- Author Bulk Hemp Warehouse
- Categories: Hemp Foods, Hemp Seeds, Hemp Uses
Top 5 Uses for Whole Hemp Seed Grains
Introduction to Hemp Grain Seeds
Whole Hemp Seeds are one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet, and have many diverse uses. They taste pretty nutty and delicious depending too – on your pallet and the way the seeds are being eaten.
As you noticed in the title of this article we are going to focus on the Top 5 Uses for Whole Hemp Seeds, also known as hemp grains (or hemp grain seeds).
We will discuss the amazing nutritional benefits, as well as the most popular and some uncommonly known uses for these highly nourishing seeds – and some non-food applications as well!
You’ll also find a section on this post for common questions asked about whole hemp grain seeds.
Keep in mind the distinction between whole hemp grain seeds vs dehulled hemp seeds. Dehulled hemp seeds are also known as hulled hemp seeds or hemp hearts.
This version of the hemp seed has had the shell removed – which has its advantages and disadvantages, which you’ll learn more about below.
So let’s dive right in, and see what these live-giving superseeds are all about and how they can hempower your life!
Whole Hemp Seed Grain Characteristics
What do whole hemp seeds look, smell, feel and taste like?
Whole hemp grain seeds are, nutty slightly grassy, crunchy little things. In this section we will go into their physical characteristics, in case you haven’t seen em, or need to know how to explain it to someone else 🌱.
What do Whole Hemp Grain Seeds look like?
The hemp seed pods are like the womb for the hemp seeds to develop within. This is the beginning stage of how hemp seeds are formed. Once the seed mature and are ready for harvest, they will be shaken or removed from the pods during harvest.
In terms of the size of hemp grain seeds: they are about two to three times the size of a chia seed or a flax seed. They are about half to a quarter the size of a corn kernel.
Now there’s the rare variety of hemp seeds that can be as large as a small green pea, but we’ve only seen this type of hemp seeds come out of China.
Not to say that they are bad in way, but they do seem to be an anomaly.
Most hemp seeds have a very similar look in terms of their color profile: dark to light green speckled with tannish-brown veiny-like patterns.
The outside shell of the hemp seeds, although edible, are a bit crispy and pops in your mouth when you bite down on them.
The inner meat of the hemp seed is a whitish-yellow and is where the majority of the nutrition is found, at least in terms of the essential fatty acid and protein content.
The shells do have a sort of bitter flavor, probably from the slight amount of chlorophyll and mineral content.
What is the Flavor Profile of Whole Hemp Grain Seeds?
Imagine a sort of nutty, yet grassy flavor, similar to a sunflower seed and a chia seed combined. Most people love the taste of hemp seeds, and they go great on many different dishes, or straight out of the bag.
You may want to just get the nutritional benefits of the hemp seeds and care not to much for the flavor, and in that case following some of the recipes below is a great idea for incorporating them into your meals.
Whole Hemp Seed Grain Benefits
What are the Nutritional Benefits of Whole Hemp Seeds?
To get the most nutritional value from hemp seeds it’s ideal to consume them raw, untreated and unheated.
Although you will see later in this article that you can toast, roast or even boil whole hemp seeds for a unique flavor and experience.
There are many articles about the amazing nutritional benefits of hemp seeds, both whole raw hemp seeds, as well as hulled hemp seed hearts, so we won’t go into detail here.
But just know that hemp seeds are one of the most complete and perfect foods on the planet. They contain 10 essential amino acids (proteins) and the important essential fatty acids 3, 6 & 9.
One cool thing about hemp seeds is that they contain the amino acids histidine and arginine which are said to be beneficial for the youth, as they tend to run low on those two amino acids.
Another great amino acid within hemp seeds is edistine, which is incidental is where the word edible comes from.
Some studies have shown that when consuming foods that contain edistine, it allows for “better digestion,” hence when you eat hemp seeds, it makes other things more digestible.
Here are a few great statistics on the nutritional benefits of hemp seeds:
- Hemp seeds have long been prized as a high-quality source of plant-based protein and omega fatty acids.
A single serving of hemp seeds, about two heaping tablespoons, provides 10 grams of protein and 10 grams of omegas. Hemp also packs in all nine essential amino acids, which we need to get through diet since our bodies don’t produce them naturally.
