Hemp latte with cinnamon and cardamom: an autumn drink

Hemp latte is coffee for those who want something thicker than oat and lactose-free drinks. Milk made from hulled hemp seeds has a distinctly nutty flavor, and when blended with cinnamon and cardamom, it gives a profile closer to Middle Eastern cardamom coffee than regular cafe latte. The whole process involves three steps: blend the seeds with water and spices, strain, and combine with espresso. You don't need a portafilter espresso machine or a barista frother; a blender and a regular immersion frother will suffice. The key trick of the recipe is that the spices go into the blender with the seeds, not on the finished foam. Below you will find a recipe for one large glass, the fat composition of the seeds measured in studies, and an honest answer to the question of how much of this composition actually ends up in the cup after straining.

KEY INFORMATION
• Hemp seeds contain about 24.8% protein and 24.5% fat (Siano et al., Molecules 2018); Callaway reports a similar order of magnitude, around 25% protein.
• The fat in the seeds is over 75% polyunsaturated fatty acids, with linoleic acid at 56.1% and alpha-linolenic acid at 14.9% leading the way (Siano et al., 2018).
• The ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids in hemp oil is typically defined by Callaway as 2:1 to 3:1; in the Fedora variety, it was closer to 3.8:1.
• Straining retains a significant portion of protein and mineral components in the cloth, so a glass of latte does not carry the composition of whole seeds.

Why does hemp milk work well in lattes?

Not because it froths better, as it actually loses out to oat and cow's milk in this regard. Cow's milk owes its stable foam to caseins, oat milk to starch; hemp milk has neither, so the foam is light and collapses after a minute or two. This is insufficient for latte art with precise patterns. For coffee consumed at home, it is completely adequate.

Its advantage lies in the fat and what it does with the spices. Hemp seeds contain 24.5% fat according to measurements. Siano i in. (Molecules, 2018), and the aromatic substances of cinnamon and cardamom dissolve in fat. If you throw the spices into the blender with the seeds, they will permeate the entire mass of milk. If you sprinkle them on the finished drink, they will remain on the surface. The difference in intensity is noticeable from the first sip, and this is the real reason why this recipe instructs to blend the spices rather than add them at the end. The same mechanism is used in matcha latte with hemp milk, where powdered tea also goes into the cup before straining.

What do hemp seeds contribute to this drink?

Hemp seeds provide about one quarter of protein and one quarter of fat. Siano and colleagues measured 24.8% protein and 24.5% lipids in them, and Callaway (Euphytica, 2004) reports a similar value in his review, around 25% protein, mentioning edestin and albumin as the two main storage proteins of the seed. The fat profile looks like this:

Values come from cold-pressed oil from the Fedora variety (Siano et al., Molecules 2018). It is worth noting two things. First, gamma-linolenic acid constitutes 3% of the fatty acids, which is a rare component in the daily diet. Second, the ratio of linoleic acid to alpha-linolenic acid here is about 3.8:1, while Callaway reports a typical range for hemp seed oil from 2:1 to 3:1, which he considers beneficial for human health. Therefore, the variety and growing conditions noticeably shift the ratio, and there is no single number for all hemp.

However, there is a caveat that recipes for plant milks usually remain silent about. Blending and straining is not the same as eating the seeds. A significant portion of protein and mineral components remains in what you strain, and primarily an emulsion of fat along with some soluble components passes into the glass. If you care about the full composition of the seeds, do not discard the okara.

What do you need for one glass?

Proportions for one large glass or cup, about 300 ml of finished drink. Whole cardamom seeds provide a more intense aroma than ground, but require crushing in a mortar just before use.

• 4 tablespoons of hulled hemp seeds, about 60 g
• 300 ml zimnej przefiltrowanej wody
• half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• a pinch of ground cardamom or 2 to 3 seeds crushed in a mortar
• a pinch of sea salt
• 30 do 40 ml espresso albo 60 ml mocnej kawy przelewowej
• optional: a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup
• opcjonalnie: szczypta imbiru mielonego albo wanilii

Use hulled seeds, not whole ones. The hull is bitter and produces cloudy milk, and it contributes little on its own: Mattila i in. (Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 2018) they measured 14.2% protein in the hemp hull compared to 25.6% in the whole seed on a dry weight basis, and the content of the main mineral components was lower by 30 to 65%. Hulled seeds break down in a blender in 60 to 90 seconds into a creamy emulsion.

