Temporary exhibition

Cannabis Cuisine

Nowadays, hemp seeds are available at any supermarket. In recent years, CBD oil has been on the rise as a nutritional supplement. Space cake from Amsterdam coffeeshops is world-famous. The cannabis plant is mainly known for its flowers, which can be smoked, but it is also proving to be a versatile source of nutrition. In the exhibition ‘Cannabis Cuisine’, the Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum in Amsterdam explores the history of cannabis in nutrition, lists the healthy qualities of hemp and follows the latest trends in high cuisine.

The life expectancy of residents in the Chinese town of Bama Yao is well above 100. Scientists believe the secret behind this long lifespan has something to do with their diet, which contains a lot of hemp seeds. With a near perfect balance between omega 3 and omega 6, iron, vitamin E and all essential amino acids, hemp seeds are seen as a superfood.

The nutritious seeds are nestled in the flowers of the plant. Sources from ancient and medieval times state that eating too many hemp seeds can result in dizziness, an effect possibly caused by accidently consuming residue from the cannabinoid rich flowers. Nowadays, with modern harvesting methods, this phenomenon is no longer a problem. It is clear that consuming hemp seeds has no mind-altering effects due to the negligible percentage of psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

The super-healthy seeds can be eaten peeled or unpeeled, raw or roasted, pure or aromatised. The seeds are also used to press oil (for use in a salad dressing, for example), and they are ground to make meal and protein powder. The leaves – which are great for herbal tea – and the flowers of the hemp plant are edible and healthy as well. They contain substances including cannabidiol (CBD) and are used in nutritional supplements. 

Foods that contain THC-rich cannabis flowers (buds) are mainly used for medicinal, recreational and spiritual purposes. Bhang, for example, is a creamy and tasty herbal drink that has been consumed for centuries in India, with cannabis as an essential ingredient. Nowadays, chefs all over the world experiment with the flowers and leaves of the cannabis plant to create classy dishes. In exclusive recipes, haute cuisine and mind-altering herbs can form a dangerously delicious mix.

Cannabis Cuisine
December 1, 2017 – April 1, 2018
Opening: Thursday November 30, at 5.00 pm