How to make hemp milk, including hemp milk benefits and a simple homemade hemp milk recipe using just two ingredients. A healthy, creamy high protein, dairy-free milk alternative.
Last year I decided I wanted to add hemp seeds into my diet more, to take advantage of their numerous health benefits (and so started making hemp seed butter). Now here is my quick homemade hemp milk recipe – a great plant based dairy-free milk alternative to take advantage of the hemp milk benefits.
As much as I love almond milk, I am fully obsessed with trying out other dairy-free milk varieties and love to use different milk for different purposes. I think these uses can vary from person to person and their personal palette. However, I love to use hemp milk is smoothie recipes, for my morning oats etc.
In fact, let me start this post straight away with a few reasons why it would be good to add hemp milk to your diet now.
Why You Should Start Drinking Homemade Hemp Milk
What I really love about hemp milk is how it actually compares to other dairy-free kinds of milk as well as cows milk.
For example, did you know that hemp milk actually contains more calcium than dairy milk?
It is also one of the best high-protein options when it comes to dairy-free milk alternatives. In fact, hemp seeds have more protein than beef naturally ( gram for gram) – which is amazing.
Hemp Milk is a good sustainable dairy-free milk option too, as they need far less water than various nuts ( including almonds), to grow. The plant also doesn’t deplete the nutrients from the surrounding soil where it grows, which is great.
More than that, homemade hemp milk is a wonderful dairy-free option for those with nut allergies. It also comes from a non-GMO plant, which eliminates the worries that some people can have towards soy milk.
Plus, hemp milk won’t separate in hot drinks, so great for teas and coffees.
And all of the above isn’t even touching the surface of hemp seed health benefits (see below!).
Homemade Hemp Milk Benefits
It goes without saying that all the benefits in homemade hemp milk are really the benefits of hemp seeds in general. I actually go into this in some detail in my homemade hemp seed butter post, if you want to read more there.
I’ve already mentioned that hemp seeds are a great source of protein and calcium. However, they are also a good source of a variety of other nutrients including being high in Omega 3 and Omega 6 and containing good levels of megnesium, iron, and Vitamin b1.
Hemp seeds are also one of the only Vegan ‘complete sources of protein’. This means that they provide all nine essential amino acids that make up complete proteins, which can’t be produced naturally by our bodies.
The combination of the essential fatty acids and Omegas come with a long list of benefits that include increased heart health ( including lowering overall cholesterol levels and blood pressure), brain health, and anti-inflammatory properties. With a good overall boost to immune system health.
And, since I know some of you will be worrying, hemp seeds contain less that 0.3% THC – so there’s no need to fear a high or anything.
What does Hemp Milk Taste like?
One of the main factors my friends have told me for not wanting to make hemp milk is because they fear what it might taste like. It goes without saying that people can often think about the hemp plant as a whole, imagine what it might taste like, and be put off.
Hemp milk is actually just rather nutty. I would say it does have more of an earthy flavour than most nut milks. In fact, many store-bought options tend to have sweeteners/additives to neutralise that taste. However, I actually find plain homemade hemp milk quite pleasant.
How To Make Hemp Milk in Two Easy Steps
Making homemade hemp milk follows the same method as other dairy-free milk recipes, with no need to soak the seeds. In fact, all you need to do is blend your ingredients, strain it, pour into a bottle and refrigerate.
If like me, you’re able to use a NutraMilk machine (If you’d like to buy one, use discount affiliate code ALPHAFOODIE50 at checkout for a £50/$50 discount. The link is in the recipe card below) , then the process becomes even simpler as you don’t even need to drain the milk.
Simply blend it and decant it straight into a bottle. The nutramilk will then have a small amount of leftover pulp inside to easily remove and use.
I have kept my recipe to an absolute minimum by simply using water and hulled hemp seeds for this recipe. You can also, optionally, add a couple of pitted Medjool dates and a pinch of salt.
For other natural sweeteners, you could add maple syrup, agave nectar, homemade vanilla extract etc. You could also add some cacao powder to make a hemp ‘chocolate milk’.
Note* hulled hemp seeds, otherwise called hemp heart or shelled hemp seeds, are the seed without the crunchy outer shell
The Homemade Hemp Milk Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of shelled hemp seeds
- 4 cups of filtered water
Add the one cup of shelled hemp seeds and four cups of filtered water to a high powered blender or food processor. Blend till smooth and creamy.
If needed, transfer to a nut milk bag and remove the excess seeds. I didn’t need to do this since my NutraMilk food processor did a great job at leaving very little.
The remaining pulp can then either be spooned into your morning porridge or smoothie bowl if you want this recipe to be waste-free. Alternatively, you should be able to compost the pulp.
Voila your milk is ready. This homemade hemp milk should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
If you try this Hemp Milk recipe, I’d love to know your thoughts and/or receive a recipe rating. Also feel free to tag me in your recreations @AlphaFoodie. I’d love to see your favourite ways to use your homemade hemp milk.
For the full plethora of dairy-free homemade milk, feel free to browse through the DIY section of my blog or search ‘milk‘ in the search bar for options including soy, rice, almonds, oats, pistachio, etc.
Simple Homemade Hemp Milk
Suggested Equipment
Instructions
- Add the one cup of shelled hemp seeds and four cups of filtered water to a high powered blender or food processor. Blend till smooth and creamy.
- If needed, transfer to a nut milk bag and drain the milk into a large bowl. I didn't need to do this since my NutraMilk food processor did a great job at leaving very little.
- The remaining pulp can then either be spooned into your morning porridge or smoothie bowl if you want this recipe to be waste-free. Alternatively, you should be able to compost the pulp.
- Voila your milk is ready. This homemade hemp milk should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Heather
Hi. I think you did your calculations for calcium wrong. One cup of hemp hearts has 16 Tbsp in it. A serving of hemp hearts is 3 Tbsp. 16/3=5.3333. Then you multiply by the amount of calcium per serving (19 mg). Which is 101.3333. Then divide by 4 and it is about 25 mg per serving.
Support @ Alphafoodie
Thank you so much for pointing this out, Heather!
Marna Marie' Strauss
Do you use your milk in hot drinks?
Support @ Alphafoodie
Yes, all the time 🙂
JP
This recipe shows a 1 cup serving at 290 calories??
Is this correct?
Support @ Alphafoodie
Thanks for pointing this out. The nutritional information was not taking into account that there was pulp leftover. It’s updated now.
Geoffrey
Can i just use a cheese cloth? Or is a ‘nut milk bag’ more advantageous in some way? Thanks for the great idea! As a regular buyer of hemp hearts, I never considered making my own milk but we have a Vitamix that is begging to be utilized for this!!
Samira @ Alphafoodie
Hi Geoffrey,
You can indeed use a cheesecloth, or a muslin cloth, or even a fine sieve. If the cloth you use doesn’t seem too fine, you can layer 2-3 of them. I hope this helps 🙂
jace
Thanks, I like how you kept it simple. I’ve been buying packaged plant milk but I have a good source of bulk hemp hearts and for some reason never thought of making milk from them till now.
Support @ Alphafoodie
Thanks for your comment. You can always make simple hemp milk or add to it if you prefer – other nuts or seeds or flavors like vanilla.
Winnie
The recipe calls for shelled hemp seed. Will hemp heart work?
Samira @ Alphafoodie
Hi, of course! 100% I do that all the time!