Make almond milk at home! We show you how
What's the story
Almond milk is a nutritious and versatile dairy alternative that has gained popularity in recent years.
However, store-bought versions can be expensive and often contain unwanted preservatives.
Fortunately, making almond milk at home is easy, affordable, and ensures you know exactly what's going into your drink - no hidden nasties, just fresh, wholesome goodness.
This blog post shares budget-friendly hacks to help you master the art of homemade almond milk.
Selection
Choosing the right almonds
The quality of almonds you use will directly impact the taste and nutritional value of your almond milk.
Choose raw, organic almonds whenever possible. They are grown without the use of pesticides and other harmful chemicals.
You can save a lot of money by buying in bulk. Many health food stores sell raw almonds in bulk bins, which are much cheaper than buying them pre-packaged.
Soaking
Soaking almonds: The first step
Soaking almonds overnight not only makes blending easier but also activates enzymes, improving digestibility.
Using filtered water for soaking is important to avoid contaminants that can impact the taste and health benefits of your almond milk.
This key step doesn't require any fancy tools or extra costs, but it makes all the difference in creating that smooth, creamy milk you're after without breaking the bank.
Processing
Blending and straining
After soaking, make sure to rinse the almonds well under running water.
Blend one cup of soaked almonds with three cups of filtered water until smooth.
You don't need a fancy blender for this; a regular one will do the job just fine.
To strain the mixture, use a nut milk bag or cheesecloth over a bowl. These are reusable and much cheaper than store-bought options.
Customization
Flavoring your milk
A huge advantage of homemade almond milk is that you can customize the flavor to suit your taste, without the extra sugars or artificial additives found in store-bought versions.
For a hint of natural sweetness, add dates or vanilla extract to the blender. And, to amplify the flavor, a pinch of salt or cinnamon works wonders.
These inexpensive, wholesome ingredients add a lovely touch to your milk. Enjoy!
Preservation
Storing homemade almond milk
Homemade almond milk can be kept in the refrigerator for up to five days. Store it in an air-tight container to keep it tasting fresh.
Glass jars are perfect because they don't hold onto smells or tastes from other things, so your almond milk always tastes great.
You can save money by reusing glass jars from other stuff you buy.