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Hemp Milk (Real Food, Paleo, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Nut Free, Whole30, Vegan)

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I tend to rely on canned coconut milk for most culinary applications  but depending on how much I use on a regular basis, quality coconut milk can become pricey very quickly.

On days when I am the only one having a smoothie, opening up a can of coconut milk is not the best choice since I will most likely get stuck with part of a can of milk to use up - and I usually forget!

I like making my own dairy free milk for various reasons:

1.  I can make only what I need - no forgotten can or box of something at the back of the fridge.
2.  I can vary the type of milk depending on how I plan to use it.
3.  I can make dairy free milk with what I have on hand - whether it be nuts, seeds, or even unsweetened shredded coconut,
4.  It is super easy.  Most of my food, beverages, personal and household products, natural remedies, and even some clothes are handmade.  But it is all handmade BECAUSE it is easy.

Hemp, though related to marijuana, is not considered the same as the recreational plant.  According to Wikipedia, hemp has much lower concentrations of THC, with higher levels being found in marijuana.  And hemp contains higher concentrations of CBD, which decreases or eliminates any psychoactive effect.

Hemp has historically been used for clothes, rope making, paper, and many other things,  And this versatile crop is considered a superfood, too.  Its nutritional amino acid profile is comparable to that of meat, milk, and eggs and hemp seeds are a rich source of essential fatty acids and dietary minerals.

I found Nutiva brand of hemp seeds at my local Costco and I started replacing rice or bread crumbs in some recipes with hemp seeds with great success.  Then I made hemp milk one day for a smoothie and loved it.  Hemp milk has a slight nutty flavor, making it ideal for smoothies or blending with eggs to dip slices of gluten-free bread in when making French toast.

I keep my hemp milk unsweetened, as usual, but free free to add a small amount of maple syrup or raw honey, if desired.  If using this milk to drink plain, I might also suggest a small amount of alcohol-free vanilla extract.

For my personal smoothie, I cut the recipe in half, and add all of my other ingredients - no need to strain.


Homemade Hemp Milk
  • 3 cups cool filtered water
  • 2/3 cup raw, shelled hemp seeds (I use this one)
  • sweetener of choice: raw honey, maple syrup (optional)
  • pinch of salt, optional (if drinking plain)
  • 1/4 teaspoon alcohol-free vanilla, optional (if drinking plain)

In a blender jar, place the water and hemp seeds and blend until smooth - about 30 seconds, when using a high powered blender like a Vitamix.  If not using a high powered blender, blend a total of 60 seconds.

Strain, if desired - though I skip this part - into a glass container with a tight fitting lid.  Use immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Stir the milk well before serving.






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