What are deshelled hemp seeds good for? Hemp seeds can be used in many ways. You can eat them raw, boiled or roasted and enjoy the delicacy on their own. They are also the main ingredient in tasty hemp seed spreads and are used in baked goods.
Step 1 Set Up Your Deshelling Station.
If you’ve ever opened up a bag of hemp seeds, you know that they’re hard as rocks.
Luckily, it’s not too difficult to remove the shells from hemp seeds. This is especially helpful if you want to use them in recipes without having to buy pre-shelled ones.
- Set up your deshelling station.
You need three bowls: one for the shells, one for the shelled seeds, and one for any hulls that break off during this process.
- Heat up some water in a pot on the stove until it comes to a boil, then add about 2 tablespoons of salt (or more if you like). Do not stir! Let it sit until it starts boiling again and then turn off the heat.
- Put all of your hemp seeds into the first bowl (the one with no water) and stir them around gently so that they’re all touching each other – this will allow them to heat up evenly. Then pour them into the second bowl (with water) and let them soak for 5-10 minutes (until soft). You can also add a spoonful of vinegar if you want – this helps with removing the hulls from each seed but isn’t essential.
Step 2 Break the Hemp Seed into Pieces.
Break the hemp seeds by hand, in a food processor or blender until they become powdery and release their oils.
- Place the broken hemp seeds in a bowl.
- Add water to the bowl if you want to make your own milk or juice with them.
- Let the hemp seeds soak for at least 12 hours, but up to 24 hours if possible. You can also leave them overnight and strain them before using them in your recipe. The longer they soak, the softer they will become and more flavorful as well!
- There are several ways to deshell hemp seeds. The easiest way is to place them in a strainer and rub them with your fingers. This method works best if you have just a small number of seeds.
- Another option is to place the seeds in a bowl and cover them with water. Let them soak for 10 minutes, then rinse them and rub them between your fingers. This method works best if you have a lot of seeds, since it can be time-consuming if you do it by hand.
- A third option is to use an electric coffee grinder or blender to deshell the hemp seeds. This will take about 30 seconds per cup of seeds, but it works well for larger batches of hemp seeds that you’ve shelled yourself or bought already shelled from the store.
Step 3 Remove the Inner Shell.
Hemp seeds, like most nuts and seeds, have a hard outer shell that must be removed before eating. This can be done by simply cracking open the seed with a nutcracker or hammer and removing it with your fingers.
While you’re at it, take a look at your hemp seeds – do they have little white spots on them? That’s ok! Hemp seeds are naturally dusty, and those little white spots will wash off in the next step (see below).
- Rinse the hemp seeds
- Dry them
- Remove the inner shell
- Dehydrate if desired
Step 4 Rinse and Dry the Hemp Seeds.
Rinse the seeds with fresh water to remove any residual powder from the hulling process. Drain well.
Rinse the hemp seeds well in a colander or strainer. Place them on a towel and gently pat them dry.
Hemp seeds will stay fresh for up to one year when stored in an airtight container at room temperature, according to Hemp Health Inc. However, they will last longer if you refrigerate them or freeze them. Spread the seeds on paper towels or a clean kitchen towel and allow them to dry thoroughly before storing in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. The seeds will keep for up to one year if stored properly.
Step 5: Store the Hulled Seeds In Airtight Containers In Your Refrigerator.
You can store hulled hemp seeds in the refrigerator for up to 6 months. You should store them in an airtight container and make sure that the container is sealed tightly.
Hemp seeds are high in protein, so they’re great for vegetarians and vegans who want to add more protein to their diet. They’re also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential nutrients that help promote heart health and reduce inflammation throughout the body.
Hemp seeds are a good source of vitamin E and magnesium, both of which protect against oxidative stress in the body and reduce overall inflammation. The fatty acids in hemp seeds have been shown to help lower cholesterol levels and improve blood pressure levels as well.
Conclusion
You can add hemp seeds to any smoothie or fruit shake. You can also use the deshelled hemp seeds in bread, cookies, and cakes. Since hemp seeds have a nutty flavor, you will be surprised how delicious they taste when added to anything.
