let's talk almond milk

[lori ann]

Hello all,

Well, today I made my first almond milk. I put in 1 cup of raw almonds (not soaked-which I am going to try for next time) 3 cups of water and 2 pitted dates.

Well, the thing of it is I wonder if there are easier techinques. I strained it one time through a steel strainer and it is now in the frig and the plup is in a bowl which I will save and fiqure out latter what to do with it.

My question is does anyone add anything else to theirs to make it taste sweeter etc.. is there an easier way to strain the milk? Should I strain it more than once and any other helpful hints you may have. By the way I did it in a vita mix. Thanks for any help you can give me.

[michigan roman]

add 2 bananas / tbsp carob powder / ice cubes / 6 more dates

[DebB]

A very easy way to strain it is with a nut milk bag - lots of sites carry these. I use paint strainer bags that I get for about $1 at Sherwin-Williams. I have several of them and use them for many things.

I also add a pinch of salt and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to my nut milk, along with dates to sweeten.

What I do is mix the (soaked) nuts and water - then I strain. I put the strained milk back in the blender and add the rest of the ingredients. *Ü*

[RawKnitster]

Soak your almonds in filtered water for 12 hours. I often soak them longer (up to 72 hours). After the first 12 hours keep them in the fridge. Also drain, rinse and cover with fresh water every 12 hours.

I usually add 4-5 cups of water for each cup of almonds (measured before soaking). The milk is not as rich as when using 3 cups of water, but still very good.

If you can't locate a nut milk bag to filter it look in the produce department for a mesh bag used to keep veggies fresh. It is cheap and works great. I pour the blended almonds and water in it and squeeze every last drop of milk out.

Store the milk in jars for up to 3 days. I don't add sweetener (usually dates and vanilla) until I'm ready to use it. If your milk is getter old and you can't use it up, freeze it in an ice cube tray. Once frozen store the cubes in plastic freezer bags.

Try adding some dates, vanilla, and frozen fruit. Yum! ENJOY!:)

[Seedy]

I don't use a lot of almond milk, since I got out of the milk drinking habit along time ago. So, when I need almond milk for a recipe I use raw almond butter. No presoaking, no filtering, no fuss. A heaping tablespoon of almond butter, a cup of water - done.
Seedy

[LiveLife]

I would add a date to your milk. You can also add some fruit (like bananas or strawberries) for more flavor :)

[Clare]

I use a pinch of Celtic sea salt, and a nice shake of stevia after it's done. I also use half almonds and half sunflower seeds to save $ and because I like the taste, whereas I do not like straight sunflower milk. Sad that truly raw almonds are so expensive now that they have to be specially ordered...

[sprouting]

Hello,

I thought I would post here rather then make a new thread.

How much protein is there in homemade Almond Milk?
I mean is it really a protein rich drink or is all the goodness and protein left in the pulp?

I can't drink cows milk and should really be drinking goats milk but I can't stomach it because of the taste and smell.

[maggiesdaddy]

That would depend on how many almonds you use and how much water you use.

If you want a really protein dense milk, make hemp milk.

[sprouting]

The recipe I was looking at was about 1 Cups Almonds to 3 Cups water...

[maggiesdaddy]

for every cup of milk you can expect between 2-4 grams of protein. Some is left in the pulp, so depending on how well you strain it could make a difference.

I do not have a link, but from what you have said and the things that I researched (through google, not scientific documents) there is not a lot of information out on this. However, it is usually estimated that there is about 2-4 grams. Eat the pulp too! You can dry it like almond flour and then use it as a thickener in recipes.

[sprouting]

Thanks for the reply.

Also wondering whether you blend the almonds with or without water?

I know you normally blend nut milks with water, but I was thinking if you soak the nuts, blend and then add water, you would surely get a finer pulp and maybe better extraction?

Thoughts?

Thanks

[ReneeH]

I blend the Almonds WITH the water. I've tried it both ways and I don't see a difference in the pulp either way.

I just wanted to add that there is a GREAT recipe in LOLF on page 514 using the pulp from Almond Milk for Cinnamon Rolls!!!!! I've made it before and it's wonderful!!!! :)

Also, when I make Almond Milk for my kids, I add a tbsp of Sunflower Seed Lecithin. They like the Milk thicker and richer than making it with just water.

[Revvell]

Also wondering whether you blend the almonds with or without water?

I know you normally blend nut milks with water, but I was thinking if you soak the nuts, blend and then add water, you would surely get a finer pulp and maybe better extraction?



Do it and let us know how it works for you.

[Revvell]

I can't drink cows milk and should really be drinking goats milk but I can't stomach it because of the taste and smell.

You do know this is a raw VEGAN (or beegan) site, yes?

[cosmicpixie]

I've been experimenting since first making almond milk about 2 weeks ago.

-I tried mixing in vanilla powder but it rose to the top of the glass after blending and pouring and tasted funny

- I mixed in the contents of a whole vanilla bean yesterday and could not really taste the vanilla at all !

- I took some nut milk and added home -made date paste to it today plus 2 heaped tablespoons of lucuma powder. Now that was quite nice as a drink on its own but I poured it over my granola

- My fave nut milk smoothie involves the nut milk, one banana, honey and 1/3 a block of tofu (I know many don't eat tofu but I do as am not 100% raw and don't want to be . Around 75 % raw is good for me)

I bought a nut bag off ebay and once I've poured the blended water and nut mix in, I pick the nut bag up and manually squeeze it for about 45 secs to get the liquid out. I soak my nuts overnight (one cup of nuts) , rinse the next morning , add to blender with 3 cups of water. I've tried the mix without straining it first and it was not very nice - very gritty.

[sputnikjunkie]

Also, when I make Almond Milk for my kids, I add a tbsp of Sunflower Seed Lecithin. They like the Milk thicker and richer than making it with just water.

Thanks for the tip!

[kaleboy]

I found almond milk has a very strong taste so experimented with brazil nuts and wow very nice...