Nut butters are a hot topic – so what about a spread made from hemp seeds?

In recent years, nut butters have become part of many people's everyday diet. They are spread on bread and used in porridge, smoothies and baking. The Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat recently looked at how nut butters are used and recommended moderation, especially given their energy density and ingredient lists.

At the same time, interest in simpler and more transparent options is growing. Many people are looking for spreads with clear ingredients and a known origin. One interesting option is closer than you might think – it grows in Finnish fields.

A hemp seed is a seed, not a nut

Hemp seed is not a nut but the seed of an oil crop. Hulled, it has a mild, nutty flavour and is a versatile ingredient that can be made into a spread without added fats or preservatives.

A spread made from Finnish hulled hemp seeds is a particularly good fit when you are looking for:

• a short, simple ingredient list
• a nut-free option
• a Finnish, plant-based spread

Hemp seed spread works on everyday bread, in porridge and in cooking.

The natural nutrient content of hemp seeds as part of a varied diet

Hemp seeds naturally contain:

• protein
• fat containing both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
• fibre and minerals

Hemp seed protein contains all the essential amino acids, which makes it an interesting ingredient for a varied diet – especially for people who prefer plant-based options.

Like any spread, hemp seed spread is best enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

A nut-free option for home and shared meals

Nut allergies affect many people's daily lives, and products containing nuts are often excluded in schools, day-care centres and hobby venues. Hemp seed is not a nut but a seed.

No nuts are handled in HamppuFarmi's production, and Finnish hulled hemp seeds offer an option for anyone avoiding nuts – at home and in shared meals alike.

When you make it yourself, you know what you eat

The Helsingin Sanomat article emphasised visible ingredients and moderate use. One way to respond to this is to make your spread yourself.

Recipe: homemade hemp seed spread

Good on bread, in porridge, mixed into muesli or in cooking.

Ingredients

• 300–400 ml (about 1¼–1⅔ cups) HamppuFarmi Hulled hemp seeds
• 1–2 tbsp HamppuFarmi hemp seed oil (optional)
• a pinch of salt
• 1 tsp honey or other sweetener (optional)

Method

1. Toast lightly (recommended):
   Toast the hemp seeds in a dry pan for a few minutes until they smell mildly nutty. Take care not to burn them.

2. Blend:
   Transfer the seeds to a blender or food processor. Keep blending until the texture turns from floury to a paste.

3. Loosen if needed:
   Add hemp oil one tablespoon at a time if you want a softer texture. Cold-pressed hemp oil adds flavour and smoothness.

4. Season:
   Add the salt and any sweetener at the end.

5. Storage:
   Keep the spread in an airtight glass jar in the fridge.

Variations

• Chocolate version: add 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• Crunchy texture: stir in some of the seeds only at the end

A Finnish choice for your kitchen

While many nuts and nut butters are shipped to Finland from far away, hemp grows in Finnish fields. By choosing Finnish hemp seeds and hemp oil, you support local farming and shorter supply chains.

If you are looking for a simple, nut-free, locally grown ingredient for everyday spreads, hemp seed is well worth getting to know.

👉 Explore the products:

• Hulled hemp seeds – product page
• Hemp seed oil – product page

Link to the Helsingin Sanomat article on nut butters (in Finnish): Pähkinälevitteistä tuli suosittuja, mutta ravitsemusterapeutti kehottaa malttiin | HS.fi