Hemp Milk
Skin Health
Hemp milk contains fatty acids which may support healthy skin.
Allergen-Friendly
Hemp milk is free of major food allergens like nuts, gluten and soy.
Heart Healthy
Hemp milk contains arginine, which may improve blood flow in the heart.
Have you ever had hemp milk? Maybe made in your own kitchen? Well if you haven't, you're missing out.
Hemp milk is made from hemp seeds, water, and sometimes nuts or sweeteners. It's rich in protein, omega fatty acids, fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins.
Curious about whether or not it's the right non-dairy milk for you?
Read on to learn everything about hemp milk from how it's made to how it tastes, pros and cons, and more!
What is Hemp Milk?
Hemp milk is a type of non-dairy milk that's made with hemp seeds from the Cannabis sativa plant and water to produce a watery, thin milk.
Even though the milk is made from cannabis plants, it doesn't contain any psychoactive compounds. That's because it's made from the seeds of the plant rather than the leaves, flowers, and buds.
If you've ever tasted oat or rice milk, you know that these are pretty neutral-tasting. That's not the case with hemp milk. Hemp milk has a distinctly nutty flavor with a hint of bitterness.
Hemp milk also has notes of sunflower in it. It's one of the stronger non-dairy milks out there, but that's one of the reasons so many people like it!
Check out our Hemp Milk 101 video to learn more.
Hemp Milk Nutrition Facts
Hemp milk is an extremely healthy type of milk that's packed with tons of nutrients, proteins, and healthy fats.
In hemp milk, you'll find roughly 60 calories per serving. Now, keep in mind that this calorie count will vary depending on whether you make or buy your hemp milk.
Here's a look at the nutrition facts for unsweetened hemp milk, courtesy of the USDA.
Hemp Milk Nutrition Facts | |
---|---|
Calories | 60 |
Protein | 3g |
Fat | 5g |
Carbohydrates | 0 |
Fiber | 0g |
Sugar | 0g |
Calcium | 283mg |
Iron | 2mg |
Sodium | 110mg |
The Benefits of Hemp Milk
If you choose to drink hemp milk, you'll be treating yourself to some wonderful health benefits. Let's take a look at a few of those benefits.
Allergy-Friendly
One major benefit of hemp milk is that it doesn't contain lactose, gluten, or soy. In addition, there are no nut products in this type of milk.
As a result, hemp milk is a great choice for people who can't drink other non-dairy milks. You don't have to worry about risking your health to maintain a plant-based diet.
May Boost Skin Health
Because hemp milk contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, it may help support healthy skin. That's because these fatty acids help reduce inflammation and aging of the skin.
Studies have been conducted on the effects of individuals consuming omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids and the thickness of their skin. The results showed that those with more omega-6 in their diet usually had less dry and less thin skin.
Since hemp milk is rich in this nutrient, drinking it could be a great way to keep your skin healthy.
May Help Keep Your Heart Healthy
Another potential benefit of hemp is that it may keep your heart in good working order. The reason for this is that hemp contains arginine, which helps your body produce nitric oxide.
Nitric oxide is important for improving blood flow and lowering your blood pressure. On top of that, it may help reduce CRP levels in the blood, which can help reduce your risk of heart disease.
The Downsides of Hemp Milk
Now, even though there are plenty of benefits to drinking hemp milk, you should still be aware of a couple of downsides. That way, you know exactly what you're getting into with this milk.
May Contain Added Sugar or Additives
Like many plant-based milks you buy at the store, some manufacturers add sugar or other additives to hemp milk to enhance the flavor.
While it might improve the flavor and consistency, it can make your milk a little less healthy.
You can get around this by making it yourself or buying the unsweetened version.
Not-So-Subtle Flavor
Hemp milk's flavor isn't as mild as other milk. It can taste a bit bitter, making it unpleasant to some people.
How To Make Hemp Milk
After learning a bit about the benefits of hemp milk, you're probably dying to start making some of your own! Luckily, doing so is pretty easy.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup of hemp hearts
- 4 cups of water
- 1 tablespoon of maple syrup or agave
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Equipment Needed
- High-speed blender
- Glass jar to store it
Instructions
Step 1
The first step to making your hemp milk is to grab your hemp hearts, water, and sweetener. If you don't have hemp hearts, you can also use hemp seeds. Just remember that you'll need to hull them (remove the husks) first.
Now, we recommend using maple syrup or agave to sweeten your hemp milk. However, you can actually use Medjool dates instead! Two to three Medjool dates make for a natural and delicious sweetener.
Alternatively, you can leave the sweetener out of the milk. Just keep in mind that the final result may be slightly bitter.
Step 2
Once you've got your ingredients together, place everything in the blender.
Blend the ingredients for about two to three minutes on high. The milk should become opaque, thick, and creamy.
If you want slightly creamier milk, use a bit less water. You'll wind up with a more concentrated hemp milk that's much smoother, making it ideal for coffee.
