Organic Hemp Protein Powder: An ex-HEMP-lary Plant-Based Protein!

What is Hemp Protein Powder?

Organically grown in Europe, our hemp protein powder comes from the seeds found on the hemp plant.

The Hemp seeds are ground up and squeezed so that the oil is extracted from them. This process removes most of the fat too. What remains is commonly known as ‘hemp seed cake’ - which sounds pretty amazing, right?! It is this hemp cake that is milled and turned into powder. The powder is then sifted to become hemp flour. This flour is a high-fibre product but one that’s also lower in protein. The flour then gets sifted again (to a much finer degree) which removes a lot of the fibre content, leaving just high quality pure organic protein hemp powder behind.

Is hemp good for you?

Hemp is considered a high-quality vegan protein and contains all nine essential amino acids, plus fibre, healthy fats and minerals.

Despite the extraction of fat during processing, the powder contains roughly 10% of the original fat content. They are healthy fats like Omega 3 and 6 which help the heart stay healthy. These fatty acids also help keep skin and bones healthy too.

Hemp seeds are an incredibly rich source of minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, iron, manganese, zinc and copper. What’s more, hemp seeds contain compounds called lignanamides which have strong antioxidant properties. It is thought that most of these compounds and minerals are also found in the finished product of Hemp Powder! It is for this reason that we would class hemp as a superfood which is essentially a type of food or supplement which has a particularly high density of nutrients, gram for gram.

The plant proteins found in Hemp Powders are edestin and albumin. These globular proteins are responsible for enzyme functions that produce antibodies, therefore making Hemp Protein a good immune-boosting supplement.

However, there is still some debate as to the level of other amino acids in Hemp Protein. One study found that the amino acid profile of hemp protein is similar to egg whites and soy, which are both high-quality protein sources. Yet other studies have shown that hemp has relatively low levels of the essential amino acid lysine, making it a poorer quality option for that nutrient. Regardless, a 20g serving of TheHealthyTree Hemp Protein Powder contains:

An impressive 9.8g of Protein
2g Carbohydrates
2.2g Fat
2.6g Fibre
72 calories

With that in mind, it’s easy to see why many people choose this well-rounded powder as a dietary supplement to help towards a healthier lifestyle. Whilst there is less protein in hemp than alternatives such as whey protein or pea protein, you won't find anywhere near as many nutrients and amino acids as you will in hemp.

Our tip - if you want more protein in your shake, smoothie or meal, combine hemp protein (i.e. 50% of your serving) to get the nutrient value + protein with another higher protein content powder such as pea, rice or whey!

What does it taste like?

For those who think Hemp Protein Powder is for them, it might be useful to know what it looks, taste and smells like.

It has a pleasantly earthy smell and looks brownish-green in colour. The taste could also be described as earthy or grassy and to some it has nutty undertones. While many people enjoy the taste of hemp protein powder, others find it too strong. So it might be worth trying a small amount of hemp protein to see if you enjoy it before buying it in bulk.

Since hemp protein is less refined than other types of protein powders, it’s slightly grittier in texture. It’s most commonly consumed in a shake or smoothies as it can have a sandy texture when stirred with water/milk/nut milk only.

Adults should aim for between 10-20g of Hemp Protein Powder per serving. However, people who exercise need more protein to maintain their muscle mass so consider 2 servings per day.

Need some inspiration for including Hemp Protein Powder in your diet?

Try blitzing a combination of fruit and milk of your choice with a scoop of hemp protein powder for a tasty and nutritional smoothie.
Add a teaspoon or tablespoon to your porridge next time. Don’t forget to add a bit of honey or sweetener if you have a sweet tooth.
Add a scoop to stews, soups, casseroles or broth for an extra protein boost.

Hemp protein may turn your food and drink slightly green in color, but don’t be alarmed. The green color comes from the natural chlorophyll content found in Hemp Protein Powder.

Please get in touch any time if you want any Hemp Protein Powder Recipes.

You can buy organic hemp protein powder online from our UK superfood store. Or, find us on Amazon on all European Marketplaces, together with many other organic superfoods, by entering TheHealthyTree Company into the search bar. Enjoy!