Make your own plant milk! Beginner's Guide

Homemade non-dairy milks are a healthy and sustainable option for those who want an alternative to cow's milk or simply want to experiment with new drink options. In addition to being more sustainable than store-bought non-dairy milks, they're also a way to save money and keep track of exactly what's being consumed.

Here are some easy ways to make homemade non-dairy milks at home:

1. Almonds: To make homemade almond milk, start by soaking whole almonds in water for at least 6 hours or overnight. After soaking, drain them and put them in a blender with a cup of water. Blend until the almonds are completely crushed, then strain the mixture through a strainer or cloth to remove any almond pieces. The resulting milk can be sweetened with honey or brown sugar if desired.

2. Rice: To make homemade rice milk, start by soaking brown rice in water for at least 6 hours or overnight. After soaking, drain it and put it in a blender with four cups of water. Blend until the rice is completely crushed, then strain the mixture through a strainer or cloth to remove any rice chunks. The resulting milk can be sweetened with honey or brown sugar if desired.

3. Oats: To make homemade oat milk, start by mixing powdered oats with water in a 1:4 ratio. Let the mixture stand for a few hours so that the oats soften, and then blend the mixture together with a cup of water. If you want a smoother milk, you can strain the mixture through a strainer or cloth to remove any oat bits. The resulting milk can be sweetened with honey or brown sugar if desired.

4. Coconut: To make homemade coconut milk, start by shredding fresh or dehydrated coconut. Put the shredded coconut in a blender with a cup of water and blend until the coconut is completely crushed. Then, strain the mixture through a strainer or cloth to remove any coconut chunks. The resulting milk can be sweetened with honey or brown sugar if desired.

5. Soy: To make homemade soymilk, start by soaking whole soybeans in water for at least 6 hours or overnight. After soaking, drain them and put them in a blender with four cups of water. Blend until the soybeans are completely crushed, then strain the mixture through a strainer or cloth to remove any soybean bits. The resulting milk can be sweetened with honey or brown sugar if desired.

It's important to note that homemade non-dairy milks may not have the same nutritional profile as store-bought non-dairy milks, as the latter are often fortified with additional nutrients. However, homemade vegetable milks can be a healthy and sustainable option if they are made with high-quality ingredients and consumed in combination with a varied and balanced diet.

I hope these ideas have been useful to you and have given you some options for making homemade vegetable milks at home. Good luck and enjoy your homemade drinks!