Step 3
Once you've finished blending, it's time to transfer the milk to an airtight container. What's great about hemp milk is that unlike some other kinds of milk, you don't need to strain it!
Hemp milk's seeds are small enough that they'll blend up without you having to strain out the water. Plus, the seeds add to the thick consistency of the milk.
Homemade hemp milk should stay fresh for up to five days. When you buy hemp milk from the store, you'll be able to store it for longer. That's because store-bought hemp milk often contains preservatives that make it last longer.
Hemp Milk Recipes
Hemp milk's nutty flavor makes it great for both savory and sweet recipes. Here are a couple of recipes that taste delicious with hemp milk.
Some of these recipes call for almond milk or other plant-based milk. You can simply swap it out with hemp milk for a 1:1 replacement!
Hemp Milk Cornbread
First on our list is hemp milk cornbread. If you're a fan of fall foods and are looking for a classic dish, why not try some hemp milk cornbread?
For this recipe, you'll need to have a batch of hemp milk on hand, so make sure that you whip it up ahead of time. Then, once your dish is made, you can pair it with some tasty chili!
Do we have your mouth watering yet? Take a look at this delicious recipe from Nora Cooks and let us know what you think.
Hemp Milk Mashed Potatoes
There's nothing like delicious mashed potatoes, regardless of whether you make them at Thanksgiving or just on a regular Monday night! And, what better way to add some zing to your mashed potatoes than by making them with hemp milk?
Not only does hemp milk add some extra nutritional value to these mashed potatoes, but it also helps lower the calories. All that cream and butter get swapped out for healthy, vegan alternatives.
So, ready to make a batch of your own? Head over to Simple Veganista to check out a great recipe.
Hemp Milk Pancakes
Anyone who wants a dairy-free alternative to America's favorite breakfast food should definitely try making a batch of hemp milk pancakes. Not only do they taste good, but they're easy to make, too!
This pancake recipe takes just a few minutes to whip up and will leave your mouth watering. Then, you can add your favorite pancake toppings such as fruits and berries, yogurt, or syrup!
To get a load out of this recipe, head over to Pacific Foods' website. There you'll find everything you need to know about making this great dish.
Mexican Hot Chocolate
Another wonderful hemp milk recipe to try out is to make a cup of Mexican hot chocolate. Mexican hot chocolate is a delicious treat to enjoy on cold afternoons.
You can also get creative with this recipe and add your favorite toppings! A few of our favorites include:
- A dusting of cocoa powder
- A sprinkle of cinnamon powder or another cinnamon stick
- Peppermint sticks
- Whipped cream or coconut whipped cream
- Shaved chocolate
- Cacao nibs
- Marshmallows
No matter what toppings you pick, you're bound to love the spicy-sweet and slightly nutty flavor of this hemp milk Mexican hot chocolate.
Ready to try it yourself? Head to Simple Veganista for your recipe.
Hemp Milk Muffins
Muffins make great grab-and-go breakfasts as well as tasty snacks when you need an afternoon pick-me-up. That's why we just had to include some in our list of delicious hemp milk recipes!
Although this particular muffin recipe uses strawberries, you can throw in whatever fruit you like. Blueberry, banana, nuts, oats, and even mango all make for great additions to your hemp milk muffins.
Ready to try the recipe already? Head over to Flora & Vino for this delectable hemp milk treat.
Hemp Milk Iced Latte
For all our coffee queens (and kings) out there, you might want to try a hemp milk iced latte. This vegan, dairy-free, and low-calorie latte is a great way to get your caffeine kick without piling on the pounds.
Our favorite part about this recipe is that you can really get creative with it. If you're wanting to add flavor to it, all you need to do is throw in a few drops of your favorite food essence (we recommend coconut). The result is truly tantalizing.
To make this latte, you'll have to head over to Espresso My Kitchen. This website has all kinds of coffee recipes, and you can substitute hemp milk in just about any of them!
Hemp Milk FAQ
Still have questions about hemp milk? Check out the answers to these frequently asked questions!
Is Hemp Milk Good for You?
Hemp milk contains plenty of calcium as well as important micronutrients and amino acids that make it a healthy and nutritious choice.
Is Hemp Milk Better Than Regular Milk?
Hemp milk contains more vitamin A than regular dairy milk. In addition, it also contains fewer calories. As such, it can be argued that hemp milk is better than dairy milk depending on your needs.
How Does Hemp Milk Taste?
Hemp milk is nutty and smooth. It has a flavor that's similar to almond milk. When unsweetened, it can be slightly bitter.
Does Hemp Milk Have CBD?
Even though hemp milk is made from the hemp plant, it doesn't contain CBD. That's because CBD is found in the flowers and buds of the cannabis plant. Since hemp milk is made from the seeds of the plant, it contains no CBD.
Try a Cup of Hemp Milk Today!
Hemp milk is a delicious non-dairy drink that you can enjoy. It's ideal for those on a plant-based diet or who simply want to consume fewer dairy products!
Do you want more guides on other types of non-dairy milk? We can help! Check out our other guides below.