A pinch of salt is not just a garnish: without it, hemp milk tastes flat, as salt brings out the nutty notes of the seeds and balances the bitterness of espresso. Use cold water, as the blender at high speeds generates heat, and a warm emulsion separates even before straining.

How to make hemp latte step by step?

The whole process takes about ten minutes. Brew the espresso while heating the milk so that both ingredients meet hot.

1. Pour hemp seeds into a blender, add 300 ml of cold water, add cinnamon, cardamom, and a pinch of salt. Blend on high speed for 90 seconds until the liquid becomes creamy and starts to smell of spices.
2. Line a strainer with cheesecloth or use a nut milk bag and pour the mixture into a saucepan. Squeeze the cheesecloth tightly, to the last drop. Set aside the pulp with cinnamon; it will be useful for oatmeal or baking.
3. Heat the strained milk over medium heat to about 65 to 70 degrees, or until it starts to steam. Do not bring to a boil, as the emulsion will separate.
4. Immerse an electric frother and froth for 25 to 30 seconds. Alternatively, you can pour the hot milk into a blender jug and blend for 10 seconds, which gives more foam.
5. Brew espresso and pour it into a tall glass. Slowly pour the hot milk over it, holding a spoon at the edge to layer it. Sprinkle the top with a pinch of cinnamon.

How to adapt this recipe to your liking?

The base of seeds and water allows for many modifications, as spices go into the blender, not into the finished drink. You can make a masala version by adding a pinch of ginger, a pinch of black pepper, and two cloves alongside cinnamon and cardamom. This results in milk with a masala chai profile that pairs well with strong espresso.

The caffeine-free version for the evening simply involves omitting the coffee: heat the spiced milk to 70 degrees, froth it, and sweeten with a teaspoon of honey. If you're looking for a ready-made recipe in this spirit, check golden milk for the evening. Prepare the iced version in advance: chill the spiced milk in the fridge, pour it into a glass with ice, and then add double espresso on top, stirring vigorously.

If you want to have hemp milk on hand, make a larger batch without spices and season each glass separately. The technique is the same, just on a different scale, and I detailed it in the text about domowym mleku konopnym krok po kroku. Without preservatives, such a base lasts three days in the fridge and separates between uses, so just shake it before pouring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can hemp milk be frothed for a latte?

Yes, but the foam is light and short-lived. Hemp milk lacks casein, which stabilizes foam in cow's milk, and starch, which does so in oat milk. An electric frother in hot milk produces foam that lasts for a minute or two. This is sufficient for homemade lattes, but not for latte art.

What hemp seeds to choose for latte?

Only hulled. Whole seeds with the hull produce bitter and cloudy milk, and the hull itself is poorer: Mattila et al. (2018) measured 14.2% protein in it compared to 25.6% in the whole seed and 30 to 65% less of the main mineral components. Hulled seeds blend smoothly in 60 to 90 seconds.

What to do with the okara left after straining?

Don't throw it away, as a significant portion of the protein and mineral components of the seeds remains in it. Okara seasoned with cinnamon is great for oatmeal, yogurt, and for muffin or pancake batter. It lasts two days in the fridge and a month in the freezer.

Does cardamom go well with hemp milk coffee?

Cardamom is a classic addition to coffee in Middle Eastern and Scandinavian cuisine, so this combination is not an experiment. With nutty hemp milk, it gives a warm aroma with a citrus note. Two seeds crushed in a mortar are enough for one cup; ground cardamom is more convenient but loses its scent more quickly.

How long does homemade hemp milk last?

Without preservatives, it lasts three days in the fridge in a tightly sealed bottle. Separation is normal and does not indicate spoilage; just shake before pouring. Spoilage is indicated by a sour smell or a bitter aftertaste. Spiced milk spoils at the same rate as pure milk.

The article is informational and educational in nature and does not replace consultation with a doctor. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medications, or have chronic conditions, consult the use of supplements or herbs with a specialist.

Author: Michał Waluk · Opublikowano: 2026-06-08 · Aktualizacja: 2026-08-15