This preservative- and additive-free homemade nut milk works great for drinking or culturing. Try it with our Raw Almond Milk Yogurt Recipe. NOTE:Cashew milk is made differently from other nut milks.
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INGREDIENTS AND EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE AT CULTURES FOR HEALTH
Cotton Nut Milk Bag
Cotton Nut Milk Bag
$5.00
This 11" x 14" cotton bag is perfect for making nut milk and soy milk, but we also love it for straining whey from homemade yogurt, cheese, kefir, and more.
Butter Muslin
Butter Muslin
$5.99
Butter Muslin is a tightly woven cloth, similar to cheesecloth, used for draining, pressing, and straining soft cheeses, yogurt or milk kefir. Butter muslin cloth also works as a breathable jar cover for all sorts of fermenting applications.
So you've made the switch to a vegan lifestyle and are now looking for a delicious, dairy-free alternative to milk. Have no fear and try making nut milk! You can make your own nut milk at home! It's easy and tastes much better than the store-bought stuff.
People have been making nut milk for centuries, but its popularity has experienced a recent surge. Almond milk is the most widely-used variety, followed by soy. Nut milks are extremely versatile. They can be consumed on their own or used as an ingredient in other recipes such as vegan yogurt, vegan ice creams, etc.
Our nut milk recipe is so easy to make and has a great texture. We'll give you a detailed list of ingredients and instructions. Plus, a few tips along the way to ensure that your homemade nut milk will taste great and be smooth and creamy every time.
NUT MILK:
Before we dive right into the main discussion of how to make nut milk at home, let's briefly discuss why homemade nut milk is an excellent alternative to store-bought varieties. What kinds of recipes can you use it in, and what equipment you'll need?
WHY USE NUT MILK OVER DAIRY MILK?
Nut milks are an easy replacement for dairy milks in your diet, but why make the switch in the first place? Is it really better for you? The answer is yes, and here are a few top reasons:
- For starters, nut milk is healthier for you! Dairy milk is full of saturated fat and cholesterol, which can lead to heart disease and other health issues when used inEXCESS. Nut milks are naturally low in fatand contain healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids, which are linked to a reduced risk of heart disease.
- Nut milks are also easier on your digestive system. They're easier to digest than dairy milks because they don't contain lactose (which is what causes stomach issues for those who are lactose intolerant).
- Nut milks are a great way to cut down on some of those calories while still enjoying the taste of milk!
- Since nut milks don't contain cholesterol and are low in calories, they make a great dairy milk alternative in diet recipes.
THINGS YOU CAN MAKE WITH DAIRY-FREE NUT MILK
You can make all kinds of things with nut milk!
If you're a vegan or lactose-intolerant, it's a great alternative to the dairy stuff. But we don't think that's the only reason why people should use nut milk. It's just so versatile! Here are some of our favorite ways to use it:
- Coffee:Nut milks are delicious in coffee! They have a creamy texture that makes them perfect for adding to your latte or cappuccino.
- Smoothies:Nut milks are perfect for making smoothies because they have such a rich flavor. You'll love using them in tropical smoothies because they go really well with banana and pineapple flavors!
- Baked Goods: Nut milks are great for making baked goods like cakes and cookies because they have such rich flavor profiles that complement almost any other ingredient you might use in those recipes (like chocolate chips or peanut butter).
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Homemade Yogurt: Nut milk is an excellent substitute for regular milk in yogurt making. It adds a richer, creamier texture and an interesting flavor that can really make your yogurt stand out. Try it with our Vegan Yogurt Recipe and Vegan Yogurt Starter!
WHY MAKE YOUR OWN NUT MILK?
Making your own nut milk is easy—and so worth it! Making homemade nut milk takes just a few minutes and tastes better than any store-bought version you’ve ever had.
Moreover, store-bought nut milks often have added sugar and preservatives. And, yes, even if you buy a “natural” brand or one that says “organic,” there are still additives in there.
