The Beauty of Hemp Milk

You might be surprised with the variety of milks available. Soy, almond, coconut, rice, oat, hemp. etc. Each type of non-dairy milk is known for having different properties. Out of all the different varieties of milk, hemp is the most nutritious, and most delicious too. Yet, most people don’t even know that hemp seeds can easily be made into milk.

What is amazing about hemp milk is it is packed full of nutrients. It is one of the most healthful milks one can consume, with the highest good fat (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated) and protein content per serving. It is packed with magnesium, phytosterols, ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, calcium, fiber, iron, potassium, phosphorus, riboflavn, niacin, and thiamin.

It is also one of the best sources of omega-3 and omega-6 in the proper ratio. Alone, hemp contains all 9 essential amino acids, along with all 21 known proteins, making it one of the best sources of complete proteins for vegans and non-vegans alike. It is also great for those with gluten intolerance.

Why make your own?

I recently started seeing hemp milk on the shelves of my local co-op and health food store. This is a great thing to see, except for one problem. I was unable to find organic, and they are all fortified with added ingredients. Some fortified ingredients can be good, for example all hemp milks I saw in the store were fortified with B-12, but they also contain preservatives to retain good shelf life and may contain more sugar than you may like.

I decided to attempt making my own hemp milk and was surprised to discover how incredibly fast and easy it is. The best part is that when making it at home it is raw, can easily be organic, and it’s fresh. You also have the ability to fine tune your recipe to fit your personal taste palate. You can even mix in a tablespoon of flaxseed to add another nutrient boost. Flax is also full of amino acids and a great omega-6 and omega-3 ratio.

One of the beauties of hemp milk is the ease of making it. As simple as combining hulled hemp seeds and water, anyone can produce their own milk with the knowledge that they are consuming healthy, hearty, nutrient-filled milk.

With the following ingredients you can make your own hemp milk:

• 1/2 cup hulled Hemp Seeds
• 1 Tbsp Flaxseeds (optional)
• 3 cups water
• 1 Tbsp agave or other sweetener (to taste)
• 1 pinch of sea or himalayan salt

Mix the ingredients in your blender on high until smooth. You may want to strain your milk through cheesecloth once or twice to get a smooth creamy texture, depending on your personal preference and the quality of your blender. You may also want to scoop off the top layer of foam.

Once you finish blending, put the milk into a sealed container and store in the fridge. It will keep for 3-5 days. It is great in teas and coffee, baking, cereals, and even as a stand alone drink.

Buying seeds in bulk can be a great way to save on cost. If you decide to buy in bulk, make sure to refrigerate your seeds and even freeze them if you get a large quantity. This will keep them fresh, but is not necessary if your fridge is always full like mine.

To create vanilla hemp milk, add another tablespoon of sweetener (or more to taste) and one teaspoon of vanilla extract. Blend with the other ingredients. Enjoy!

First published in Ladybud Magazine here: The Beauty of Hemp Milk