Plant-based milk is a non-dairy milk alternative made from plant sources such as nuts, seeds, grains, or legumes. Plant-based milk is becoming increasingly popular due to various dietary, environmental, and ethical concerns. Here is how to make plant-based milk at home.
5 years ago I became lactose intolerant, seriously, just like that in one day. I started looking for a different milk alternatives for my morning coffee and slowly came to the conclusion that I do not like any of them except for almond milk. So, I decided to try making my own plant based milk and hope this post will convince you to try to make your own plant-based milk at home also.
Why make plant-bases milk at home:
- Nutritional Value: Homemade plant-based milk can be made from a variety of plant sources such as almonds, cashews, soybeans, oats, and hemp. These plant-based milks can offer essential vitamins and minerals like calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin E. Homemade plant-based milk can be an excellent source of protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
- No Additives: Store-bought plant-based milk often contains additives like sweeteners, emulsifiers, and stabilizers. Homemade plant-based milk allows you to control what goes into your milk, avoiding any unwanted additives.
- Environmentally Friendly: Making plant-based milk at home can be an environmentally-friendly alternative to dairy milk. It reduces the carbon footprint of dairy production, and it requires less water and land use.
- Cost-effective: Plant-based milk can be expensive to purchase, but making it at home can be more cost-effective. Buying the raw ingredients in bulk can be cheaper than buying packaged plant-based milk.
- Customizable: Homemade plant-based milk can be customized to your preference by adding sweeteners, spices, or flavors to the milk. You can also adjust the thickness and creaminess of the milk to suit your needs.
How to make plant-based milk at home
Almond milk recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 4 cups filtered water
Instructions:
- Soak the almonds in water for at least 6 hours, or overnight. Drain and rinse the almonds.
- Add the soaked almonds and 4 cups of filtered water to a blender. Blend on high speed for about 2-3 minutes, until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Strain the mixture through a nut milk bag or cheesecloth into a large bowl, squeezing out as much liquid as possible. Discard the almond pulp or save it for other recipes.
Cashew milk recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 4 cups filtered water
Instructions:
- Soak the cashews in water for at least 4 hours, or overnight. Drain and rinse the cashews.
- Add the soaked cashews and 4 cups of filtered water to a blender. Blend on high speed for about 2-3 minutes, until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Strain the mixture through a nut milk bag or cheesecloth into a large bowl, squeezing out as much liquid as possible. Discard the cashew pulp or save it for other recipes.
Walnuts milk recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup raw walnuts
- 4 cups filtered water
- Optional sweeteners like honey or maple syrup
- Optional flavorings like vanilla extract or cocoa powder
Instructions:
- Soak the walnuts in water for at least 4 hours, or overnight. Drain and rinse the walnuts.
- Add the soaked walnuts and 4 cups of filtered water to a blender. Blend on high speed for about 2-3 minutes, until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Strain the mixture through a nut milk bag or cheesecloth into a large bowl, squeezing out as much liquid as possible. Discard the walnut pulp or save it for other recipes.
Oat milk recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 4 cups filtered water
Instructions:
- Add the rolled oats and 4 cups of filtered water to a blender. Blend on high speed for about 30-60 seconds, until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Strain the mixture through a nut milk bag or cheesecloth into a large bowl, squeezing out as much liquid as possible. Discard the oat pulp or save it for other recipes.
- If desired, sweeten the oat milk with honey or maple syrup, and add flavorings like vanilla extract or cinnamon.
- Store the oat milk in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Give it a good shake before using it, as it may separate a bit.
Coconut milk recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
- 4 cups hot water
Instructions:
- Add the shredded coconut and hot water to a blender. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes to allow the coconut to soften.
- Blend on high speed for about 2-3 minutes, until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Strain the mixture through a nut milk bag or cheesecloth into a large bowl, squeezing out as much liquid as possible. Discard the coconut pulp or save it for other recipes.
Here you have it, 5 plant-based milk recipes that will cost you approximately 30 cents per cup. Enjoy!