So why not make your own homemade nut milk? You control the ingredients, and you can use only what you want.
The other reason why making your own nut milk is so great is because of the price. Buying organic nuts at the grocery store can be expensive! And if you have a big batch of homemade nut milk on hand, all you need to do is use a little bit at a time and then store the rest in the fridge or freezer until next time.
Any type of nut can be used to make your own milks, such as almonds, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, and cashews.
Click to download all our Cookbooks today, with tips and tricks to make your nut milk so creamy and delicious that you'll want to drink it daily! Plus, it's much healthier than store-bought versions and helps support a sustainable lifestyle.
NOTE: Cashew milk is made differently from other nut milks.
HOW TO MAKE NUT MILK AT HOME
Nut milk of all kinds is growing in popularity and for obvious reasons. Once you've learned how to make nut milk for yourself, you'll discover how easy it is to make nut milks that taste better than the store-bought varieties, cost less to make, and don't include chemical preservatives or emulsifiers. Start with this basic nut milk recipe:
NUT MILK INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup raw, unsalted nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, pecans, macadamia, walnuts)
- 2-3 cups water for soaking the nuts
- 4 cups filtered water (not tap water) for blending — The chlorine from tap water can cause bitterness in your finished product!
NOTE:UseONLYraw, unsalted nuts! Roasted nuts will give your milk a burnt taste that's hard to get rid of. Salt will make your milk too salty if you use salted nuts!
INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING NUT MILK:
- Soak the nuts in 2-3 cups of water overnight. This can help hydrate the nuts and also clean off any exterior dust.
- Drain and discard the soaking water.
- Blend nuts with 4 cups of water until almost smooth. As you blend, you'll see the nut milk right in front of your eyes. As an optional step, you can also add a pinch of salt and/or vanilla if desired at this stage.
- Strain the blended nut mixture usingbutter muslin or anut milk bag. A tight-weave cloth is preferable, as twisting the top tightly enables you to continue squeezing out more milk.
- Refrigerate. The milk will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
This preservative- and additive-free homemade nut milk recipe works great for drinking or culturing. Try it with ourRaw Almond Milk Yogurt Recipe andVegan Yogurt Starter Kit!
A NOTE ON NUT MILK MAKING EQUIPMENT
There are only really two tools you need to make great nut milk. You need a blender and some way to strain the milk. Most blenders will work for softer nuts, but some harder nuts might require a little more power. If you find that after blending, the remaining nuts are in large chunks or your nut milk is particularly weak, you might try a higher-power blender.
As for straining the nut milk, you can use multiple passes through a fine metal strainer, cheesecloth, or muslin. Or you cannot even strain it. Some people like the thicker feel of unstrained nut milk. But for most people, a nut milk bag is the perfect answer. It's designed to strain quickly without getting clogged, and they're easy to use and easy to wash.
SOAKING NUTS BEFORE MAKING NUT MILK
You'll notice the recipe calls for pre-soaking your nuts or seeds before blending. When you soak them, you'll notice that the water turns cloudy. Rinsing after soaking removes all that exterior dust and can help to hydrate the nuts.
But, honestly, soaking is an optional step. Try it both ways and see if the soaking makes enough of a difference for you to make it worth the time. Different nuts will have different results, so try it both ways!
THE TAKEAWAYS FOR HOW TO MAKE NUT MILK:
- Whether you're vegan, lactose intolerant, or a paleo enthusiast, nut milk is perfect for you.
- Making your own nut milk is easy, less expensive, and healthier than store-bought.
- This is a basic, easy homemade nut milk recipe you can use to make any kind of nut milk you like.
- You can use it as a base nut milk recipe, then add in whatever flavors you like to make delicious and nutritious nut milk at home!
LOVE NUT MILK BUT DON'T KNOW HOW TO MAKE IT? DOWNLOAD OUR YOGURT GUIDE AND RECIPE BOOK TODAY AND START MAKING YOUR NUT MILK AT HOME!
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