Hemp seeds (also often known as hemp hearts) are underrated! Not just in the prepper community, but everywhere else too.  They are nutritious, easy to store, don’t spoil quickly, and are pretty good to eat too.  If you have ever considered adding some hemp seeds to your prepper pantry, here’s what you should know about these nutritional powerhouses.

Hemp seeds have a mild “nutty” flavor. They are the seeds of the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa, but contain only trace amounts of THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana.  “Trace amounts” are even less than can be found in full spectrum CBD products (.3%)! Hemp seeds are a superfood worthy of their reputation!

NUTRITION

Three tablespoons of hemp seeds contain 174 calories, 14 grams of total fat, 1 gram of saturated fat, 2 grams of carbohydrate, 1 gram of fiber and 11 grams of protein. These tiny seeds are an excellent source of iron, zinc, and magnesium and also contain a good amount of potassium. One of the most impressive things about these high protein seeds is they contain all nine essential amino acids. Hemp seeds contain 11 grams of protein! That’s similar amounts of protein as beef and lamb by weight. Hemp also boasts several important essential fatty acids including omega-3 and omega-6.

These seeds can help control blood sugar levels and are a great source of arginine and gamma-linolenic acid, which have been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease.

STORAGE

Packages of shelled hemp seeds should be stored in a cool, dry place or at cooler temperatures, such as in a freezer. To prevent spoilage, store hemp seeds in a sealed container in the refrigerator, however, they will keep up to a year at room temperature. I pour the hemp seeds I am currently eating on into a large mason jar and just keep it in the fridge.  For longterm storage, keep them cool and dry (you can store them in a basement, just watch the moisture level) like you would chia seeds and many other long term storage foods. I seal them in mason jars and stick them on the shelf of the prepper pantry. If you use these often, rotate them through.  This will ensure you have some at all times.

To protect your hemp seeds from rodents, store in a glass or metal can that they cannot get into. Make sure all seeds are kept in well-labeled containers. If you notice any condensation on the inside of the jar or can after storing, there is too much moisture and the germination process can begin.

Hemp seeds offer a range of benefits, are easy to store, and are good enough to eat daily.  These little seeds make a great addition to your prepper pantry. But before the SHTF, you could try tossing some into a smoothie or top your salad with them.  The benefits are enough that they warrant consideration as a prepper pantry addition and an overall addition to our daily diets!