Culinary experts, innovators shed light on how hemp is used in Indian cuisine

A certain section of people have always perceived hemp or cannabis as the panacea for the ecosystem Several regions within the United States of America Canada and now Thailand have approved the use of hemp in food and beverages A multipurpose plant hemp has had a long tradition through civilisations from ancient China and Japan to IndiaThe plantFor the uninitiated hemp belongs to the same species as the cannabis plant The term hemp refers to plants that possess a low quality of tetrahydrocannabinol THC mdash less than 03 per cent mdash which gives them an intoxicating quality The chemical is most prevalent in the flower of the plantYash KotakYash Kotak cofounder Bombay Hemp Company tells us ldquoWhile the plant is prevalently found in the north and northeast India it has not spread much to other partsrdquo Hemp has been found to provide over 25000 uses This may be a reason why the Hindu traditions include it as one of the sacred plants Kotak adds that since the plant had such a deep presence in Indian culture it never became completely illegalCulinary traditionCulinary expert and author Rushina Munshaw Ghildiyal discovered the use of the plantrsquos seeds during her research on Uttarakhandi cuisine She tells us that hemp seeds or bhaang seeds are used to make salts or as a spice mix in the region ldquoAs a spice it is used whole or added to the tadkardquo she informs us The seeds possess warming qualities that are essential in the cold climate ldquoOne could equate it with cod liver oilrdquo she adds ldquoIt also has digestive qualities that work to balance out vegetables like mooli radish or kaddu bottlegourdrdquo This practical use is widespread in the mountainous regions of Garhwal Kumaon and in some regions of the North Bengal Ghildiyal extols the famed bhaang ki chutney and the bhaang ka chicken from the region as examples ldquoThey also use it as a toasted snack Buknu along with other seeds and nuts and some ricerdquoAmruta ShitoleAmruta Shitole cofounder of Punersquos newlyopened The Hemp Cafeteria agrees Born in Maharashtra the use of hemp or bhaang in food was a culture shock for Shitole on her visit to Uttarakhand ldquoOver there every little house is using it as part of the daily routine Some of the villagers also explained how the seeds were used to build immunity in childrenrdquo This inspired her to start Punersquos first hemp cafeteria Shitolersquos dishes include burgers made with hempinfused multigrain bread sandwiches with hemp chutney and as an ingredient in nutbased cookies ldquoThe seeds do not have any distinct flavour profile It is a very adaptable ingredientrdquo she says sharing her idea of using it as an addition to the Maharashtrian thalipeeth or a Delhifavourite momos in the futureOf course as Kotak points out the most popular perception of its use remains as an intoxicant in thandai ldquoAs thandai it has been used in Uttar Pradesh Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan but it has been restricted to a spiritual or recreational userdquo he notesThe problem of perception This recreational use has triggered a suspicion for hemp in a majority of the Indian populace Shitole admits that is a hurdle to entrepreneurs innovating with hemp products She says ldquoIt is a challenge to convince people that these seeds are not a drug and are very healthy Hemp seeds contain Omega3 and Omega6 essential fatty acids and proteinsrdquoKotak shares that hemp also has agrarian advantages ldquoIt requires very little water grows in the span of 90 to 100 daysrdquo he says This selfsustaining fastgrowing quality earned it the slang name of weedldquoNow in the age of hyperinformation people are relooking the plant and its usesrdquo Kotak concludes If adopted the plant will prove itself a natural survivorKumaoni bhang ka khatta meetha kadduTime 40 minutes Serves 4IngredientsFor the bhaang spice mix 50 gm bhaang hemp seeds 2 dry red chillies frac12 tsp saltTo cook the kaddu 2 tbsp mustard oil 23 whole dry lakhorired chillies 1 tsp cumin seeds 1 pinch Dehra Dun hing or frac14 tsp regular hing 750 gms red ripe pumpkin cleaned and diced with the peel on frac12 tsp turmeric powder frac12 tsp chilli powder 23 tbsp tamarind extract or juice of 12 lemons Salt to taste 100 ml waterRushina GhildiyalMethodFor the bhaang spice mixHeat a kadhai When hot lower the flame and slowly dry roast the bhaang seeds while stirring Once they darken with a nutty aroma transfer the mix to a bowl and leave to cool Grind to a powder when coolFor the kadduInto the same kadhai add oil and heat till the oil is smoking hot Lower the flame before adding hing red chillies cumin and wait for them to splutter Then add the diced pumpkin with water and mix well Cover and let it cook till the water reduces Add salt red chilli powder and turmeric and continue to cook on a low flame stirring regularly and mashing as you go The pumpkin must be coarsely mashed Add jaggery to the mix with the bhaang masala and cook for one to two minutes When the preparation is ready take it off the flame and stir in tamarind or lemon juice Serve hot with puris parathas or rotisLegal limitations on hempOn November 15 2021 the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India FSSAI approved the use of hemp seeds in limited quantities in food and beverages In beverages the use of hemp is limited to 02 mg THC per kg while in foods it is limited to 5 mg per kg Such foods or drinks cannot be provided to infantsThe Source Guide Bombay Hemp Company Established in 2013 the company offers hemp shell seeds oil powders as well as immunity boosting capsules and skin creams to try outLog on to BohecocomCall 9619696100 The Hemp Factory Mumbairsquos first hempbased food outlet this cloud kitchen offers a variety of choices from pizzas made from hemp dough and pasta fusilli with a hemp base to healthier smoothie optionsLog on to SwiggyZomatoCall 9892531817 Its Hemp From personal care and pet products to kurtas and shirts this online store offers everything hemp for the potential buyer Fitness buffs may want to try the natural protein powders on saleLog on to itshempinCall 76509988777 CBD Store India This eplatform offers consultations with medical professionals in addition to beauty and skin products For the fashionconscious there is a handmade hemp fibre clothing range to suit every season Log on to CBDStoreIndia on FacebookCall 9769656935