Production of soluble protein products from hemp ("h701")

A method of producing a hemp protein product having a protein content of at least about 60 wt %, preferably at least about 90 wt %, (N×6.25) on a dry weight basis, which comprises:

• (a) extracting a hemp protein source with an aqueous calcium salt solution to cause solubilization of hemp protein from the protein source and to form an aqueous hemp protein solution,
• (b) at least partially separating the aqueous hemp protein solution from residual hemp protein source,
• (c) optionally diluting the aqueous hemp protein solution,
• (d) adjusting the pH of the aqueous hemp protein solution to a pH of about 1.5 to about 4.4 to produce an acidified aqueous hemp protein solution,
• (e) optionally clarifying the acidified hemp protein solution if it is not already clear,
• (f) alternatively from steps (b) to (e), optionally diluting and then adjusting the pH of the combined aqueous hemp protein solution and residual hemp protein source to a pH of about 1.5 to about 4.4 then separating the acidified aqueous hemp protein solution from residual hemp protein source,
• (g) optionally concentrating the aqueous hemp protein solution while maintaining the ionic strength substantially constant by a selective membrane technique,
• (h) optionally diafiltering the optionally concentrated hemp protein solution, and
• (i) optionally drying the optionally concentrated and optionally diafiltered hemp protein solution.