Hemp seed oil, which is the oil derived from pressed hemp seeds, contains the most essential fatty acids of any nut or seed oil. Of the three main hemp products on the market—seeds, oil, and protein powder—hemp seeds will provide the broadest spectrum of nutritional benefits per serving. – www.bonappetit.com
- Whole hemp seeds are a good source of both soluble and insoluble fiber, containing 20% and 80%, respectively (1). – www.healthline.com
Here’s what don’t waste the Crumbs has to say about the additional nutritional benefits of whole hemp seeds are:
The nutritional profile is bigger than protein though. Hemp seeds also contain magnesium, phytosterols (plant-based, similar to cholesterol, but shown to help reduce cholesterol in humans), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), beta-carotene (half of vitamin A that provides the orange color in carrots and pumpkins), calcium, fiber, iron, potassium, phosphorus, riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3) and thiamine (vitamin B1).
How do Whole Hemp Seeds Compare to Other Seeds?
As mentioned above hemp is nearly a perfect food, with not just the essential fatty acids and top 10 essential amino acids, but it also has good insoluble and soluble fiber along with minerals, trace minerals and ultra trace minerals, as well as other phytonutrients.- “That is considerably more than similar foods like chia seeds and flaxseeds, whose calories are 16–18% protein.” – www.healthline.com
Uses for Whole Hemp Seeds & Recipes for Humans
For the first “hemp grain seed uses” we are going to share with you, the top whole hemp seed recipes for human consumption. And then we will get into recipes and uses for pets and animals next.
So now that you know whole hemp seeds are a nutty, nutrient-dense superfood, let’s get into the different recipes you could use them in.
Can You Eat Whole Hemp Seeds Raw?
Just know that you can eat hemp seeds by the handful.
They have a nice popping sensation when you crunch down on them and they taste pretty good! Although since they are whole seeds with the shell intact, the shells can kind of get stuck in your teeth which isn’t so pleasant
Just rinse with some water if you need to. 😉
There are several companies that make a toasted whole hemp seed, lightly salted, which is also pretty yummy. You can also sometimes find them flavored with herbs or spices or blended in with other nut and seed mixes.
So now onto the different recipes that call for whole hemp seed grains.
Remember this article is only about the uses for whole hemp seeds and not the dehulled hemp seeds which have similar applications but are a little more versatile than the whole hemp seeds.
What are the most common uses for whole hemp seeds & best recipes?
Here’s a quick overview of the types of recipes for humans that call for whole hemp seed grain:
- Used as a Garnish
- Used in Smoothies & Milk Alternatives
- Used in Salad Dressings
- Used in Granola & Cereal Type Mixes
- Used in Baked Goods
I’m sure there are other types of uses but these are the most common. So let’s expand a bit more for each of these main uses:
How are Whole Hemp Seeds Used as a Garnish?
When using hemp grain seeds as a garnish you can top your cereals, salads, soups, smoothies and even desserts to add a little crunch and extra nutrition.
Remember though, you may need some water to swish out any of those shell fragments from your teeth after smashing down on them.
Added to Soups and Stews
A few hemp seeds can be added to any soup or stew, whether cooked from scratch or shop-bought, to improve the healthy nutrient profile.
And here’s a great soup recipe that you will surely enjoy:
Brighten up your lunch with our bright-green vegan pea, mint and hemp soup.
How are Hemp Grain Seeds Used in Smoothies & Nut Milks?
Although the typical hemp milk products are made from raw dehulled hemp seeds you can certainly use the whole raw hemp seeds as your base.
Here is a great recipe for making hemp milk from whole hemp seeds, that you can use for cereals, as a base in many other recipes, or to drink a nice cold glass as is.
How are Hemp Grain Seeds Used in Desserts & Treats?
If you like sweets, hemp can add some crunchy healthiness to your experience.
For example it could be used to top of your ice creams, or in a powerball nugget of sorts. If you make hemp seed milk, that could actually be turned into hemp ice cream as well!
Here’s a another sweet recipe (pun intended) for a hemp pudding dessert.
How are Whole Hemp Seeds Used in Baking?
If you like your bagels, breads, muffins and even pastas, it’s time to make them hempy.
