In the past, the only milk available was a higher or lower fat option. Today, in the store aisle you will find a wall of cartons – oat milk, almond milk, coconut milk, and even cashew milk. Not to mention options such as “barista” or “with vanilla”.
Such a large selection can give you a headache. And the truth is that you don’t have to use ready-made products at all. You can prepare most dairy alternatives in your own kitchen – without thickeners, stabilizers and other strange ingredients that sound like Mendeleev’s table. All you need is a blender, a bit of patience and you can enjoy a really fresh, creamy drink that is perfect for coffee, oatmeal, pancakes and cocktails.
Why is it worth drinking plant milk? There are quite a lot of reasons. First of all, this variant is perfect for people with lactose intolerance. A very large part of the world’s adult population has problems digesting milk sugar, which results in flatulence, abdominal pain and other unpleasant ailments. Plant milk is a naturally lactose-free choice that will fit perfectly into your diet. Milk based on plant ingredients is also a good solution for people struggling with an allergy to cow’s milk proteins.
Rashes, digestive disorders, and sometimes even anaphylactic reactions – all this makes looking for an alternative a necessity, not a fashion. It is also worth mentioning that homemade plant milk is usually lower in calories than store-bought milk and does not contain cholesterol. Its exact properties depend on the base ingredients – soy provides protein, oat is rich in fiber, and almond is rich in vitamin E.
Not sure which option to choose for your snacks and drinks? Here’s a quick guide to the most popular types of plant milk:
- oat milk – perfect for coffee. It has a subtle, sweet flavor and creamy consistency. At home you make them from oatmeal and water. Its only downside is that it’s high in carbohydrates, so if you’re counting calories or avoiding sugar, this isn’t the ideal choice for you;
- almond milk – light, subtly nutty, great for cocktails and muesli. The homemade version is more expensive than the oat one due to the price of almonds, but the taste makes up for the expense;
- soy milk – it is a classic that was the first to conquer the market of plant-based drinks. It has a slightly bean-like taste, so not everyone likes it. When choosing this version, choose solutions from certified crops;
- coconut milk – it is slightly sweet, creamy and has a characteristic aroma. Perfect for desserts, smoothies and Asian dishes. It has a lot of saturated fats, but these are MCT fats that the body uses for energy.
Check also: Add a teaspoon to your oatmeal. Digestion will improve significantly, stress and tension will disappear
Ready for a mini-revolution in your kitchen? Homemade plant milk is one of those recipes that will change your approach to healthy eating. Do you love almonds? Then soak a cup of raw nuts in water overnight (or in hot water for an hour). Then pour off the liquid, throw it into a blender and pour four cups of fresh water into it. Blend on high speed for two minutes until the mixture turns white and smooth. Strain the liquid through gauze or a clean cloth.
Oat milk is even easier to make. Combine 100 g of oatmeal (ordinary, not instant) with a liter of water, a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of maple syrup (optional). Mix everything for 30-40 seconds – no longer, because the oats will start to secrete mucus and the milk will become thick. In this case, also strain the liquid through gauze.
As for the other options, the execution method is very similar. We have one piece of advice: make a test batch before investing in kilograms of nuts. Not every plant-based milk will appeal to you. Enjoy your meal.
Sources: guster.pl, bbcgoodfood.com
