Help with Making Nut milks

[ladyfiremedic5]

:)I am trying to make almond milk and am not sure how to strain it. The last time I tried cheese cloth and it would not go through and I ended up with all the pulp in the milk...not very smooth to drink. I could use any ideas and help...I am not sure how to do this. I don't have an actual vitamix...just a warning blender. Thanks so much in advance as I'm sure someone out here knows how to make this wonderful stuff raw! Happy Holidays. Carrassa

[rawkchicster]

A nutmilk bag does WONDERS. I didn't buy one for months (started high-raw in January), but once I got one (best offer on Ebay) it's done wonders. SILKY smooth milk!

Also, if you don't want to buy a bag yet, I hear nylon (clean!) stockings do wonders...

ALSO, cashews that have been soaked for awhile aren't as "grainy" as almonds, and make a really good milk, even without straining.

PS> CHEESECLOTH DOESN'T WORK!! (I learned this straining and losing a lot of milk this way myself)

[lynnc72]

I got paint strainer from Lowe's. It comes in a pack with two, one-gallon bags for $2. It works wonderfully.

[Shell]

I use a metal mesh strainer....it's pretty fine, although it does let in some of the pulp.....but not much, and it was cheap and it's reusable!

[klomasius]

I use so many things, a cotton pillow case, old bots of sheet, muslin.

Try using a thin cotton pillowslip or cut out a large square of old sheet.

Whatever cloth I use, I wet it before hand so I don't lose half the milk wetting the cloth. The milk always comes out smooth and creamy with no bits.

I reckon if you can get a paint straining bag that would be best. I can't find them where i live, nobody seems to know what I'm on about when I ask them in hardware stores.

I reckon nut milk bags are overpriced for what they are.

[Lauriola]

If you have a Vitamix try this:
1 cup soaked almonds
6 pitted dates
1/2 teaspon sea salt
4 cups of water
1 cup of pure ice, yes ICE.
Blend for 3.5 to 4 minutes. Yes, THAT long. Because of the ice you can run it that long without reaching hot temperature (in fact I took the temperature with a food termometer and it was 90 degrees).
Now I measure the temperature by hand, touching the wall of the Vitamix cup while blending, you now when it is room temperature and when it is slightly warm, I know is ready.
No need to strain anything. Try it like this. I add vanilla and more sweet if I am going to drink just milk, if not it is just perfect for any smoothie or blend.
Good luck!

[ladyfiremedic5]

Thank You all so much!! I am going to try a few of these and see what works best for me. You are all so wonderful and sharing. Carrassa