Legal hemp, a treat for body and mind
For a little over two years, legal hemp has established itself in France as a health and well-being product for millions of consumers. According to figures from the Hemp Trades Interprofession, relayed by the media LSA Conso, France has nearly 7 million regular or occasional consumers of products containing CBD, a molecule found naturally in the hemp plant.
Several factors explain this craze for hemp and CBD. First, there are the benefits and virtues of hemp, a plant rich in cannabinoids (CBD, CBC, CBN, CBG) which provide soothing, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Then there is the action of hemp on the sleep cycle, in particular by promoting rapid sleep and fighting against insomnia. CBD and other cannabinoids from the hemp plant also have benefits for the immune system by strengthening the natural defenses and restoring energy to organisms tested by cold and stress.
There is also the "sulphurous" side of the hemp plant: many curious consumers choose CBD products to test hemp without suffering the psychotropic effect and without risk of addiction. Finally, let's mention the great availability of the hemp plant in France. Indeed, France is the 4th hemp-producing country in the world!
To take advantage of the many benefits of CBD and hemp, the French are spoiled for choice:
- Products to consume, such as CBD oil, hemp flour, CBD edibles, hemp tea, legal cannabis resin, hemp chocolate, etc.
- Products for topical use, such as creams, CBD massage oils, hemp seed balms, serums, hemp oil gels, etc.
Why consume hemp flour?
As its name suggests, it is a flour obtained from the hemp plant, in particular of the variety Cannabis L. Sativa. Its use has a number of benefits:
- Because it is a 100% vegetable product, hemp flour is ideal for people on a diet vegetarian or vegan;
- Hemp flour is packed with plant-based protein. Products made from this flour are therefore an excellent source of protein, especially for vegetarians who may suffer from deficiencies at this level. By way of comparison, hemp flour has a protein rate of 45% (against 25% in the whole seed), which is much more than eggs (10% protein) and meat products (15 to 18%). . Hemp flour is therefore a great way to reduce your meat consumption while filling up on protein;
- Hemp flour is rich in dietary fiber, polysaccharides with multiple benefits. In addition to promoting good intestinal transit, fiber contributes to the prevention of many pathologies such as colon cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases;
- Gluten-free, hemp flour is a natural alternative to refined flours that can cause allergies or food intolerance;
- Hemp flour contains the 8 so-called "essential" amino acids, which our body cannot synthesize without dietary intake. These amino acids participate in the regeneration of muscles, tendons, glands, nails and hair while preventing certain diseases;
- Hemp flour is full of omega 3 and omega 6. Indeed, 100 grams of hemp flour from from organic farming bring you the recommended daily doses of omega 3 and 6.
Of course, the consumption of hemp flour products does not cause psychotropic effects and does not present a risk of addiction. Indeed, the hemp flours found on the market have been produced from hemp seeds without THC, the molecule responsible for the psychotropic effect of cannabis.
How is hemp flour produced?
Hemp flour is obtained by a process of cold pressing the whole seeds of the hemp plant. Pressing produces two things:
- Hemp oil;
- Hemp meal, consisting of hemp kernels (with their shell) and an oil residue.< /li>
It is this cake that will be processed to obtain good hemp flour. Concretely, it will be a question of drying, grinding and then sifting the shelled almonds to obtain a hemp food flour.
What are the applications of hemp flour?
Hemp flour has largely found its place in the kitchen, and catering professionals compete in ingenuity with recipes that are both succulent and nutritious. Pizzas, salads, burgers, pasta, rice and even foie gras with CBD delight guests all over France, especially in trendy restaurants.
In cooking, we mainly use hemp flour, but also shelled seeds, CBD oil and whole seeds. In addition to the nutrient profile of these quality ingredients (protein, fiber, vitamins, omega 3 and 6, gluten-free), they also shine with a raw taste and organic flavor that appeals in the kitchen.
Hemp flour is not suitable for breadmaking (because it is gluten-free). It therefore produces bread with a compact and heavy crumb. This is why it is usually mixed with wheat flour to obtain a bread with a tender crumb and an authentic taste, with woody notes and the characteristic flavor of the hemp plant. Hemp flour can be used in many recipes:
- Knäckebröd;
- Sandstones;
- Savory pancakes;
- Ice cream, by mixing hemp flour with liquid cream and egg yolks;
- Milkshake, smoothie, or yogurt;
- Olive cakes;
- Quiche and Provencal savory tart with tomato and olive, etc.
With their crunch and nutty taste, shelled hemp seeds can be incorporated into a mix of quality ingredients in a homemade muesli. They can also be added to rice for a maki recipe.
Is hemp flour legal in France?
Like all hemp and CBD products, hemp flour is governed by European decree n°639 – 2014. Only hemp products without THC (less than 0.2%) can be marketed in France.
The hemp flours that we offer are 100% compliant with the regulations in force in France, and have no psychotropic effects or risk of addiction.
