Hemp Seeds' Big Comeback: Rope, Rules and Rediscovery

Hemp has had one of the most unusual journeys of any crop. Once a cornerstone of farming and trade, it nearly disappeared for decades. Now it is back, and hemp seeds are showing up in kitchens and cafés.

An ancient, practical plant

Hemp is a variety of Cannabis sativa grown for its fibre and seeds. It is believed to be one of the earliest plants people turned into thread. For centuries, hemp fibre was used for rope, sails, cloth and paper, and many sailing fleets relied on it. Seeds were also used for food and oil in various regions.

Why it faded

In the twentieth century, hemp became tangled up with its drug-producing cousin. Both belong to the same species, but industrial hemp contains only very low levels of THC, the compound that causes intoxication. Even so, strict drug laws in many countries restricted or banned growing hemp altogether. Synthetic fibres and cheaper alternatives also took market share.

For a long time, farmers in those places simply could not plant it.

The comeback

Rules began relaxing in the late twentieth century. Canada introduced a licensing system for industrial hemp in 1998, and other countries followed with their own regulations. In the United States, a 2018 farm law removed hemp with very low THC from the federal list of controlled substances. Laws still vary by country and region, and farmers usually need to meet licensing and testing requirements.

As farming reopened, interest in hemp foods grew. Producers began selling hulled hemp seeds, often called hemp hearts, along with hemp oil and protein powder.

Using hemp seeds

Hemp hearts are soft, mild and slightly nutty. People sprinkle them on salads, porridge and yoghurt, blend them into smoothies and dressings, or use them in baking. They need no soaking. The oil is best used cold, in dressings or drizzled over finished food, rather than for high-heat cooking.

Store seeds and oil in a cool place, and the fridge once opened, as their oils can spoil.

Good to know

Food-grade hemp seeds are not meant to cause intoxication, but products can sometimes contain trace amounts of THC from the plant's resin. If you undergo workplace drug testing, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or take medication, ask your doctor or the test provider before using hemp products regularly. Laws also differ, so check the rules where you live.

If you are new to hemp, start with a teaspoon or two and see how you like the taste. Many people find the hearts easiest to use in a dressing, blended with lemon juice, a little mustard and olive oil. Others stir them into pancake batter or sprinkle them over avocado toast. Because the seeds are soft, they do not need grinding, which makes them one of the simplest seeds to add to everyday meals.

Hemp's comeback is a good example of how a crop can disappear from view and return when attitudes and regulations change, bringing a very old plant into modern kitchens.

This article is general information, not medical advice.