Hemp Milk vs Coconut Milk: Which is Better?  

It can be intimidating walking into a store and staring down the massive amount of milk choices out there…

If you’re looking at plant-based milks, you may have stumbled across coconut milk and hemp milk, which are fairly unique options with some unique differences! But which one is better?

Well, to figure that out we’re going to have to jump right in and compare the two side-by-side, checking out their allergens, uses, flavors, textures, and much more! That’ll highlight their pros and cons over one another, helping us see exactly which one is better!

So, let’s check out whether you should get hemp milk or coconut milk!

Comparing hemp milk vs coconut milk 

Hemp milk and coconut milk are both plant-based. Hemp milk has no allergens, while coconut milk has tree nuts as an allergen – many people that have tree nut allergies can safely eat coconut products, so talk to your physician to be safe!

One of the best things about hemp milk and coconut milk is that you can use them for vegan, paleo, and keto diets – they’re super versatile!

	Hemp milk	Coconut milk
Type	Plant-based (nut/seed)	Plant-based (nut milk)
Allergens	None	Tree nuts*
Vegan?	Yes	Yes
Paleo?	Yes	Yes
Keto?	Yes	Yes

*Most people with tree nut allergies can consume coconut products, so talk to your physician!

Differences between hemp milk and coconut milk

The main difference between hemp milk and coconut milk is how they taste and feel.

Hemp milk has a naturally nutty flavor and is thick and creamy – its texture is very similar (but a touch thicker) to 2% regular milk! It’s made by soaking and blending hemp seeds with water, and is really easy to make at home. Plus, you can get sweetened or unsweetened versions depending on your preferences.

Also, the hemp seeds are the non-psychoactive part of the cannabis plant, so don’t worry about getting high!

Coconut milk has a coconut flavor with nutty undertones, and comes in carton coconut milk and canned coconut milk versions.

Carton coconut milk is the one that you drink, and is made by blending thicker coconut milk or coconut cream with water. It boasts a creamy, but much thinner texture than hemp milk. 

Canned coconut milk is mostly solid at room temperature, and is generally used for making coconut-inspired dishes! It’s made by heating high-fat coconut pulp in hot water and then extracting the liquid from the solid pulp. 

How to use hemp milk vs coconut milk 

Try using your hemp milk and coconut milk in these great ways:

Hemp milk:

• Enjoy on its own as a drink. 
• Pour it over your cereal or granola.
• Mix into your oatmeal and smoothies for a creamy texture.
• Add it to pancake and waffle batter.
• Use it in your coffee or tea. 

Coconut milk:

• Enjoy it as a dairy-free beverage.
• Make coconut creamer with it.
• Add it to your smoothies.
• Splash it over your cereal or into your oatmeal.
• Bake and cook with it for a tropical addition.
• Make coconut yogurt.

Can you substitute hemp milk for coconut milk?

Generally speaking, yes you can. However, this gets a little tricky due to their flavor and texture differences. That said, feel free to experiment with them in different things (like smoothies and oatmeal) to see how their differing flavor and texture profiles react – you might find some delicious creations!

Nutrition: Hemp milk vs coconut milk

Hemp milk and coconut milk are similar in calories, and are quite similar in total fat – coconut milk has more saturated fat, however. They’re both really low in carbs, and have no sugar in them (coconut milk has less than 1 gram per serving). 

Coconut milk is very poor in protein, with none at all – hemp milk has 3 grams per serving. Hemp milk will give you 20% of your daily value for calcium and 10% of your daily value for vitamin D, while coconut milk will give you 45% and 20%, respectively.

Per 1 cup (237 ml/8 oz.)	Hemp milk	Coconut milk
Calories	60	40
Total fat (saturated)	4.5 g (0 g)	4 g (3.5 g)
Total carbs	0 g	2 g
Total sugars (incl. added)	0 g	<1 g (0 g)
Protein	3 g	0 g
Calcium	20% DV	45% DV
Vit D	10% DV	20% DV

How to store hemp milk and coconut milk

Store your hemp milk in a cool, dark pantry if it’s shelf-stable and bought from the store, but put it in the fridge after you open it and finish it within 7-10 days of opening for the best quality. If you make it yourself, store it in the fridge in an airtight container, and try to consume it within 5 days.

Carton coconut milk should be stored in the fridge and be finished up within 5-7 days after opening for the best freshness. Canned coconut milk should be stored in an airtight container inside the fridge after it’s opened, and be used up within 7 days for best results.

That said, you can freeze your coconut milk and store it for up to a month!

Hemp milk vs coconut milk: Which is better?

Hemp milk and coconut milk are both great plant-based options that boast unique pros and cons. A lot of it comes down to flavor preferences, as coconut milk may not be everyone’s cup of tea. 

It also comes down to your allergies and texture preferences, so choose accordingly!

All that said, hemp milk is better if you have allergies, but coconut milk boasts an amazing distinct flavor that’ll add something special to your dishes, and it’s much more readily available than hemp milk.

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