Best Hemp Milk – in this post I wanted to get into plant-based milk alternatives, specifically Hemp Milk. Yes, that is right I am going to be talking about everything you need to know about Hemp Milk (including what is Hemp Milk, what it tastes like, its health benefits, etc) and what I think are the best Hemp Milk brands available. And yes, to address the elephant in the room, hemp and cannabis both come from the same species of plant, Cannabis Sativa. Don’t worry though, these seeds won’t get you “high” as I will explain below. Instead, they make for some of the best plant-based milk out there – especially when it comes to coffee. So, what is Hemp Milk, how is it made, and what exactly is available out there? Let’s find out.
Hemp Milk – Varieties and Availability
There are a number of Hemp Milks on the market including the following varieties:
- sweetened Hemp Milk;
- unsweetened Hemp Milk;
- vanilla Hemp Milk;
- chocolate Hemp Milk;
- barista style Hemp Milk; and
- powdered Hemp Milk concentrate.
Hemp Milk is a healthy milk alternative and is high in omega 3 and omega 6.
Summary Table – Best Hemp Milks
Best Original Hemp Milks | Pacifica Original Hemp Milk Living Harvest Tempt Original Hemp Milk |
Best Unsweetened Hemp Milks | Pacifica Unsweetened Hemp Milk Living Harvest Tempt Unsweetened Hemp Milk |
Best Unsweetened Vanilla Hemp Milks | Pacifica Unsweetened Vanilla Hemp Milk Living Harvest Tempt Hemp Milk Unsweetened Vanilla |
Best Unsweetened Chocolate Hemp Milk | Manitoba Harvest Hemp Yeah! Unsweetened Chocolate Hemp Milk |
Best Barista Style Hemp Milk | Elmhurst Barista Edition Hemp Milk |
Best Hemp Milk Concentrate To Make At Home | Good Mylk Organic Unsweetened Hemp Milk Concentrate |
Hemp Milk – Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hemp Milk?
Hemp Milk, or hemp seed milk, is plant-based milk made from hemp seeds. Similar to other plant-based milk, it is made by soaking hemp seeds in water and then blending. This blended mixture is then strained (either in a strainer or cheesecloth) to produce the final plant-based milk.
What Does Hemp Milk Taste Like?
Hemp Milk is creamy, nutty, and slightly sweet. Think of the taste of Chia Seeds used to make a Chia Pudding and you are there when it comes to flavor.
It is made from the seeds of the same plant used to make cannabis. The seeds do not contain any THC delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol – the psychoactive part of cannabis.
Are Hemp and Marijuana the Same Thing?
While they come from the same species of plant (Cannabis) Hemp and Marijuana plants have been grown for different purposes. Hemp has traditionally been bred for its fiber (think hemp clothing, bags, etc) properties and marijuana for…well, its narcotic components. The result is a plant that looks and smells alike but has very different chemical properties.
In the words of the Food and Drug Administration (the FDA):
“Hemp seeds are the seeds of the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa. Although hemp is from the same species as cannabis (marijuana), the seeds themselves do not naturally contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis.”
To answer your question then – yes, Hemp and Marijuana come from the same species of plant, but they are different. However, again according to the FDA:
“…hemp seed-derived ingredients…contain only trace amounts of THC and CBD, which the seeds may pick up during harvesting and processing when they are in contact with other parts of the plant. Consumption of these hemp seed-derived ingredients is not capable of making consumers “high”.“
Does Hemp Milk Contain CBD?
CBD can only be found in the buds and flowers of the cannabis plant. As Hemp Milk is made from the seeds, not the buds or flowers of the cannabis plant, Hemp Milk does not contain CBD. The seeds of the cannabis plant do not contain any THC delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol – the psychoactive part of cannabis.
In fact, Hemp contains below 0.3 percent of THC – which will not get you high.
Does Hemp Milk Have Health Benefits?
Unlike a lot of other plant-based milk, Hemp Milk contains essential amino acids – in fact, it contains all ten essential amino acids. Hemp Milk is also high in omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids (in comparison dairy milk is not a good source of omega 3 and omega 6).
The omega 3 and omega 6 are in the perfect ratio of 1:3 which is anti-inflammatory and promotes brain and heart health. Hemp Milk is also a better source of protein and healthy fats than a lot of other plant-based milk. It is also a great source of calcium.
Hemp Milk is also naturally high in vitamin A and micronutrients like magnesium, zinc, and phosphorus. And, finally, Hemp Milk contains riboflavin which is great for eye health.
Is Hemp Milk Anti-Inflammatory?
As I mention above, Hemp Milk contains omega 3 and 6 fatty acids in the perfectly ideal ratio is 1:3. This 1:3 ratio of omega 3 and 6 is anti-inflammatory.
Is Hemp Milk Good in Coffee?
The creamy, nutty, and slightly sweet taste of Hemp Milk works great in coffee. Hemp Milk also tends to have a slightly thicker texture than other plant-based milk, making it great to steam and used for coffee and latte art.
Want To Know More About Plant-Based Milk?
Are you into plant-based milk? Maybe you just want to learn more. If you do, check out my post on the best Vegan Half & Half available. Or just find out what a Vegan Half & Half even is? Check out my post here: How To Pick The Best Vegan Half & Half Milks.
9 of The Best Hemp Milks
1. Elmhurst Barista Edition Hemp Milk
Elmhurst Hemp Milk is made from the cream of hemp seeds (not just the oil) making it a great hemp option for adding to coffee. It is also made with just six ingredients (including oat). You can try Elmhurst Barista Hemp Milk from Amazon here.
If you are looking for thicker Hemp Milk to foam in coffee then Elmhurst may be the Hemp Milk for you.
