Homemade Hemp Milk | Recipe
Hemp Milk is an incredibly healthy, dairy-free, plant-based milk. Its naturally light in color with a mild nutty and earthy flavor. I was surprised at how easy it was to make as it only requires two ingredients (hemp seeds and water) and takes less than five minutes to make. You can add a little honey or vanilla if you want to kick the flavor up just a bit.
A lot of people, myself included, struggle with dairy. Its not so much that we dislike milk, but rather milk dislikes us. There is also a growing trend toward being more earth conscious and modern dairy production doesnt match that mindset. As such there has been a growing trend towards alternative milks. Soy and Almond Milks are just the tip of the icebergs you can also find Flax, Oat, Cashew, and of course Hemp.
Hemp seeds are incredibly nutritious, loaded with quality protein, fats, and minerals. Theyve been cultivated for millennia. Archeologists have found evidence dating back more than 10,000 years to the beginnings of pottery. The Columbia History of the World states that the oldest relic of human industry is a bit of hemp fabric dating back to approximately 8,000 BC. Its even rooted into American history American Presidents Washington and Jefferson both grew hemp. During the Colonial Era and early Republic, Americans were legally bound to grow hemp. The difference between Hemp and Marijuana is is not only academic, but also legally and biologically different. Hemp as a plant, lacks the ability to create high amounts of psychoactive compounds and is therefore inert.
To Filter or Not to Filter?
The process is making Hemp milk is incredibly simple. Place seeds and water (plus any sweetener) in a high powered blender and let er rip for a minute or two. The hemp seeds completely pulverize except for a little bit of pulp. You can strain the pulp if you wish, but if you shake your milk before each use, there is no need to strain or filter. If you wish to filter or strain it, simply pour it through a cheese cloth or nut-milk bag before storing.
Flavor Options
Hemp milk alone naturally has a nutty, earthy taste. I personally love it as is, but I get some people are not such a fan of those flavors. If youre looking to add a little more flavor, heres a few ideas to try:
- Vanilla Hemp Milk: Add 2 tsp of vanilla and 1 tbsp of maple syrup or honey.
- Chocolate Hemp Milk: Add 1.5 tbsp cacao powder and 1 tbsp of maple syrup or honey.
Homemade Hemp Milk
- 1/2cuphemp seeds
- 4cupswater
INSTRUCTIONS
- Add hemp seeds, water, and any additional sweeteners to a high-powered blender.
- Blend for 1 minute or until the milk is creamy and frothy.
- Pour the hemp milk into a sealable container (I used a swing top)
Storage?
Homemade hemp milk lasts up to 5 days stored in the fridge. Although, it might be best to consume within the first 2-3 days for the most freshness (if you can get it to last that long). To get it to last a little longer, you can freeze it for future use by pouring it into an ice cube tray. Then, you can use these cubes for your next smoothie!