To give you a few great recipes on hemp baked goods check these out!
There are literally tons of hemp baked goods on the market, but making your own food at home is always a special treat. So I hope you get some great use out of these hemp seed recipes above!
Whole Hemp Seeds for Pets & Animals
When it comes to our furry, feathery and scaly friends, whole hemp seeds are a known powerhouse of nutrition – and they actually like them!
There may be a lot of skepticism or doubts about feeding hemp grain seeds to your pets and animals, due to the stigma and misinformation about hemp containing the psychotropic cannabinoid THC.
However, you know by now that that is never going to be an issue, as the amount of THC in any hemp product is going to be .03% or less – which is so low that it’s essentially negligible.
It’s like equating eating a poppy seed to getting high on heroin. It just won’t’ happen.
That’s exactly why the US Government, along with more than 30 other industrialized nations have legalized industrial hemp for food and fiber products.
The animal that is fed hemp seeds the most throughout history is likely going to be birds.
As long as I’ve been in the hemp industry, which is over 17 years when writing this, I’ve heard of people feeding hemp seeds to their pet birds and even putting them out for wild birds over the years.
And I’ve heard stories of feral hemp growing in ditches which supply the local fauna with some crunchy yumminess as well!
We have several customers that feed hemp seeds to their chickens, and they just swear by it. They say how happy the chickens are, and how strong and healthy their eggs are as a result.
Up until recently, however, people were only able to get sterilized or toasted seeds…imported from Canada or Europe, but times they are a changin’.
Now that industrial hemp is legal in all 50 states, our pets just like us, can benefit from locally grown and processed whole hemp seeds.
So if you throw in some whole raw hemp seeds into your pets bowl for dinner tonight – it’s worth seeing how they might like them.
Hemp Seeds as a Grain Feed for Livestock and Farm Animals
Unfortunately, at this time hemp seeds have not received a certified status as a grain feed.
This means that if ranchers or farmers want to experiment on there own they certainly can, however no company can actually sell hemp grain seeds as a grain feed at this time.
To learn more about hemp as a feedstock and keep up with the changes you can learn from the Hemp Feed Coalition Here.
Whole Hemp Seeds for Non Food Uses
You might wonder how whole hemp seeds could be used for applications other than food. That’s exactly what you’ll find out in this section.
Hemp Seeds as an Alternative to Buckwheat Hulls or Plastic Pellets
One of the most popular uses would be for older or expired seeds that shouldn’t be consumed as food for stuffing meditation cushions or pillows.
They are a great alternative to buckwheat hulls or any synthetic product used to stuff cushions.
In fact, even more popular than the whole hemp seeds, is simply using just the hemp hulls (shells) which are a by-product from dehulling the whole hemp seeds.
Hemp Seeds for Topical Beauty and Skincare Products
Another not so common non-food use for hemp seeds is in skincare products as an exfoliant.
But once again, the seeds are typically crushed up and made into smaller pieces so as to give them more exfoliating properties.
The essential fatty acids combined with the rough shell (after it’s crushed up) is a wonderful combination for this application.
Hemp Grain Seeds to Bait Fish? Really…
So although there may only be a handful of folks doing this, we have had customer report back to use that they have been using the hemp seeds, and they are working better than any other bait.
This man owns a bait and fishing shop by the way…
How he does this, you might ask? I’m not sure, but we can get more details for you if you reach out to us and ask.
We’ve researched pretty heavily and after 17 years + experience in the hemp industry we can’t seem to find any other non-food related applications for whole hemp seeds,
So if you can think of any others – we’d love to hear from you!
The Most Common Questions About Whole Hemp Seeds
How do you cook whole hemp seeds?
As mentioned in the beginning of this article you can simply eat whole hemp seeds in the raw form, or you can lightly toast or roast them to make them a little nuttier in flavor, and lightly salt to your preference.
And if you haven’t read through this entire article it’s all about how to use whole hemp seed grain in different recipes.
How much hemp seeds should you eat a day?
It obviously depends on your size and lifestyle, your age, weight and health goals etc…
So please consult with a nutritionist or talk to your doctor about what might be right for you, if you aren’t tapped into that kinda thing on your own.
