Hemp Milk

Whether lactose bugs your tummy, you’re fretting over the carbon footprint of big agriculture dairy farming or just desire something different for your palate than moo juice, you’re in luck. These days, you can sport a white mustache that comes from an increasing number of different beans, grains, nuts and seeds. Made from crushed hemp seeds, hemp milk is a serious contender for the best non-dairy milk alternative.

More than any other alternative dairy drink, delighting in a cold glass of hemp milk will give your diet a boost of essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that are critical for overall wellbeing. In fact, hemp milk contains roughly twice the amount of the nutritional powerhouse omega-3 fat which offers protection against heart disease than its nearest non-dairy beverage competitor.

Hemp milk is also the only non-dairy beverage that contains an omega-6 fat called gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Some scientists believe that GLA can help us dodge inflammatory diseases such as Alzheimer’s, arthritis and heart disease.

With 4 to 5 grams of protein per cup, only soy milk has more among faux milks. This protein is particularly easy to digest due to an absence of trypsin inhibitors (trypsin is an enzyme that aids in protein absorption) found in legumes such as soy.

Hemp milk also supplies many other must-have nutrients such as magnesium, potassium, manganese, iron (not found in cows’ milk) and zinc.

Like other dairy alternatives, hemp milk is free of lactose so it’s a godsend for lactose intolerant individuals. It also comes sans oligosaccharides – an irritant found in soy milk that can cause stomach unrest in some people.

What’s more, no pesticides or herbicides are used in the growing or processing of sturdy hemp for food production. And unlike much of the non-organic soy grown in North America, hemp seeds used for hemp milk production are never genetically modified.

Rich and creamy, hemp milk has a distinctive taste that resembles that of sunflower seeds. It is sure to be a hit even among the most ardent milk lovers. It can be enjoyed on its own, blended into smoothies, steamed into lattes, or the float for your cereal. But make sure to give it a good shake before pouring. If you’re concerned over sugar intake, opt for unsweetened brands.

My favorite brand is Manitoba Harvest (www.manitobaharvest.com) which can be found in many health foods shops and larger supermarkets.

Banana Hemp Pancakes with Blueberry Maple Sauce













A perfect way to start your Sunday.

Makes 6 pancakes

1 cup spelt or whole-wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 ripe banana, mashed
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ cup plain hemp milk
1 egg, beaten
1/3 cup walnuts
½ cup blueberries
¼ cup pure maple syrup

In a blender, mix together blueberries and maple syrup. Set aside. In a bowl, mix together flour and baking powder. Mix in banana, cinnamon, hemp milk, walnuts and then egg. Mix until smooth. Add in more hemp milk if necessary until you get desired consistency (not to clumpy). Drop batter onto skillet with a 1/3 cup measuring cup and cook for about 2-3 minutes per side. Serve topped with blueberry sauce.

Hot Chocolate Hemp Milk












This drink is almost impossibly rich.

Makes 1 serving

1 cup plain or chocolate hemp milk
1 ounce dark chocolate bar
Dash of cayenne

In a small pot, bring hemp milk to a simmer over medium heat. Stir in dark chocolate and cayenne and mix until the chocolate is melted and the drink is smooth.