Nut milk bags

[kaleboy]

Hi, I'm going to try to make my first ever almond milk once I get the filter bags. I'm just wondering how long they last (the ones on ebay) ? can you wash them and just continue to re use them or do you need to throw them away after a few batches. Also any tips on the milk would be good, so far I've seen people add vanilla extract and a couple of dates or honey for sweetness etc...also they seem to say it only lasts 4 days so is there a way to get longer and can you freeze it ?

Thanks

[drolemil]

I wash mine by rinsing it out thoroughly (straining water through it repeatedly as if it were nutmilk) and then sticking it in the dehydrator (though on a high temp, since it's not food ;D).

Though if you don't want to wait, you can always enjoy your nutmilk "with pulp". Many people enjoy it that way. ^^

Nutmilk is pretty bland, so I recommend blending dates to the strained milk to sweeten it. Then from there you can add any flavorings you want. I usually make small batches for immediate use, so I'm not sure how long it lasts or freezing it.

BTW, I love your name and pic! :heart:

[kaleboy]

thanks drolemil looking forward to the first batch...

[scyn]

I quite like using dried figs to sweeten it. What's also good is dates and carob - makes a nice malty milk which is wicked on chocolate buckwheat granola.

Also, if you have a *D* then get a few recipes together that make use of nut pulp / nut flour as you're going to be in possession of plenty.

[kaleboy]

wow first batch was great and beyond expectations, very empowering knowing you can make your own milk so easily and cheaply. I added two dates during blending and a little bit of honey after the straining and a pinch of Himalayan rock salt. Hooked :)

[Mary Kay]

Yay Kaleboy! Cheers!

You can also get nutmilk bags from Sherwin Williams or hardware stores in the paint section! They're WAY cheaper and you can get a one gallon size with an elastic top that fits perfectly around a Vita-Mix for about $1.59 each.

I freeze any extra in ice-cube trays and use to add to frozen bananas when making ice cream in my blender.

No, I've found it doesn't keep very well either.

HTH,

Mary Kay

[kaleboy]

thanks MK, will go and have a look...

[dmb2002man]

I bought mine from rawpriestess on ebay and there great. They go right over the vitamix. I just rinse them with semi hot water when I'm done and let them air dry. I put 2 cups almonds to 4 cups of water in my vitamix. I also add 3-4 dates.

[KaleMama]

I got 1 Hemp nut bag from Ebay for $10.00 but found an organic, unbleached cotton bag at our local co-op for $2.50. :)

They both work really well and my big thing was that since we're eating things out of these materials that they be natural and unbleached. :)

[Mary Kay]

Delise,

I think you have a better attitude than I! LOL...I like natural and unbleached too, but have conceded to nylon and cheap. I am rationalizing it, by thinking that nothing stays in the nutmilk bag for very long though. sigh.....

Kaleboy, one disadvantage to those paint strainers (used as nutmilk bags) is the holes are just slightly larger than the regular nutmilk bags (at least the ones I've purchased in the past). This is not generally a problem for me, because the milk etc is pretty smooth. However it's not 100% smooth, so for my picky dd, I sometimes have to strain again in a really superfine mesh one.

But this is actually quicker IMO. I've had trouble squeezing and squeezing a really fine mesh bag on the first run. Whereas you can go relatively quick on the paint strainers, then go real fine to get the rest (if necessary). This also saves on blowing out the really fine mesh ones, by squeezing the heck out of them.

HTH,

Mary Kay

[RighteousYogini]

I saw someone who used a tea towel instead of a nut bag and that was totally fine........

[bananaberrie]

Mary Kay, I love the idea of freezing some in an ice cube tray!! I never thought of that. I don't seem to use mine up fast enough, but love to have it on hand to make shakes with. Perfect idea...Thanks so much...love it!