Culinology - December 2017 - 8

E M E RGI NG trends

Manitoba Harvest
showcased new
packaging at Expo
East that highlights
the nutritional and
environmental benefits
of hemp, as well as the
seed's versatility.

HEMP heating up

Evo Hemp brand snack
bars and bites are made
with locally grown hemp.

Goodseed Burger offers
a range of vegan patties
made with sprouted
hemp seeds.

Hemp was featured in a broad range of product
innovation at this year's Natural Products
Expo East in Baltimore, from plant-based
burgers to non-dairy frozen desserts.
With a nutty taste, hemp seeds are
rich in protein, omega-3 and omega-6
fatty acids, with magnesium, fiber, iron,
zinc and phosphorous. Hemp has all
nine essential amino acids, twice as much
protein and 70% more iron than a 30-gram
serving of chia or flax seeds, according to
Canadian-based Manitoba Harvest Hemp
Foods.
Recently, the seed has emerged as a plantbased ingredient in nutrition bars, beverages
and cereal. It is becoming more recognized as
consumers increasingly pursue better nutrition and product transparency, said Anne
Thompson of Manitoba Harvest.
In 2016, US retail sales of hemp-based
foods grew to $129.3 million, according to
estimates from Vote Hemp, which noted
most hemp needed to supply the US
market is imported. And contrary to common misconception, eating hemp foods
will not create psychoactive effects or produce a false-positive drug test.
Industrial hemp remains subject to federal
drug laws in the US, where production is restricted due to a lack of legal distinction between industrial hemp and its cannabis cousin,
marijuana. Advocacy groups like Vote Hemp

Culinolog y | DECEMBER 2017

are pushing to change state and federal laws to
allow commercial hemp farming.
"I am a huge believer that this is the beginning of the tipping point for hemp foods," Ms.
Thompson said. "The innovation pipeline is so
rich and powerful." At Expo East, Manitoba
Harvest showcased new packaging for some of
its flagship products to highlight the nutritional
and environmental benefits of hemp, as well as
the seed's versatility.
Hemp seeds add 20 grams of plant-based
protein to each pint of Snow Monkey, which is
marketed as a "superfood ice treat" and available in Cacao and Goji Berry varieties. The Los
Angeles-based start-up describes hemp as
"the most complete plant-based protein that's
also earth-friendly."
Goodseed Burger, Austin, Texas, offers a
range of vegan patties made from sprouted
hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds,
chia, millet, lentils, brown rice and vegetables.
Varieties include Curried Sweet Potato, Wild
Mushroom and Cauliflower, All American and
Spicy Italian.
In Boulder, Colo., Hemp Health LLC produces the Evo Hemp brand of snack bars and
bites with locally grown hemp and advocates
for US hemp farming. Their lineup includes
Hemp Crunch clusters, made with hemp and
chia seeds in barbecue, cinnamon and garlic
herb flavors. Each serving contains 10 grams of
protein and 2.5 grams of omega-3 fatty acids. *

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Culinology - December 2017