Hemp Seed

Hemp meat refers to the fleshy part of the hempseed. Also known as hemp hearts, it is a good source of food and organic raw materials. Hemp seed, and consequently hemp meat, is one of the earliest products derived from the crop. Most, if not all, farming and processing facilities often include extraction and storage of hemp seed and hemp meat.

Food

Whole hemp seeds are harvested and cleaned thoroughly to prepare for processing and manufacturing. After some period of drying, the shells are removed through the dehulling process. The hemp meat is typically tough enough not to sustain damage during its separation from the shells.

Hemp seeds are then dried again and packaged as superfoods. It is often used as a meat and vegetable substitute due to its high protein and fiber content. Restaurants and other food establishments also use hemp seeds in desserts, granola toppings, and even as an ingredient to salads.

Milk

A relatively new hemp food product is hemp milk. People with lactose intolerance have used different milk substitutes coming from different sources such as soy, almond, and even rice. Hemp seeds that are soaked and ground in water produce a rich dairy substitute. It can be categorized as organic.

Hemp milk can be used wherever animal dairy is used. It comes in raw flavor which is typically used for cooking and baking. It can be sweetened using vanilla extract or other sweeteners.

Flour

High-quality hemp seeds also produce flour which can be used in baking and cooking. After mechanically cleaning and drying the seeds at a maximum temperature of 40 degrees Celsius, it becomes a viable flour raw material. At this point, oil is also separate from both the hemp meat and hemp shell. Hemp seed will go through a mechanical grinding method while maintaining the heat during the process.

Hemp flour is dense, so it does not rise on its own. However, when combined with other flour, it introduces a rich, nutty flavor to the baked products. It is also gluten-free which makes it suitable for those with celiac disease.

Hemp Oil

Hemp oil is one of the most popular hemp products these days. It is extracted from hemp seed which is different from hash oil which comes from the Cannabis flower. Unrefined hemp oil is a popular raw material for a large number of personal and food products. Its natural form needs very little artificial additives which makes it an integral ingredient of organic products.

Personal Care Products

Hemp seed is thoroughly cleaned up to 99.99% to extract the purest and cleanest oil. The resulting edible oil after cold pressing contains about 80% essential fatty acids, omega-6, omega-3, and linoleic acid. These minerals make hemp oil appropriate for personal care products such as skin care and cosmetics.

Normally, animal fats are used to provide mineral-rich additives to personal care products. Hemp oil provides a suitable alternative for topical applications. Its moisturizing quality makes it one of the active ingredients in soap, shampoo, conditioners, facial wash, hair products, lotions, creams, deodorants, and lipstick.

Food

Naturally, the mineral-rich hemp oil is a popular alternative to palm oil in cooking. Omega-3 and omega-6 make it a popular healthy option. It is low in saturated fat compared to other culinary oils. Along with hemp seed, it is considered a superfood.

Organic, cold-pressed, and unrefined hemp oil fits raw foods. It is added to salad dressings and vinaigrettes. Products such as mayonnaise, pesto, and other dressing may contain hemp oil without changes in taste or texture. Alternatively, it can also be used on its own in its unrefined and refined form.

Hemp Fibre and Hurds

Hemp fiber is one of the earliest raw materials extracted from the plant. Long before modern fiber extraction methods, traditional fiber processing has been perfected by farmers in different parts of the world. Typically, hemp fiber and tow are extracted from the stalk of the hemp plant which is essential in textile manufacturing. Modern uses of the fiber and tow further stretch the benefits of the plant.

Hemp hurds, also known as hemp wood or shives, are the woody inner portion of the hemp stalk. It is typically broken into pieces during processing. Normally, it is separated from the fiber. This byproduct of the fiber production is also a valuable raw material for various hemp products.

Paper

Hemp paper is typically used for specialty paper for cigarettes, insulation, filters, art, security applications, and bank notes. While hemp pulp is superior to the one used in the market, most manufacturers are not yet fully equipped to produce hemp paper full time. Paper is produced by “cooking” the raw fibers using chemical treatment with alkali.

Hurds and fibers derived from the retting will go through several mechanical and chemical processes in order to make it a viable raw material for paper. Different combination of hurds, fiber, and pulp along with various chemical treatments will produce varying qualities of paper. As such, paper production depends on the existing demands for these specialty paper.

Construction

One of the modern innovations in construction is the use of hemp. The woody inner core is a good source of concrete ingredient (Hempcrete). The fibrous outer skin is typically used for insulation and paper. Even hemp seed oil can be used as wood finish and deck stain.

Hemp shiv or hurd is mixed with a binder which is usually lime-based. The resulting rigid material can be used to cast into walls or even in structural supports. “Batt” insulations from hemp can also be a direct substitute for fiberglass and other insulation materials. And hemp oil exhibits durable and long lasting coating, especially in wood. The low toxicity of hemp makes it a viable option for modern construction materials.

Plastic

Hemp contains about 65% to 70% cellulose which makes it a good source of raw materials for plastic. This non-petroleum source can be used to make celluloid, rayon, and cellophane which are in demand in the market. The technology is nothing new as Henry Ford was known to have designed and built a car which was almost entirely made of hemp plastic.

Powderized hemp fibers go through chemical processes which binds it to different elements to make biocomposites. Alkaline and sodium hydroxide are some of the common chemicals added. The biocomposite can be used in plastic bottles, car panels, biodegradable plastic consumer products, furniture, and construction materials.

Final Thoughts

Hemp is one of the most flexible crops. Current research is pushing for more uses of hemp which consequently coincides with environmental efforts. Legislation is slow to catch up with the current innovations. However, the more manufacturers consider hemp in their products, the easier it is to educate policymakers about hemp.

Sources

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