With more consideration of animal rights, and reducing waste production, Vegan food culture has become a mainstream topic. Animal cruelty is a recognized proposition now. Not only because of the ethical right violation of the animals but also due to the various diseases that arise from animal byproduct usage. Vegan food culture has thus established its stronghold in the minds and hearts of Millenials and most of the Gen Z. Despite the popularity of the notion, vegan products are not easy to come by when in developing countries.
Lesser availability of vegan products has a lot to do with the fact that there are not enough companies that produce vegan-friendly products. The most popular of vegan products, almond milk, which is not readily available. Lesser availability and higher price than the dairy milk curb the practice of vegan food culture.
Unluckily, the lack of availability also affects people with lactose intolerance. As they can not consume dairy milk, almond milk is the only respite that can be offered to them. But you need not worry. With two ingredients, you can make almond milk at home.
Before we begin with the process, let’s look at the benefits of vegan food culture and almond milk:
- Presently when healthier living is being highly stressed upon us, foods that are low in calories are highly appreciated. Fortunately, almond milk has a very low-calorie count.
- Almond milk is also low in sugar.
- Along with being lactose-free, it has vitamin E.
- Depending upon your quality of almonds, it can be high in calcium, too. Thus, fulfilling the lack of dairy calcium.
- It is low in phosphorous and has a balanced quantity of potassium.
- Since almond milk comes from almonds, you consume ethically sourced and cruelty-free products.
How to make almond milk at home?
Ingredients you will need:
- High-quality almonds
- Coldwater
Supplies you will need:
- High-powered blender.
- Muslin cloth strainer.
The process
To make almond milk at home, soak raw almonds in water overnight. The reason to do this is to soften them. After they have softened the next day, you can use them as it is, or even peel them. If you choose not to peel, wash your almonds thoroughly before soaking.
Next, you will need to put the soaked almonds into a high-powered blender and add about four to five cups of fresh cold water to the blender. Blend the whole thing for about five minutes, until it turns smooth and creamlike.
Now, keep a strainer on a bowl. A very thin wired strainer or muslin cloth works the best. Pour the mixture into the strainer or the cloth. Gently squeeze out all the mixture. The liquid that you are left behind with is the almond milk! Put it in an air-tight container and store it in a cool place, like a fridge.
Using the roughage left behind
The vegan food culture is highly appreciated due to its policy of emphasizing lesser food waste. As all foods are plant-sourced, there is always a way to use the byproduct. Therefore, the leftover pulp of your homemade almond milk can be used, too.
Using the almond pulp:
- Several people like their almond milk with the pulp. If you too like it, sweeten up your almond milk, add the pulp, and some ice. You can also add fruits to make a fruit shake. Enjoy your chilled almond milkshake!
- You can also roast the leftover pulp. To do this, bake it in an oven, or roast it in a pan. The roasted pulp can be used as a topping on oatmeals and puddings.
- Add the pulp to your almond milk morning cereal. The pulp provides you with roughage to better your digestive system.
Shelf life
When you make almond milk at home, it is essential to keep its shelf life in mind. Like all dairy milk, almond milk, too, has a shelf life of about three days only. Hence, make small quantities of almond milk and enjoy your vegan meals!