However, the average daily recommendations are anywhere from:
- For Adults: 1 tsp – 1 Cup
- For Children: 1 tsp – 3 tbls
Like with any new food or herb, it’s good to start out slow, and see how your body responds, and slowly build up your intake, if that’s your goal.
Can you eat raw whole hemp seeds?
Yes. It’s important however that you’re consuming whole hemp seeds, that are free of herbicides and pesticides, just like any seeds you consume, in our opinion.
Almost all hemp farmers are growing their hemp organically even if it’s not certified organic, but it’s always great to ask the company you are getting your hemp seeds from.
Whether you’re consuming the raw, untreated, or roasted n toasted, it’s good to make sure they are food grade, edible seeds and have been handled in a food grade facility or in a clean environment.
How do you use whole hemp seed in food?
There are literally tons of hemp seed recipes online, YouTube etc… and the Bulk Hemp Warehouse team consumes hemp foods on a daily basis… but we’ve collected a few fabulous whole hemp seed recipes for you here.
- Hemp Seed Herb Dressing
- Hemp Seed Granola Recipe
- Homemade Hemp Milk
- 15 More Ideas on How to Eat Hemp Seeds
What are the Doses of Whole Hemp Seeds for Dogs?
Since these guys are pet experts, we figured they would know what’s going with how much hemp to feed your furry friend.
“Add hemp seeds, hemp oil, and other oils to your dog’s food at mealtime. Start at ½ dose to see how your dog tolerates the hemp seed oil. ¼ dose if he gets a sensitive stomach easily.
If you are feeding the hemp hearts or whole hemp seeds, I would grind it prior to feeding for better digestion. Hemp seed oil needs to be refrigerated.”
- Under 20 lbs. ¼ tsp
- Under 40 lbs. ½ tsp
- Over 50 lbs. 1 tsp
Courtesy of raisingyourpetsnaturally.com
What is the difference between whole hemp seeds and hulled hemp seeds?
It’s quite simple. Whole Hemp Seeds (Hemp Grain) is a fully raw, viable seed with the shell intact. Hulled hemp seeds are simple the inner heart of the seed, where the shell has been removed.
Where can I buy Whole Hemp Seed Grain?
You can find whole raw hemp seeds at most health food stores… however, many companies are only offering roasted, toasted or sterilized hemp seeds. So for the most nutrition and for great prices, you can check out our whole raw hemp seeds on Bulk Hemp Warehouse store here.
Whole Hemp Seeds in a Hemp Nutshell
Now that you’ve had a full rundown on the uses, benefits, and history of whole hemp seed grains, you can feel more confident in your hemp educational endeavors.
One of the best things about whole hemp seeds is that they are NOW legal in the USA to consume and eat.
It’s quite ludicrous how long they were illegal for, knowing the phenomenal benefits and uses they offer.
We are so thankful to all the new businesses and even seasoned ones coming to use and love hemp seeds for their product lines. And seeing families being able to benefit from the world’s #1 superfood warms our hearts.
It’s also a great feeling to know that we are supporting USA Hemp Farmers, and keeping our purchases as local as possible. Being sustainable and earth-friendly is a massive part of our mission, and we know it is for you too!
If you have any questions about whole hemp seeds, or any hemp food or non food hemp products we are hempy to be of service!
And if you’re ready to get yourself some of these crunchy delicious super seeds you can order the 45lb bag of the whole hemp seed grain here.
OTHER EDUCATIONAL HEMP POSTS
Explore Other Posts by Bulk Hemp Warehouse
10 Ways to Use Hemp for the Holidays
The holiday season is a time for creativity, warmth, and celebration. Hemp, with its versatility and sustainable nature, offers endless opportunities to make your holiday festivities more eco-friendly and unique. Whether you’re looking for gift ideas, decorations, or a way
Hemp Toilet Paper: An Ultimate Guide
I’m certain that you’ve been thinking to yourself lately, why isn’t anyone selling hemp toilet paper? Have you ever thought about how toilet paper affects our planet, and all the trees being cut down? Hemp toilet paper could change the
The Nutritional Promise of Hemp Microgreens with LSU
Imagine stepping into a vibrant farmer’s market, where the air is rich with the smell of fresh greens. Amongst the array of colorful vegetables, you spot trays of delicate microgreens. What if I told you that one of these tiny
