Almond milk is a simple milk alternative produced from almonds and water. It’s ideal for adding to smoothies, coffee, or even pouring over cereal! Almonds, water, and a blender are all you need to make homemade almond milk, which is healthier than wide store-bought varieties (it has no chemicals, gums, or other unsavory components). Due to its flavor and creamy texture, almond milk is one of the most popular plant-based milk.
Soaking almonds in lukewarm water for an entire night is the first step in making homemade almond milk. After draining the water, add the almonds, fresh water, salt, and other ingredients to a blender (such as dates for sweetness or vanilla, cacao powder, or berries for flavor variations). The milk is poured into a mixing bowl through a nut milk bag after the mixture has been blended for 1 to 2 minutes. Afterward, the liquid was squeezed to the fullest extent.
Almond Milk Nutrition Facts
What is Almond Milk?
Almond milk is a plant-based beverage made from almonds with a watery consistency and a nutty flavor. It is low in saturated fat and free of lactose and cholesterol. However, some varieties or brands have flavors that mimic those of cow’s milk.
Lactose intolerant people and people who don’t eat dairy products, like vegans, frequently drink almond milk. Commercial almond milk is typically supplemented with micronutrients and is available in sweetened, unsweetened, vanilla, and chocolate flavors.
One of the most well-known almond products is almond milk, which has the important quality of being lactose-free. Almond milk is valued by those who cannot consume lactose as a delightful and healthful substitute for regular dairy products. Others adore its nutty, sweet flavor. A blender, almonds, and water can also be used to make it at home.
How to Make Almond Milk?
Simple, delicious, and completely customizable homemade almond milk! Perfect for baking, breakfast, and drinking directly from the bottle with baked items.
Ingredients
- 1 Cup raw almonds (soaked overnight in cool water // or 1-2 hours in very hot water)
- 5 Cups filtered water (less to thicken, more to thin)
- 1 Pinch of sea salt
- 2 Whole dates
- 1 Tsp Vanilla extract
- 2 Tbsp cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup berries
Steps
Here are the steps to follow:
- Almonds that have been soaked, water, salt, and any additional ingredients (if using), should all be added to a high-speed mixer and blended until creamy and smooth. Let it run for a few minutes to get the most flavor out of your almonds.
- Use a nut milk bag to strain, or my go-to method, a thin dish towel. Pour almond milk into a mixing basin, cover with a clean dish towel, carefully collect the corners, and raise. Squeeze again until no more liquid remains. The pulp can be discarded or saved to be used in baked goods (especially crackers).
- Refrigerate milk after pouring it into a container or covered bottle. It will remain fresh for up to four to five days but is preferable. Before drinking, please give it a good shake as it tends to split.
What does Almond Milk Taste Like?
If you have never eaten almond milk, you probably think it tastes like almonds. We’re here to let you know that’s not entirely accurate. In actuality, it tastes more like cereal milk or sweet dairy milk than anything else!
Here is a brief description of each flavor:
- You’ll discover that unsweetened almond milk tastes great if you try any, including this well-liked variety here. You can still taste the underlying nutty flavor of almonds even if it isn’t sweetened (not overbearing, though). A tiny bit of creaminess, too.
- The fat in almond milk is lower than in dairy milk. As a result, almond milk may have a little waterier texture and consistency than regular cow’s milk. But don’t worry, trust us!
- You’ll be pleasantly pleased by how great the sweetened almond milk tastes if you decide to test it in your local grocery stores or boba cafes. You’ll smile with every drink because it tastes more like sweetened milk than your morning cereal.
- Cinnamon, vanilla, chocolate, and honey are typical flavor elements. Of course, a lot relies on the brand of sweetened almond milk you choose to consume.
What are the Health Benefits of Almond Milk?
Here are the health benefits of almond milk:
May Help Reduce Blood Pressure
According to a paper in Scientific Research Publishing, drinking almond milk can assist in lowering and maintaining blood pressure. The greatest substitute for those who cannot consume soy or dairy products is almond milk. This is because almond milk contains all the nutrients and vitamins in soy and other dairy products. Veins are the conduits through which blood travels throughout the body.
High blood pressure, a potentially fatal medical disease, may be caused by blockages and inadequate blood flow within the veins. They must be able to contract and expand freely for the blood to flow freely to and from the various sections of our body. This is dependent on vitamin D and minerals like phosphorus to maintain them in the proper state.
