and try another, but above all try something.’ Franklin
Roosevelt
Research and development throughout the world into
particular cultivars suitable for specific end uses (speed
production, long fibre processing, short fibre processing etc.) has
only just begun to affect mainstream industries. Advances in
planting cycles, harvesting techniques, decortication (one for of
processing) and enzyme treatments shall ensure hemp has a
long-term future within the human race.
Here we are interested mainly in the food. Hemp seed and
its many by-products are some of the most nutritional super-foods
on this earth. Hemp’s nutritional analysis is outstanding, and its
practical use in some unusual and some traditional recipes is
explained in this book. Being high in protein, Essential Fatty Acids,
vitamins, minerals and enzymes, hemp seed is considered
invaluable as part of an optimum holistic diet. The seeds provide a
nutty flavor and in the recipe section you will discover how you can
produce milk, curd, yoghurt, oil, butter and other products to
provide a variety of textures.
Today we know that hemp seed is the only common edible
seed oil that contains Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA). It also
contains that ‘perfect balance’ of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)
required for our bodies. This allows hemp to be used as a long-
term food, unlike flax oil which, apart from not tasting too good,
can result in omega-6 deficiency after about two years. But before