Nut and Seed Milk
Did you know that it’s easy peasy to make your own nut and seed milk at home. The flavour and texture puts all the commercial ones to shame. Have you ever check out the ingredient list on the commercial nut and seed milks? They have the longest list of ingredients, not to mention I can’t pronounce most of them. Most of the ingredients are shelf stabilizers or thickeners.
When I first stopped gave up dairy the alternatives were quite frankly gross. I started drinking black coffee because the layer of oil that was in my coffee from my milk alternative was not appetizing, not to mention it often looked partially curdled. Since starting to make my own at home I rediscovered my love for a latte or even a cup of “cold milk”.
I swear it not hard. It probably takes me a total of 10 mins including clean up to make a 1L jar of nut/seed milk. All you need is 1 cup of raw, unsalted preferably organic nuts or seeds, 4 cups of filtered water, a high speed blender and a nut milk bag.
Nut and Seed Soaking Times
Soak nuts and seeds in 2 cups of water in the fridge for the allotted time. Any nuts or seeds not on this list don’t need to be soaked.
Why soak the nuts and seeds?
Whole grains, bean, nuts and seeds all have phytic acid an enzyme found in the skin. This helps to prevent them from sprouting until they are exposed to water. These foods are some most nutrient dense ingredients available. However if the phytic acid is not deactivated the nutrients are not properly absorbed. Presoaking breaks down the phytic acid, this allows the nutrients to be activated and for easier digestion.
How To Store
Your homemade nut and seed milk will store for up to 5 days in the fridge; in a tightly sealed glass jar. Remember that there are no chemicals so cross contamination can cause the nut or seed milk to go rancid more quickly. If you are only using small amounts at a time, you may want to divide the batch into smaller jars to not continually exposing the batch to air when you open and close the jar.
Let’s get Making!
After presoaking (in necessary) 1 cup of nuts or seeds; drain and rinse. Place into a high speed blender with 4 cups of filtered water. Blend until smooth (40-50 seconds). Place nut milk bag over a medium bowl. Pour the milk into the nut milk bag, gather the bag and gently squeeze the milk into the bowl until as much of the liquid is removed. You can use the left over pulp to make crackers or add to the compost - the pulp can be kept in the freezer for 3 months.
Your milk is ready to drink right away. Store in glass jar in the fridge. Make sure to give it a shake before using and enjoy!
Texture
I mentioned using a nut milk bag to strain the pulp from the liquid. That being said if you want the benefits of the fibre you can choose not to strain. This would be best for smoothies or making overnight oats. I like mine for drinking and well the kids are a fan of pulp in their cereal so I always strain mine. If you like to froth your milk I find that almond and hazelnut milks achieve the most consistent results.
Flavouring
I love this milk just as is. You can get adventurous with flavouring. After you have strained the milk from the pulp you can place it back in the blender, add in your flavouring and blend until smooth. Here are some ideas for flavouring
1 tbsp of maple syrup
2 tsp match-tea powder
1 cup unsweetened coconut
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup strawberries
1 tbsp raw cacao with 1 tsp maple syrup
The possibilities are endless. You can have a lot of fun with it!
Nut and Seed Milk
Ingredients
- 1 cup Pre Soaked nuts/seeds (see chart)
- 4 cup filtered water
Instructions
- Drain and rinse pre soaked nuts/seeds
- Place into a high speed blender with filtered water
- Blend until smooth (40-50 seconds)
- Place nut milk bag over a medium bowl
- Pour the milk into the nut milk bag, gather the bag and gently squeeze the milk into the bowl until as much of the liquid is removed
- You can use the left over pulp to make crackers or add to the compost - the pulp can be kept in the freezer for 3 months.
- Your milk is ready to drink right away.
- Store in glass jar in the fridge. Make sure to give it a shake before using.
