Milk obtained from almonds is considered a plant-based drink. As with coconut milk, this is not milk, but a mixture of chopped almonds and water. The drink differs from traditional cow or goat drink by its delicate nutty aroma and high content of vitamins.

Almond milk - composition

Vegetarians and fasting people appreciate the composition of almond milk for its absence of animal products, lactose and cholesterol. The drink is suitable for those losing weight or for those who suffer from cow's milk intolerance. Per 100 ml of product there are 3.6 g of protein, 11.1 g of fat and 5.6 g of carbohydrates. Almond milk is rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc. Contains vitamins D and E, microminerals - copper, manganese, and a little iron.

Almond milk - calories

Depending on the preparation method and the products involved, the calorie content of almond milk may vary. The simplest recipe, which involves grinding almond kernels with water, gives a product with 100 kcal per 100 ml, but a more complex one, with vanilla and honey, increases the calorie content to 135 kcal. The energy value is higher than that of cow or goat, the product is more nutritious.

Almond milk - benefits and harms

It will be useful for vegetarians to know the benefits and harms of almond milk in order to be informed about all the properties of the product. The benefits are as follows:

• no cholesterol or lactose, suitable for those with allergies to milk protein;
• serves as a source of calcium, strengthens bones, teeth, improves the condition of nails, hair, skin;
• due to phosphorus and magnesium, it maintains the functioning of the heart and blood quality;
• Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids normalize blood pressure and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease;
• vitamin D reduces the risk of developing osteoporosis and rickets;
• B vitamins affect the muscular and nervous system, A provides improved vision.

For medicinal purposes, you can use tender milk obtained from almond kernels. Here are its advantages:

• helps with pneumonia, inflammatory conditions, treats colds;
• eliminates cramps, migraines;
• normalizes the functioning of the food, renal and urinary systems;
• reduces the risk of developing atherosclerosis and anemia;
• relieves colic, severe cough, asthma attacks;
• eliminates insomnia, headaches, numbness of the limbs;
• has an anti-hangover effect;
• increases immunity.

Almond milk is also used in cosmetology. It is rich in useful substances, which gives the following effects:

• softens and moisturizes the skin;
• cleanses, whitens;
• removes makeup;
• promotes weight loss.

However, there are certain contraindications for use:

• Do not drink milk if you are allergic to nuts or have an individual intolerance;
• store-bought milk contains carrageenan, which, if taken regularly, can cause inflammation of the stomach and intestines, and provoke ulcers and coronary artery disease;
• Due to the addition of carrageenan, there is a risk of causing cancer.

Almond milk for children

Almond milk can be given to children only in preschool age, that is, after 3-4 years, provided there is no individual intolerance. It should not be given to infants, since they will not receive the necessary nutrients that mother's milk or even cow's milk contains. In addition, it is impossible to predict premature nut allergy, which will manifest itself in the form of urticaria, swelling or diathesis.

Almond milk - recipe

The simplest almond milk recipe will appeal to home cooks because it can be used to make a delicious treat without much hassle. The remaining cake can be flavored with cinnamon, cocoa, and decorated as candy. Each almond milk recipe can be supplemented with other ingredients: coconut flakes, maple syrup, nutmeg. It’s very tasty to replace classic milk with almond milk when drinking coffee or cocoa, or to make salad dressing.

Almond milk

• Cooking time: 12 hours.
• Number of servings: 1 person.
• Calorie content of the dish: 135 kcal.
• Purpose: for a snack.
• Kitchen: author's.

Make delicious almond milk simply by following the recipe below. All you need is a handful of nuts and simple boiled or filtered water. Instructions with a step-by-step description of the preparation steps will tell you how to make almond milk, which is perfect for drinking on its own or adding to hot drinks. A cup of milk can replace a snack.

Ingredients:

• almond kernels without skin – 200 g;
• water - liter;
• vanilla extract – 10 ml;
• honey – 20 ml.

Cooking method:

1. Soak almonds in water overnight and leave at room temperature.
2. The next morning, grind in a blender until smooth, sweeten with honey and vanilla.
3. Add stevia extract if desired.
4. Instead of whole nut kernels, you can use ready-made almond flour. This milk can be stored for a day.

Almond milk jelly

1. Cooking time: 7 hours.
2. Number of servings: 4 persons.
3. Calorie content of the dish: 193 kcal.
4. Purpose: for dessert.
5. Kitchen: author's.
6. Difficulty of preparation: medium.

Almond milk jelly is very aromatic and unusual, which can be served as a sweet snack or dessert in the evenings. You can even treat it to visiting friends: it will appeal to those who love the traditional Italian dessert panna cotta, but avoid eating a lot of heavy cream. Do not throw away the cake after making jelly - it will make aromatic cookies or an additive to porridge.

Ingredients:

• raw almonds - a handful;
• water – 0.4 l;
• coconut flakes – 20 g;
• sugar – 60 g;
• cream 10% fat – 100 ml;
• gelatin – 20 g.

Cooking method:

1. Soak the nuts in a glass of cold water for five hours, drain the liquid, add shavings and powdered sugar obtained by grinding sugar.
2. Beat with a blender with the remaining water, filter.
3. Combine the cream with gelatin, let it brew for 40 minutes, heat without bringing to a boil.
4. Combine the mixtures, pour into molds, and let harden in the refrigerator.

Porridge with almond milk

• Cooking time: half an hour.
• Number of servings: 2 persons.
• Calorie content of the dish: 72 kcal.
• Purpose: for a snack.
• Kitchen: author's.
• Difficulty of preparation: simple.

