How sustainable is hemp? That’s what I want to explore today! When it comes to being sustainable in the kitchen, I tend to look for seasonal foods, and items without plastic. It’s a little simplistic, but it makes grocery shopping easier, and I can cycle through different nutritious meals throughout the year.
That being said, two items I always have in my kitchen all-year-round are cooking oil, and plant-based milk. Both are so versatile, and for the sheer fact that I use them all the time, I’ve compared the sustainability of both in previous posts: which plant-based milk is best, and which cooking oil is best.
One thing I missed from both of those lists was hemp-based variations. I’m here to rectify that – and show you why hemp oil and hemp milk from Good Hemp are my new favourites!
Hemp Milk: Nutrition, Sustainability, And Taste
When it comes to trying any new plant-based milk, there’s a few factors I like to look into. Ingredients, firstly, which should inform nutrition as well. And then it’s all about the taste, consistency, and if it works well in coffee!
Good Hemp’s creamy seed milk is made with just three ingredients: water, hemp seed base, and a stabiliser. This makes it low in carbohydrates, and it’s naturally low in saturated fat too. The added bonus is hemp’s omega 3 and omega 6 oils, which are more than many other plant-based milks out there.
Now onto taste – having tried it pure, I can tell you it tastes a little like hemp, and has a thin, skimmed milk consistency. So far I’ve tried it splashed in tea and coffee, and I’m happy to say it works well for a plant-based milk! There’s no splitting, and the naturally white colour makes both drinks look appetising too.
Hemp Oil: Smoke Point, Nutrition, And Flavour
When it comes to hemp oil, I’m a total convert. Compared to other cooking oils, Good Hemp’s original oil is quite versatile, perfect for cooking (with a smoke point of 165 °C) as well as drizzling over salad.
And nutrition-wise, it’s great too. Naturally low in saturated fat (9.4%) it beats all oils on my list except rapeseed oil, and even trumps that with its added bonus of omegas 3, 6, and 9.
I’ve tried this oil in cooking, and on salad too. It’s been great in bringing a light, nutty flavour to both. I’d actually like to give their extra virgin hemp seed oil a go, to see if that’s even better than this one!
Is Hemp Better For The Environment?
Yes! I’m delighted to say hemp is one of the best options around when it comes to sustainable food. If you’re a little nerdy about food sustainability like me, I’m sure this will be good news.
In fact, it is one of the most sustainable crops grown in the UK and Europe. I learnt all about it when I first visited Amsterdam – discovering that hemp is an incredibly versatile crop, and can also support more sustainable practices within food, fashion, and other industries.
Good Hemp grows their crops in North Devon, without herbicides or pesticides as it grows so well without any chemical interference. This is far more local than many other oil or plant-based milk options – soya, for example, is often grown in South America and is contributing to the deforestation crisis there.
Hemp is also brilliant for soil health – returning 60-70% of nutrients back into the soil over its lifespan. This permits better farming practices and supports natural wildlife.
So, next time you’re shopping for plant-based milk, or a good oil, look for Good Hemp. They’re my new favourite!
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Good Hemp and contains affiliate links. All views and opinions are my own.
