Yes. Whole hempseed keeps the hull and gives more fibre with a chewy texture, while hulled hempseed (hemp hearts) is soft and mild. Removing the hull also concentrates protein and omega-3, because the fibre-rich hull makes up a large share of the whole seed. Both can be eaten raw, straight from the bag — hempseed does not need to be cooked.
Can you eat hempseed with the hull?
| Whole hempseed | Hulled (hemp hearts) | |
|---|---|---|
| Hull | Kept | Removed |
| Texture | Chewy, crunchy | Soft |
| Flavour | More pronounced, "green" | Mild, nutty |
| Fibre | More (hull contributes) | Less |
| Protein | Lower share | Higher share |
| Omega-3 (ALA) / fat | Lower share | Higher share |
| Use | Topping, baking | Sprinkle straight, smoothie |
It is the same seed — Cannabis sativa — the difference is only whether the outer hull is on. See also hulled vs whole hempseed.
Do hulled hempseeds have more protein?
The hull is largely fibre and accounts for a significant portion of the whole seed. When removed, the remaining hemp heart becomes more concentrated in protein and oil — and since the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) sits in the oil, the share of omega-3 per 100 g rises.
Approximate values:
- Whole hempseed: around 25 g protein and 30 g fat per 100 g, with considerably more fibre.
- Hulled hemp hearts: around 31 g protein and 49 g fat per 100 g, with less fibre.
(Values from Callaway 2004 for whole seeds and USDA FoodData Central FDC 170148 for hulled.)
Both are nutrient-dense — the choice depends on what you are after: more fibre and chew (whole) or more protein and omega-3 in a softer form (hulled). See also how much hempseed per day, hempseed essential fatty acids and how to use hempseed.
Can you eat raw hempseed?
Yes. Hempseed is usually eaten raw and untoasted. It can be sprinkled directly on food or eaten as is. If you want a roasted note, whole seeds can be dry-toasted briefly in a pan, but that is a matter of taste, not a requirement.
How do you hull hempseed?
The hull is removed mechanically in an industrial process where seeds run through a hulling machine that separates the soft inner seed (hemp heart) from the hard outer hull. It is hard to do by hand — which is why hulled hempseed is sold pre-hulled.
FAQ
Can you eat hempseed with the hull?
Yes. Whole seeds with the hull are great to eat and give more fibre and chew than hulled.
Does hulled hempseed have more protein?
Yes, gram for gram. When the fibre-rich hull is removed, both protein and omega-3 are concentrated in the hemp heart — around 31 g protein per 100 g compared with about 25 g for whole seeds.
Can you eat raw hempseed?
Yes, they are usually eaten raw and untoasted.
How do you hull hempseed?
The hull is removed mechanically in an industrial hulling process; that is why hulled hempseed is usually bought pre-hulled.
Do you have to cook hempseed?
No, they need no cooking. They can be eaten directly.