What is hemp milk?
There are plenty of milk alternatives to choose from nowadays but today, we’re here to tell you about hemp milk! If you haven’t read our “What exactly is Hemp?” article, then here’s some background for you. Hemp milk is made from the seeds of the Cannabis sativa plant. Don’t get confused though, hemp milk will not alter your state of mind! Even though hemp and marijuana come from the same plant, their genetics and cultivation process are different. The products that are recreational and medicinal are made from the flowers of the cannabis sativa plant. Whereas, hemp milk is made from the seeds of the plant.
How is it made?
Hemp milk can be made by blending water and the seeds of the hemp plant together. Sweeteners and vanilla extract can be added too! It’s flavor is often described as earthy and nutty, but unlike soy and almond milk, hemp milk’s consistency can be a little thicker. It really all depends on how you make it or which brand you decide to use.
What are the benefits?
Hemp milk not only benefits our body but it’s also sustainable and awesome for our planet! It can be challenging to find both of those aspects in a plant because it’s usually one or the other. Let’s review its benefits!
1. It’s perfect for allergen-free diets.
Did you know that every 3 minutes a food allergy reaction sends someone to an emergency room? Many Americans, 32 million to be more specific, suffer from food allergies. FARE, the Food Allergy Research and Education, have reported that there are more than 170 million foods that cause reactions in the US. However, there are 8 major food allergens that are responsible for food allergy reactions:
- Milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish
Since hemp milk is free of nuts, dairy, soy, and wheat, it makes the perfect milk alternative to those who suffer with allergies. Don’t forget that it’s loaded with awesome nutrients too!
2. It’s good for the planet!
The cannabis sativa plant is a natural resistant to critters and pests. This means that farmers don’t need to use pesticides or harmful chemicals on their crops because the plant does it on it’s own. This is great because these chemicals often pollute Earth’s soil and water! It’s also important to note that unlike other cash crops, hemp grows at an accelerated pace. It doesn’t require nearly as many resources to thrive as other plant do. But get this, not only is the hemp plant a natural repellant and a resourceful species, it has the ability to combat global warming! Incredible, right? This is the process.
Photosynthesis
First, hemp takes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to form carbohydrates that structure the plant.
At the end of the process, oxygen is released back into the atmosphere.
Removing carbon dioxide from our atmosphere = the reversal of global warming.
Even though trees and other crops can aid in removing CO2 from our environments, they usually take significantly longer to grow and require a lot more space. Since hemp plants can be placed closer together, it makes a bigger impact on the greenhouse effect!
3. It can help prevent heart disease.
Hemp milk is rich in the amino acid, arginine. Arginine transforms into nitric oxide, a neurotransmitter (the body’s chemical messengers) that aids the blood vessels in the body to relax and improve circulation. Getting a good amount of arginine could help improve your heart health!
Let’s wrap it up!
All in all, hemp milk has a vast amount of factors that can aid our bodies and our planet! It’s can be difficult to find a milk alternative that possesses both of those factors so we’re thrilled to be sharing this information with you! You can buy hemp milk at local grocery stores or you can also make your own at home. Here’s our recipe!
Recipe
Tools
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Electric mixer
- Serving/storing cup
- Clean thin towel (for straining, optional)
Ingredients
- Hulled hemp seeds (½ cup)
- Water (3-4 cups)
- Nature’s Flavors SweetenFX (1 tablespoon, optional)
- Nature’s Flavors Natural Vanilla Extract (½ teaspoon, optional)
The Process
- To begin, combine the hemp seeds, water, salt, SweetenFX, and the vanilla extract in a high speed blender. Blend for about a minute or until your mixture looks like it’s been well combined.
- Make any adjustments if necessary and if you decide to strain your milk, now would be the time!
- Transfer your milk to your serving glasses or a sealed storage container and enjoy!
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