Cannabis' cousin is the coolest new health food. Hemp products are highly nutritious and are being transformed into everything from milk alternatives to body creams.
Hemp as Food
Hemp products are hitting the food market in a big way. Since 1998, Canadian hemp farmers have been permitted to grow industrial hemp, which is the same species as marijuana (Cannabis sativa) but without the psychoactive compounds.
Besides being turned into sturdy, durable clothing, hemp is processed into cosmetic products and a variety of foods. The seeds are sold in whole form or turned into powder, snack foods, oils and beer.
Benefits of Eating Hemp
- Nearly one-third is grown organically
- All hemp is GMO-free
- There are no registered pesticides or herbicides associated with hemp in Canada
Taste
Hemp has an earthy flavour and a gritty texture. Those who have tried hemp “protein powders” or hemp seeds often note it tastes "like cardboard”.
Unfortunately, the hemp milk is no different. Its grey colour is a good indication of the lacklustre flavour. Don’t expect a creamy soy or a sweet almond milk here. Hemp milk is a different species, and definitely tastes like it should be healthy.
Hemp Nutrition
Hemp seeds are one of the few vegetarian foods with a high omega-3 content. Hemp is the only complete plant protein besides soy.
Hemp Bliss is similar to soy milk in calories, fat and protein; however, it is not fortified with vitamins and minerals to make it similar to cow’s milk.
For example, Hemp Bliss has only 20 mg calcium per cup, compared to 300 mg for cow’s milk. It does stand out in iron (3.6 mg, or 20% of the daily value) whereas cow’s milk has none.
The nutritional breakdown of Hemp Bliss is as follows (per cup):
- Calories: 110
- Carbohydrates: 7 grams
- Sugar: 6 grams
- Fibre: 1 gram
- Fat: 7 grams (1.2 grams are omega-3 and 4.0 grams are omega-6, for a ratio of ~1:3)
- Protein: 5 grams
- Sodium: 95 milligrams
Hemp Bliss "Original" Flavour Ingredients:
Filtered Water, Organic Hemp Seeds, Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Sea Salt, Xanthan Gum.
Hemp Bliss is
- Preservative-free
- Lactose Free
- Soy Free.
- Gluten Free
- Cholesterol Free (like all plant foods)
- Nut Free
Summary
Good things about Hemp Bliss beverage:
- Natural with no artificial preservatives or ingredients
- Fairly low in sugar and salt (sodium)
- High in omega-3 fats
- Moderate in protein
- Vegan and vegetarian
- Lactose free
- Certified Organic
Not-so-Good Things:
- Expensive. Nearly $5.00 per one-litre carton. Compared to organic soy milk, rice milk, or almond milk ($2.99 - $3.49), hemp is substantially more expensive.
- Grainy in texture
- Bland and earthy in taste
- Grey and unappealing in colour
The Bottom Line:
Manitoba Harvest hemp milk is not a beverage most people would drink for pleasure. Its superior omega-3 content makes it a healthy choice and a new way to get healthy fats into a vegetarian diet. Mixed into a fruit smoothie or cooked into a hot cereal it might be more palatable. Vanilla flavour is better than plain.
Hemp seed products are an acquired taste. It may be less offensive to start out sprinkling hemp nuts on salad rather than pouring hemp milk onto your morning cereal.
For brave, health-conscious folks with money to burn, hemp milk could be a convenient way to get a daily dose of healthy fats and protein.
But for regular people, stick to alternatives like soy or flaxseed.
References:
1. Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance
2. Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods and Oils
