Homemade hemp milk yoghurt

HOMEMADE HEMP YOGURT IS EASY TO MAKE AND LOADED WITH NUTRITION.

Did you know that hemp seeds are one of the most nutritious seeds on the planet? A pretty big claim - but absolutely true. Now, let me also clear up a common misconception before I go on. Hemp is often confused with the cannabis plant - aka marijuana. It does belongs to the same family, but the two plants are very different. Hemp seeds don’t cause any psychoactive reactions and they are completely safe - as well as very healthy to eat. Read on – they may soon become the protein superfood you’ve been looking for! 

Hulled, hemp seeds, look a little bit like sesame seeds with green flecks. They have a mild, nutty flavour with a soft, creamy texture. The dry, hulled seed is a tasty addition to sprinkle on salad and breakfast bowls or combined with other seeds in baking but it can also be emulsified into a high-protein, creamy, plant-based milk that is perfect for culturing into yogurt. In addition to coconut and nut milk yogurt, hemp milk is another dairy-free yogurt alternative for anyone on a paleo, plant-based vegan or vegetarian diet. Before we jump into making yogurt, let’s take a closer look at this super seed. Hemp seeds are:

HIGH IN PROTEIN

Hemp seeds have been tagged as a ‘perfect protein’ because they not only contain all 20 amino acids, but also each of the nine essential amino acids that our bodies cannot produce.

FULL OF GOOD FAT

30% of hemp seed nutrition comes from quality, healthy fats. They contain both omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids essential to good skin health, and a healthy brain!

GREAT FOR DIGESTION

Hemp seeds are high in insoluble and soluble fibre which is essential for a healthy and robust gut. Unlike other nuts, seeds, grains, and legumes, (particularly many vegetarian protein sources), hemp seeds don’t contain phytates, which can interfere with the absorption of essential minerals.

LOADED WITH VITAMINS AND MINERALS

Hemp seeds are also great for hormone balance, heart health and weight loss and contain high amounts of vitamin E, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, sulphur, calcium, iron and zinc.

MAKING HEMP MILK & YOGURT

Hemp seeds are perfect for creating a creamy texture and replacing dairy. And no phytates mean the seeds don’t need to be soaked before-hand, making it a quick and easy seed to convert to milk.

Hemp seed milk will culture, but like other plant-based milks, it will not naturally thicken and set like dairy milk yogurt. Powdered agar agar derived from seaweed, is a great plant-based thickener that produces similar results to gelatin. Also, unlike animal milk, heep seed milk doesn’t naturally contain sugar. The yogurt starter culture or probiotic need something to feed on to allow the culturing process to take place. The little bit of white sugar in this recipe is enough to kick start fermentation.

SWEETENING HEMP YOGURT

Hemp yogurt has a strong, tart and earthy taste that will require more sweetener than other plant-based yogurts. It is best to stir in vanilla and maple syrup (or honey) after fermentation and chilling and then enjoy with lots of sweet berries and fruit.

PIN THIS RECIPE