Hemp Milk: It Does a Body Good!

The hemp plant has proven, through the years, to be one of the most versatile around. Though it is often tarnished by its close relationship to the marijuana species of the plant and lumped in with the stigma that surrounds cannabis, the truth is that we as a society have found many uses for hemp. If we allowed ourselves to take advantage of that fact, we would all certainly benefit. Hemp can be used in many ways, from construction to fashion, from farming to food. And, in addition, growing hemp outdoors is great for the environment. It cleans the air of carbon dioxide more quickly than trees do and adds nutrients to the soil in which it is grown, and it fits easily into a sustainable farming rotation. So we can easily see the perks of growing and using the hemp plant. And another use is quickly gaining traction as we learn more about hemp: hemp milk.

What is Hemp Milk?

No doubt some people are taken aback at the very suggestion of hemp milk, thinking of milk as something that comes from animals. But in fact, we already buy substitutes such as almond milk, rice milk, and soy milk at our local grocery stores all the time. Conceptually, hemp milk is no different.

Hemp milk, like the other milk alternatives mentioned, is a non-dairy drink. It’s made by blending the seeds from the hemp plant with water. It doesn’t quite taste like dairy milk, of course—it has a more earthy, nutty flavor, and in fact, almond milk is a much closer comparison. However, if you’re not just avoiding dairy, but also dealing with an allergy to nuts, hemp milk will prove a better option for you than almond milk. It can be used in any recipe that calls for milk, poured over your cereal, or even as a simple beverage—just as you would a glass of cow’s milk.

Why Consider a Milk Substitute Made From Cannabis?

If you don’t have dietary restrictions, it might be your gut reaction to shrug this all off. And even if you do, you’ve likely found a milk substitute by now that’s working for you. So why explore an alternative?

The answer is in the vitamins and minerals it contains. What makes hemp milk a real star is that it contains calcium, which many non-dairy milk alternatives do not. In fact, hemp milk contains more calcium even than dairy milk, so if you’re looking to get your calcium, this is a great way to do it. Hemp milk is also packed with protein, plus omega-3 and omega-6 to promote brain and heart health.

And for those who are new to hemp and may be concerned about the possibility of getting high from hemp milk, fear not. The hemp plant may be related to marijuana, but it contains such a low amount of THC as to be completely negligible. You will not get high from drinking hemp milk.

Make Your Own Hemp Milk

Yes, you can make your own hemp milk at home, and it’s pretty easy to do so. All you’ll need are hulled hemp seeds and water—though you can certainly add sweeteners such as agave, maple syrup, dates, sugar, and flavorings using vanilla extract, berries or even cocoa powder to give it a taste that appeals to you more.

Simply combine one cup of hulled hemp seeds with four cups of water in a high powered blender and blend until the seeds are pulverized. Though it isn’t required, but certainly recommended, you can use a nut milk bag or cheesecloth to strain the blended mixture and remove the seed pulp before drinking. But if a little pulp doesn’t bother you, or if you don’t have a nut milk bag handy, feel free to simply pour and enjoy!