There are many different reasons as to why people may drink almond milk. If you are lactose intolerant than almond milk can be a perfect solution while still getting your ‘kind of dairy’ fix. It is also lower in calories than standard cow’s milk, entirely vegan, and packed full of nutrients. This versatile drink can be added to any number of recipes to spice things up, or as a healthy alternative, but there is no need to fork out on expensive brands when you can make it very simply and easily at home.
Soaking the almonds
Before doing anything, it is important to get your almonds soaking. Pour the little guys into a bowl and give them some water (about an inch of covering) for at least 12 hours overnight, but for up to two days if you can wait. If you want your milk to have a creamier texture, then you’re best off leaving the nuts for longer. You’ll know when they’re ready for the next step as the almonds will have swollen from the water.
Draining the excess
Once your almonds have been thoroughly soaked, the next step is to drain off any excess water; you should notice that your almonds will be soft if you pinch them. Once all the water has been drained, you can give the nuts a wash under cool water to rinse off any residue. It is important not to be tempted into drinking the water you used to soak the nuts in though as it is full of phytic acid. This will stop your body from being able to absorb nutrients properly. So, don’t drink it!
Blend, blend, blend
The next bit is the fun and noisy part. All the almonds you have left can be thrown into the blender with a couple of cups of fresh water. Crank the mixer up to full speed and make sure you pulse the mixture to ensure all the almonds have been broken up. After two minutes this should leave you with fine almond crumbs, and plenty of white water.
Getting the good stuff
Get a strainer ready with cheesecloth (or something similar) lining it. Have a measuring cup poised and prepared underneath so that when you pour over the contents of the blender, it can catch it all. Once all the water is poured out then you can get your hands involved; squeeze the almond meal to extract as much of the milk as possible. Once you’ve pressed as hard as you can, you can either throw the almond meal away or bake it into various recipes, such as muffins or oatmeal.
Getting the perfect taste
The final step is the most important: check that you like the taste! If you feel as though you need something sweeter, then add in a sweetener of some kind. However, emember you can always add more but can’t take it away so do this gradually. When you’re done perfecting the milk’s taste then pop it into a sealed container and find a spot for your creation in the fridge. It is recommended that you try and consume it within two days for the best taste and freshness levels.
Almond milk is so versatile; you can use it in coffee, in smoothies, or for your morning bowl of oatmeal – the possibilities are endless. If you want to impress your friends with your creative prowess then making your own almond milk is the perfect way to wow a crowd over. It doesn’t matter that the steps are simple, and it doesn’t require too much time, but shh, that’s our little secret…