2. Manitoba Harvest Hemp Yeah! Unsweetened Chocolate Hemp Milk
Like the idea of adding chocolate Hemp Milk to your smoothie, cereal, or coffee? If so, then you must try Hemp Yeah chocolate Hemp Milk from Amazon.
It also doesn’t contain added sugar which I think makes this Hemp Milk particularly stand out.
3. Good Mylk Organic Unsweetened Hemp Milk Concentrate
Do you fancy whipping up your own Hemp Milk in the mornings? If so, then definitely try this Good Mylk concentrate pack from Amazon.
The pack consists of 6 x 10-ounce frozen packets of Hemp Milk concentrate. It arrives frozen and makes 6 quarts of fresh Hemp Milk. It also contains the bottle to mix your Hemp Milk in. A little extra work, if I am honest, but the frozen element means you can store these for longer periods of time if you are looking to limit waste.
Good Mylk hemp concentrate also has an insanely simple ingredient list consisting of certified organic raw hemp seeds, alkaline water, and ancient mineral salt.
4. Pacifica Unsweetened Hemp Milk
If you want unsweetened Hemp Milk this Pacifica unsweetened Hemp Milk is a great option. It contains added vitamin D2 and has no sugar added. You can grab a carton from Amazon here.
5. Pacifica Unsweetened Vanilla Hemp Milk
Pacifica, along with Living Harvest, is one of the bigger Hemp Milk brands I have come across (hence why they get three entries on this list) and probably most regularly use – mostly because of their availability. This Pacifica Hemp Milk is perfect if you want a sugar-free option but still want a hint of vanilla in your coffee. You can pick some up from Amazon here.
6. Pacifica Original Hemp Milk
If you want to try the Pacifica Hemp Milk brand but like your milk with a touch of sweetness, then try the Pacifica original Hemp Milk which is sweetened with brown rice syrup. You can try it from Amazon here.
7. Living Harvest Tempt Unsweetened Original Hemp Milk
Living Harvest is the World’s number 1 hemp food company (again why they get three entries on this list). Their Tempt Hemp Milk has D2, B12, and vitamin A added so is a great vitamin-packed Hemp Milk option.
If you want to try Living Harvest’s unsweetened Hemp Milk you can from Amazon here.
8. Living Harvest Tempt Hemp Milk Unsweetened Vanilla
If you want to try Living Harvest’s unsweetened vanilla Hemp Milk, you can from Amazon.
9. Living Harvest Tempt Original Hemp Milk
If you like your coffee with a touch of sweetness then you can try Living Harvest’s original Hemp Milk (which is sweetened with evaporated cane sugar and brown rice syrup) from Amazon here.
Best Hemp Milk – The Final Sip
Best Hemp Milk – wow, when it came to Hemp Milk who knew it would be so complicated? Just getting to the bottom of whether it comes from a narcotic-inducing plant took me long enough to research and work out. The good news is that we have learned that Hemp and Marijuana are two different things. Hemp Seeds can be safely used to make plant-based milk – one that is nutty and creamier in texture. I personally don’t think Hemp Milk is as neutral in flavor as some Almond milk can be, but its thicker texture and health benefits are where it really shines. If you are looking to try Hemp Milk, you will most likely come across Pacifica or Living Harvest brands of Hemp Milk – both are pretty good. If you must pick one, I would go for the vanilla – as I think this can help you adjust to the different flavorings of hemp milk. And remember, no matter how much Hemp Milk you drink it isn’t going to get you high – sorry, I guess…
…now you know.
Like What You Are Reading
Want to know what is and is not vegan at other coffee chains and restaurants, such as Dunkin’ Donuts (including all of their Holiday Drinks), Coffee Bean, Dunkin’ Donuts, Peet’s, Philz, or Dutch Bros. If you do, then check out my other posts below:
- What Drinks Are Not Vegan? Complete Guide Of Drinks To Avoid
- 20 of the All-Time Best Vegan Drinks at Starbucks
- 10 of the All-Time Best Vegan Drinks at Dunkin’
- 10 Vegan Drinks at Costa You Need To Know About
- 10 Vegan Drinks at Dutch Bros You Need To Know
- Vegan Holiday Drinks at Starbucks
- Vegan Holiday Drinks at Dunkin’
- How To Order Vegan Coffee? What Every Vegan Must Know
- How to Actually Order Vegan Starbucks Drinks
- Vegan Drinks at Dunkin’ Donuts – How to Actually Order Vegan
- Vegan Drinks at Dutch Bros – How To Really Order Vegan
- Vegan Drinks at Gloria Jean’s – How To Know What’s Vegan
- Vegan Drinks at Peet’s – How to Know What’s Vegan
- Vegan Drinks at Philz – How to Actually Order Vegan
- Vegan Drinks at Panera – How to Know What Is Vegan
- Vegan Drinks at Coffee Bean – How to Order Vegan
- Vegan Drinks at Biggby Coffee – How To Really Order Vegan
- Vegan Drinks at Costa – How To Order Vegan
- Vegan Drinks at Scooter’s – How To Order Vegan Coffee
- Is Starbucks Pumpkin Spiced Latte Vegan? The Amazing Truth
- Vegan Drinks at McDonald’s – The Complete Guide For Vegans
- Vegan Drinks at Taco Bell – How To Order Vegan
- Revealing The Best Vegan Holiday Drinks at Coffee Chains
- Vegan Drinks at Wawa – How to Make Your Drink Vegan
- Vegan Drinks at Burger King, Wendy’s Sonic, Sheetz & Cheesecake Factory
- Best Vegan Kefir Drinks – Including One You Can Make At Home
- How To Pick The Best Vegan Half & Half Milks