Plant-based kinds of milk are everywhere right now. They have broken out of the vegan shopping basket to become a household staple. You probably have one sitting in the kitchen cupboard.
Soya milk has been around for decades. For a long time, it was the only alternative to cow’s milk for vegans or people with lactose intolerance. But pop into any supermarket today and you find milk made from coconut, oat, cashews, rice and hazelnuts.
Hemp milk, made from the seeds of the hemp plant, is another alternative if you want something free from nuts, dairy or lactose. It’s full of nutritional goodness and super easy to make. So save some pennies and the planet by making some hemp milk.
Hemp Seed Nutrition
Hemp seeds are packed with nutritional benefits and are increasingly being added to food. Boost your healthy hemp seed benefits by using them as salad sprinkles, in buddha bowls, smoothies and porridge. They also have an incredible 50% more fibre than chia seeds. Plus, 30 g provides your daily intake of omega 3.
Increasing fibre in the diet can result in more regular visits to the loo. But the health benefits of high fibre hemp seeds outweigh any mild side effects. And as hemp seed is not mixed with the flowers or buds, it does not contain THC. Reach for the hemp seeds when looking for:
- Plant protein
- Healthy essential fats
- Omega 3
- High fibre
- Low carb supplement
- Source of magnesium
How To Make Hemp Milk
Making your own hemp milk only requires two ingredients – hemp seeds and water. The seeds don’t even need to be soaked, so this is a one-minute plant milk.
Hemp milk is nut-free but has a naturally nutty taste. Delicious already, but you can add flavourings like maple syrup for sweetness or vanilla extract. You will also need a blender and some cloth, such as muslin or cheesecloth, for straining the milk.
Ingredients
- 100 grams hulled hemp seeds (hemp hearts)
- 1-litre water
Optional flavourings
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Method
- Place the hemp seeds in a high-powered blender.
- Add the water and any chosen flavourings.
- Blitz for one minute until it reaches a smooth, creamy consistency. (For a slightly thicker texture, reduce the amount of water.)
Some plant-based milk needs to be strained to remove any pulp or solids. Hemp milk doesn’t have to be strained. However, there may be a little bit of pulp that sinks to the bottom. To avoid this, first strain the milk into a jug through a muslin cloth, cheesecloth or a nut-milk bag. Then simply transfer to your chosen bottle.
Flavoured Hemp Milk
This recipe is sweetened with syrup and packs a vanilla punch. Once you’ve tried the original, mix it up with some alternative sweeteners and flavours, such as:
- Honey
- Agave syrup
- Cacao powder
- 2-3 pitted dates
- Matcha tea
Storing Your Hemp Milk
Freshly made hemp milk will keep in the fridge for up to five days, but it’s best to use it sooner. It is great when stored in glass milk bottles or Kilner jars for added Insta-appeal. If you make too much, it can be frozen in ice cube trays and added later to smoothies.
Cooking With Hemp Seeds and Hemp Milk
Organic hemp seeds are full of fibre but very crunchy. When cooking with hemp seeds, a smoother option to bump up a healthy intake is hemp powder. This can easily be added to shakes, soups or sauces. Try using it to bake muffins or biscuits as it mixes well with other dry ingredients.
When you have made your hemp milk it can be used as a dairy milk substitute in cooking and coffee. Many coffee aficionados claim hemp milk has a consistency and creaminess closer to cow’s milk than other plant milks.
Where to Buy Hemp Seeds
When looking for healthy store cupboard essentials it’s always cheaper to buy in bulk. Large quantities of hemp seeds or powder won’t be in the supermarket and any small packets are pricier. Check with online health food stores or the giants that sell everything.
Making your Mind Up About Hemp Seed Milk
When it is so quick and simple to make hemp seed milk at home it is definitely worth a try. Be bold and experiment with taste, flavours and consistency to get it just right for you. Save money, improve your nutrition and reap the hemp seed benefits. You might have bought your last carton of plant milk.
