Going vegan is a great and wise choice, there are a billion delicious vegan recipes out there, but most people who are vegans complain about missing milk. Well, plant-based milks are just as delicious as, and much healthier than cow’s milk. You can make your own plant-based milk at home or you can buy it. Just make sure you check the nutritional label if you’re counting calories, because many store plant-based milks are loaded with sugar. To make your own plant-based milks you will need a nut milk bag or cheesecloth, a powerful blender and jars or bottles for storage. Also know that it is good to soak or roast the nuts/seeds before blending, because it releases enzyme inhibitors and also improve nutrient digestion and assimilation.
10. Hazelnut Milk
To make hazelnut milk there is no need to soak the nuts. For ½ cup of raw hazelnuts you will need 2 cups of water or to make it sweeter you could use coconut water. If you want a nuttier taste, lightly roast the nuts for 5 minutes. Blend together and strain through cheesecloth. To make it more aromatic, add ¼ of vanilla extract or grade B maple syrup.
9. Hemp Seed Milk
Hemp protein contains 21 amino acids, which is all of them, thus making it a complete protein. Hemp seeds are one of the most nutritious food sources on the planet and the milk is really good for you. The ½ cups of raw hemp seed and 2 cups of pure water will make delicious and nutritious milk. No soaking is required when making hemp seed milk.
8. Brown Rice Milk
The same measurements are needed to make brown rice milk as with hemp seed and hazelnut: ½ cup of cooked brown rice with 2 cups water. You don’t really need to soak the rice before you boil it, but you could. With the boiled brown rice you might want to strain the liquid twice. This milk is a great base without much of a taste, making it perfect for adding cocoa.
7. Young Coconut Milk
Young coconuts are so versatile! You will need the meat form one young coconut and the water from the same (one) coconut. You just blend all the ingredients together until the liquid reaches your desired consistency. It is very creamy and delicious and when used in soups, the coconut flavor is lost, making it a good milk or cream replacement. Coconut is known for its anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties which promote weight loss and weight maintenance.
6. Cashew Milk
Did you know that cashews aren’t really nuts? They’re actually seeds of the cashew tree. They’re chock full of oleic acid, which is a very heart-healthy fat. You need to soak ½ cups of cashews in advance for two to four hours, then add 2 cups of pure water and blend on high really well. The taste is buttery and the consistency is very creamy; great for using in the kitchen.
5. Buckwheat Milk
Buckwheat groats can be toasted in advance to give the milk the wonderful nutty buckwheat flavor. To make buckwheat milk you need ½ cup raw and hulled buckwheat groats and 2 cups pure water. Blend it well and then strain the liquid. Add vanilla extract or honey to make it more delicious. If you have a gluten intolerance, know that buckwheat don’t have gluten, although the name can be a little misleading.
4. Amaranth Milk
One of the most unique-tasting plant-based milks, amaranth milk is dead easy to make. Just like mentioned earlier, use ½ cup of raw seeds with 2 cups of pure water. You need to soak the seeds for up to 8 hours in advance, rinse them, before adding the water and blending the mixture. Amaranth contains more protein than any other gluten-free grain, so eat it, blend it, milk it!
3. Brazil Nut Milk
Brazil nuts are absolutely delicious and they make beautiful white milk that resembles dairy milk the most. ½ cups raw Brazil nuts and 2 cups of pure water blended on high and then strained will give you great plant-based milk. You can add sweeteners, such as maple syrup or honey or a pinch of salt.
2. Macadamia Nut Milk
There is no need to soak the macadamia nuts, because they don’t have any enzyme inhibitors. Use ½ cup raw macadamias and 2 cups pure water; blend, strain and serve over cereal or in smoothies and teas. You could strain the liquid twice and to give it a bit of edge, add some lime zest or honey.
1. Almond Milk
Almonds are known for lowering cholesterol levels, so if you know you need that, drink lots of almond milk. Same as with the above nuts and seeds, you need ½ cup raw almonds and 2 cups pure water. Make sure you soak the nuts for up to 12 hours or roast them lightly for 5 minutes at 350 degrees F. The milk doesn’t only taste good, it also has vitamin E and magnesium.
Are you going to make any of these plant-based milks? Which one have you already tried? What is your favorite? Drop us a line in the comment section below and share your thoughts with us.
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