Much of the world's hemp is harvested several times a year in warm climates. Gotland hemp does the opposite: it ripens slowly through a short, bright Nordic summer window, in soil resting on limestone — and is harvested only once. Here is why that makes the raw material different.
What makes Gotland hemp unique?
Three things meet on Gotland: lime-rich bedrock, a mild coastal climate and long, light summer days. Together they produce a raw material that differs from hemp grown further south. It is this hemp — grown on Gotland — that Helsama then refines.
Why does the limestone soil matter?
Gotland rests on limestone bedrock, one of Sweden's most geologically distinctive landscapes (Geological Survey of Sweden, SGU). The soil is lime-rich and well drained, shaped by the rock just beneath the surface. Since hemp takes up what is in the ground, the soil's conditions are a direct part of the raw material's character.
Why does hemp grow so fast around midsummer?
Hemp is among the plants that gather most pace during the lightest weeks of the year. Around midsummer, the days on Gotland are at their longest, and the plants make intensive use of the long light.
How many hemp harvests are there per year in the Nordics?
One. Nordic cultivation follows a single annual harvest, towards late summer and early autumn, while warmer parts of Europe can take several harvests per season. That single harvest is part of what makes the Nordic raw material unusual.
Seed and flower — two parts, two varieties
The hemp plant's seed and flower are put to use in different ways and come from different varieties, grown in separate fields:
- Hemp seeds — kernels harvested once the plant has matured, in five varieties: natural unhulled, hulled natural, roasted with coconut & cinnamon, roasted with tamari soy and roasted with chilli ranch.
- Flower powder — powder made from the hemp plant's flowers, Helsama's Premium CBD Hemp.
From soil to you
What Helsama does begins in the ground and in the season. After harvest and careful refinement, the Gotland hemp becomes the products we offer. The patience to wait for the right moment to harvest is part of the craft.
Read more about what is happening in the fields right now in Summer on Gotland – how the hemp is growing right now, or about hemp's Nordic history in our knowledge base.
Frequently asked questions
What makes Gotland hemp different?
It ripens through long Nordic summer days, clean air and lime-rich limestone soil, with a single annual harvest — unlike southern European hemp with several harvest cycles.
How many hemp harvests are there per year on Gotland?
One. Nordic cultivation follows a single annual harvest, towards late summer and early autumn.
Does Helsama grow the hemp itself?
No. Helsama refines hemp originating from Gotland — we begin with the raw material and take over where the plant has been harvested.