The Benefits of Hemp Milk and How to Make It
The Benefits of Hemp Milk and How to Make It
Hemp milk is becoming increasingly popular as more and more people choose plant-based, dairy-free alternatives to cow’s milk, and with good reason. Hemp milk contains a variety of vitamins and minerals, including antioxidant-rich Vitamin E, stress-soothing magnesium, immune-supportive zinc, as well as bone-supportive phosphorus and calcium. (1)
Hemp milk is made by blending water and seeds from the hemp plant. And while hemp seeds are from the same species as cannabis (marijuana), hemp seeds themselves don’t naturally contain THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the mind-altering ingredient in cannabis. (2)
Hemp seeds are incredibly nutrient-dense! One of their most impressive qualities is just how rich they are rich in skin-boosting essential fatty acids. And not only that, the specific kinds of healthy fats they contain, called omega-6 and omega-3, are present in a ratio considered to be optimal for human health (between 2:1 and 3:1).(3) They’re also rich in protein!
Hemp is a fast-growing and environmentally friendly crop, making it a sustainable choice for the environment, too (4).
Hemp milk is easy to make right in your own kitchen. With its creamy texture, delicately sweet taste, and simple ingredient list, it just might be your new favorite homemade companion to your morning coffee or tea.
Hemp Milk
Ingredients
½ cup hulled hemp seeds
4 cups filtered water (for thicker and creamier hemp milk, use 3 cups water instead)
1 date, pits removed (2 for sweeter hemp milk)
½ tsp. vanilla extract (optional)
Hearty dash of cinnamon (optional)
Pinch sea salt
Directions
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend on high for about 45 seconds or until well combined.
Usually, the hemp seeds will break down enough during blending so that straining isn’t necessary. If you’d prefer to strain it to ensure a uniform consistency, use cheesecloth or a nut milk bag to strain the blended hemp mixture into a large bowl, pitcher, or wide-mouth mason jar.
Transfer to a sealed container and store up to five days in the refrigerator.
For more resources, check out The Fiercely Holistic Podcast:
Should you be consuming dairy?
Episode 41: Should you be consuming dairy?
Want to learn more about non-dairy options?
Episode 37: non-dairy alternatives, because it’s not just about the cow!
SOURCES:
1. Rodriguez-Leyva, Delfin, and Grant N Pierce. “The Cardiac and Haemostatic Effects of Dietary Hempseed.” Nutrition & Metabolism, BioMed Central, 21 Apr. 2010, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2868018/#B6.
2. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. “Three Gras Notices for Hemp Seed-Derived Ingredients for Food.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-responds-three-gras-notices-hemp-seed-derived-ingredients-use-human-food.
3. Callaway, J. C. “Hempseed as a Nutritional Resource: An Overview.” Euphytica, Kluwer Academic Publishers, link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10681-004-4811-6.
4. Rupasinghe, H P Vasantha, et al. “Industrial Hemp (Cannabis Sativa) as an Emerging Source for Value-Added Functional Food Ingredients and Nutraceuticals.” Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), MDPI, 7 Sept. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7571072/.