An untapped opportunity

Of the roughly 3 million edible plants we know about, this one has the greatest overall nutritional value. The seeds of this plant are edible as whole seeds, hulled seeds (the nut or heart), protein powder, or as oil extracted from seeds. It is used in salad dressings, protein bars, breads, cakes, soups, beer, butters, shakes, milk, breakfast cereals and many more food products. 

Its seed contains 25-35 per cent oil by weight. This non-trans-fatty-acid oil is high in a perfect balance of essential fatty acids necessary to maintain good health. It provides a healthy alternative to fish, which are often high in mercury and other toxins.

Its overall protein content of 35 per cent is comparable to soybeans and is higher than that found in nuts, other seeds, meats, dairy products and fish or poultry. Its protein contains all of the essential amino acids in nutritionally significant amounts and at a ratio closer to “complete” sources of protein (like meat, milk and eggs) than all other seeds except soy.

Of the proteins in this plant, 65 per cent are edestin, which are easily digestible and act as pre-cursors to such vital body components as hormones, haemoglobin, enzymes and antibodies. Its edestin structure is the highest in the plant kingdom, making it more digestible than soy and many other healthy plant foods.

It also contains a healthy 35 per cent of dietary fibre, higher than other flour grains, and it is high in the natural antioxidants Vitamin E, Vitamin C and chlorophyll.

Answer: hemp. 

Though hemp is legally grown in many countries, it is illegal to grow in Thailand and the US. However, that is changing, because the US House of Representatives just voted to allow American farmers to grow it. Since Thailand follows the US in such matters, how long will it take for Thai politicians to get on board, and allow Thai farmers to grow one of the world’s most nutritious crops? My guess: roughly 60 to 90 years, judging by Thais’ alacrity quotient, which has dropped balls on hosting Nasa and on being a candidate to host World Expo 2020.

Meanwhile, the rest of the world will be farming tonnes of hemp, and Thailand will be buying their products at marked-up prices. And Thai rice farmers will continue missing out on a much better crop – more nutritious, more useful, easier to grow on poor soils, and generating better revenue than the starchy water-guzzling plant known as rice.

Ken Albertsen

Chiang Rai