Americans love their coffee. 54% of adults have at least one cup a day, and of those only 35% prefer it black. What happens if someone finds that they have an intolerance or allergy to lactose, or becomes a vegan, or decides on other health or ethical grounds not to drink milk or cream? Is there a substitute, apart from artificial creamers?
Milk Substitutes
The short answer is yes, there are several sources of natural alternatives to cow’s milk. For a start, anyone who is allergic to cow’s milk may well find that goat’s milk is an excellent choice.
Several vegetable alternatives to milk are also available. These include:
- Almond. Very popular but with a highly distinctive taste.
- Hazelnut. New kid on the block, but may grow in popularity.
- Rice. Rather tasteless and doesn’t foam well.
What about Hemp?
Hemp milk is currently attracting a lot of interest among coffee lovers. It is made from the seeds of the hemp plant, varieties of which are also the source of marijuana—this means that it is illegal to grow the plants in the some areas of the US, although the seeds themselves contain none of the active ingredient THC, or so little that there is no psychoactive effect. Although hemp cannot in be grown in many areas of the US, it is grown for many purposes in other countries, and sterilized seeds can be imported. These are used for making hemp milk.
- Benefits of Hemp
As the aroma floats from your coffee grinder, will your taste buds be titillated by the prospect of a hemp seed whitener? A lot of coffee fans say yes.
The taste is generally reckoned to be a good one. It has a definite taste of its own, and it takes some getting used to, but many coffee drinkers believe that it marries well with the coffee flavor. The texture is creamy, and its protein makes it very suitable for steaming.
Health benefits of Hemp Milk:
- Minerals. The milk contains calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. These three are important for healthy bones and muscles. They also help to keep your blood pressure at a good level.
- Vitamins. Hemp milk contains vitamins A, B12, E, and D, all of which are essential for good health. Blood, skin, bones, nerves, and muscles all need these vitamins.
- Low in saturated fat and sugar. Unlike whole cow’s milk, hemp milk is very low in saturated fat and helps as part of your diet to control your cholesterol levels. There is no sugar naturally in the hemp seeds, although many of the available processed options have added syrup which you would need to check.
A Viable Option
There are plenty of alternatives available for someone who wants to stop taking milk in their coffee but still wants the creamy effect. Hemp milk, though not the easiest to get hold of, is a very viable option, and many coffee drinkers find that it becomes their favorite additive.
This is interesting. I have used both the almond milk and a soy creamer, but I will be on the look out for hemp milk.
HI Carol,
Good luck with the hemp milk – I know I have found it at my local Health Food Store or on-line. Have a healthy, happy & blessed Thanksgiving. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
I love all non-dairy mills so much! I’m always rotating, lately I’ve been drinking cashew milk, but I agree hemp milk is fantastic too!
HI Andrea,
Hemp is filled with so much protein and health and sure is a great alternative for dairy. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Have a healthy, happy & blessed day!!