Can Help Maintain a Healthy Heart
Almond milk is a potent supporter of a strong and healthy heart because it contains zero cholesterol. In a study published in the Circulation Journal, Dr. Jenkins of the Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Center at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, hypothesized that eating almonds may help lower the risk of coronary heart disease.
It is significantly superior to other foods that raise levels of LDL, or bad cholesterol, which is the cause of many cardiovascular diseases. Consuming almond milk ensures that the body has enough potassium, a vital mineral that relaxes blood vessels and eases stress on the heart.
May Help Strengthen Muscles
The appropriate kind of meals, specifically those containing vitamins and minerals that directly impact muscle mass, can speed up the process of building muscles. Riboflavin, a type of vitamin B, and calcium, for instance, are found in almond milk and have been shown to regulate muscular strength and growth when combined with other nutrients like iron.
Self Nutrition Data states that a cup of almond milk contains 240 ml and has between 20 and 45 percent of the daily calcium intake. Additionally, it is a good source of protein, mostly found in muscles and skin, and aids in body maintenance and repair.
May Help Improve Kidney Health
Some minerals, like calcium and potassium, can damage the kidneys if they are present in the body in excess amounts. Unlike dairy and soy goods, almond milk only includes a small quantity of phosphorus and potassium.
It is advised that those with acute or chronic renal disease try to limit their consumption of foods with high concentrations of these minerals. Almond milk can be used for the same general purposes as regular milk and is advantageous for those attempting to lower their bodies’ potassium levels.
May Aid in Skin Care
Different kinds of vitamins and minerals are essential for maintaining healthy skin. Almond milk, which is high in vitamin E, is beneficial for keeping healthy skin. The vitamins also contain antioxidants that help repair damaged skin and control vitamin A. Both almond milk prepared at home and milk processed and sold commercially include these vitamins. It may also be applied as a lotion for washing the skin. Rosewater could be added to almond milk to wash the skin for optimum results.
Shelf Life of Almond Milk
The shelf life of almond milk depends on how you store it:
- Opened: Shelf-stable almond milk should be eaten within 7–10 days after opening, whereas chilled almond milk should be drunk within 7–7. Keep certain almond milk refrigerated after opening to avoid spoiling, such as Blue Diamond’s Almond Breeze, which doesn’t include preservatives.
- Unopened: Unopened cartons of shelf-stable almond milk can be kept at room temperature for 3–4 weeks after the use-by date. The product is heated and dried to eliminate contaminating foodborne bacteria. Its sterilizing procedure is what gives it extended shelf life. Additionally, aseptic carton packaging is used, which is intended to give almond milk longer shelf life.
- Homemade: Your choice of almonds will affect how long your almond milk stays fresh. When properly stored in an airtight pitcher in your refrigerator, homemade almond milk can survive for three to five days.
How to Store Almond Milk to Keep it Fresh?
A general rule of thumb when storing almond milk: Store it as the store does. Commercially bought (aka from your store’s fridge section) and homemade almond milk should be put in the fridge from the get-go. Shelf-stable cartons can be kept in the pantry or a cupboard until they’re ready for use. Once opened. However, these also need to be refrigerated. Not storing almond milk properly can shorten shelf-life, so keeping conditions consistent is important.
Try these simple storage hacks to keep your almond milk as fresh as possible (and retain all of its nutrients!):
- Store in the back of the fridge. Don’t keep your cartons in the refrigerator door, as the temperature in this area fluctuates every time you open/close the door. Instead, store almond milk toward the back of your fridge, where temps are colder and more consistent.
- Store unopened shelf-stable cartons in a space with a steady room temperature. Peep the carton for specific temp recommendations. Be careful of areas where it can get too hot, as this can spoil the milk before you open it.
- Keep the carton tightly sealed. This will keep oxygen out and prevent bacteria from growing.
Conclusion
Almond milk only requires two simple components: unprocessed almonds and fresh water. However, most commercial almond milk includes added stabilizers and preservatives to increase shelf life. You might wish to include a dash of salt, a sweetener like maple syrup, agave, or stevia, and a flavoring like vanilla essence or vanilla bean when making your organic almond milk at home.
Add cocoa powder to the mixture to create homemade chocolate almond milk. For people who avoid cow’s milk, almond milk can be a great plant-based substitute. Natural unsweetened variants are high in vitamin E and minimal in calories and sugar.
However, almond milk lacks protein, and sweetened varieties can include a lot of sugar. If you prefer almond milk, choose unflavored, unsweetened varieties, and supplement your diet with other high-protein foods like eggs, beans, nuts, seeds, fish, and poultry.
