Hemp: Information About the Plant
We hear terms like “Legal Cannabis,” “Inflorescences,” and “Terpenes” more and more often. In this series of articles, we aim to clarify some fundamental points, and we have decided to start with the plant itself: hemp.
Hemp is an extraordinary plant—far from ordinary.
Let’s briefly explain why: from its stem to its seeds and flowers, nothing goes to waste!
The hemp stem
The fibers in the stem have been used for centuries to make fabric, paper, and highly durable ropes. Since hemp is a high-yield plant that thrives indifferent climates, it has been cultivated worldwide for this purpose.
Not many people know that, until the post-war period, Italy was Europe’s leading producer, with nearly 100,000 hectares dedicated to its cultivation. By 2017, according to AssoCanapa, this number had dropped to less than 2,000 hectares. Far from being a novelty, hemp is a return to the past!
The plant’s seeds
It is not easy to find plants whose fruits generate no waste. Hemp achieves this miracle.
Through simple cold pressing, yielding up to 30%,we can extract valuable hemp seed oil, known for its numerous health benefits. The oil contains an ideal ratio of essential fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3 in a 3:1 balance), which is considered optimal for human health. Additionally, it is rich in vitamins, particularly vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant.
But that’s not all! The so-called “waste” from the pressing process can quickly be turned into a valuable resource. By grinding the resulting residue (known as “hemp cake”), a flour rich in beneficial properties can be obtained. This flour is highly useful in the fight against celiac disease and is also interesting when combined with other whole grain flours for making bread, pasta, and many other baked goods.
Hemp flowers
Hemp is a dioecious plant, meaning that it can develop either male or female reproductive organs, but almost never both on the same plant. However, under certain stress conditions, it can become hermaphroditic. We will explore why this characteristic is important and attempt to explain, as much as possible, the secrets of these unique flowers, now commonly referred to as “inflorescences.”