An older child will love porridge with almond milk, which is perfect for breakfast provided there are no allergies. This pleasant dish can also be eaten by adults - vegetarians for a snack, fasting for dinner or losing weight for an afternoon snack. Season the porridge well with fruits and berries, pour in syrup or honey. Instead of oatmeal, you can use any other cereal.

Ingredients:

• Hercules oat flakes – 60 g;
• almond milk - a glass;
• bananas – 1 pc.;
• maple syrup – 40 ml;
• almond paste – 20 g;
• blueberries – 100 g;
• salt – 2 g.

Cooking method:

1. Pour milk over the cereal, add salt, and add 2/3 of the banana slices.
2. Cook for 10 minutes, reduce heat, simmer for five minutes.
3. Add syrup, paste and berries, stir.
4. Serve with remaining banana garnish.

Video: How to make almond milk at home

• 60 calories
• 2 g carbohydrates
• 1 gram protein
• 3 grams fat
• 1 gram dietary fiber
• 10 mg vitamin E - 50% DV
• 100 IU vitamin D - 25% DV
• 200 mg calcium - 20% DV
• 16 mg magnesium - 4% DV
• 40 mg phosphorus - 4% DV

Of all the available casein-free alternatives, almond milk has the richest nutritional profile. Rice, coconut and soy milk lag behind or have more restrictions on intake.

Not only casein, but also lactose can cause persistent ailments.

Judging by statistics, lactose intolerance should be suspected even more often than milk protein intolerance. According to WHO statistics, in the United States, up to 25% have poor absorption of milk sugar. In Russia this number is about 16%. From the point of view of casein and lactose, almond milk is a complete benefit: there is neither one nor the other substance.

Benefits for weight loss and weight stabilization.

And again let’s compare the product from cow milk and the drink made from almonds. Calorie intake is a key factor in the success of most diets. One full glass of traditional milk of varying fat content:

• 0.5% - 84 kcal
• 1% - 100 kcal
• 2.5% - 122 kcal
• 3.5% - 142 kcal

And only 60-70 kcal in almond milk! A good drink for anyone who wants to lose weight or maintain normal weight.

Nutritional benefits for diabetics.

And all people with hyperinsulinism. This is a condition when blood glucose levels fluctuate greatly and insulin is released in excess. These people include those with a sweet tooth, women who often lose weight, and most city dwellers with an unhealthy diet, when there are long breaks between meals.

Almond milk has little effect on insulin levels, has a low glycemic index (about 20) and is recommended in the diet to control glucose spikes.

Supports heart and vascular health.

The product is plant-based and contains no cholesterol by definition. Low sodium, high in vitamin E and calcium, magnesium and monounsaturated fats. A solid combination to protect against oxidative stress and support normal blood pressure.

Nourishes the beauty of the skin.

This valuable property provides half the daily requirement of vitamin E - the main antioxidant for healthy and youthful skin.

Helps bones stay strong.

And along with them, it strengthens tooth enamel. The reason for the beneficial effect is calcium and the phosphorus, magnesium and manganese necessary for its proper absorption.

• To maximize the effect of the product, add to your meal a salad of leafy vegetables, including cabbage, and foods with vitamin D (for example, a chicken or quail egg). Sources of vitamin D for strict vegetarians and raw foodists are mushrooms, including champignons.

A good drink for digestion.

A whole gram of fiber from a drink! A very good choice if we care about getting enough fiber.

Let us remind you that the average dietary fiber requirement for an adult is from 20 to 30 grams per day.

Culinary advantages of the product

Delicious sweetish taste.

Often it is children who choose almond milk over cow milk. It is excellent for cold soups and light smoothies with berries and banana. It quenches thirst better, has an almost familiar texture, but a more delicate taste.

Interesting cooking at home.

Almond milk is one of those recipes that kids are curious about. Soaking, blending and straining are accessible processes in every kitchen, yet easy and unusual for inquisitive kids. We started preparing this milk for the sake of the children and immediately involved them in the business.

And no waste!

The cake remaining after straining is useful and tasty to add to baked goods, smoothies, porridges, vegetarian cutlets and pates, cold soups and fruit purees.

Place it on a tray, dry it slightly and freeze it in portions. A healthy supplement rich in fiber - always on hand for 2-3 months!

Particularly beneficial is that by soaking the almonds in the pulp, there is almost no antinutrient phytic acid left, which compromises the benefits of all nuts and grains.

Cooking recipe - with photos at home

Almond milk can be your baby's breakfast in minutes if you soak some almonds tonight.

For about 1 glass we need:

• Raw almonds (!) - 1 cup
• Drinking water for soaking - 2 cups
• Drinking water for mixing with nuts - 2 cups
• Spices and extracts to taste: we do not add
• Powerful blender: from 600, preferably 800 rpm

Want more servings? Multiply by the number of eaters.

How to cook.

We wash the nuts in running water and add drinking water to completely cover the kernels. You can add salt - 1 teaspoon per 1 glass of water.

Leave for at least overnight (12 hours), or even better for 1 day (24 hours).

Place the soaked almonds in a colander, rinse and place in a blender.

Add clean drinking water to the bowl of the device and turn on first low, then high speed. In a powerful device, the process takes 2-3 minutes.

Result: a dense white liquid, which must be filtered through 2-3 layers of gauze or a very fine sieve. Almond milk is ready!

Our experience with spice and sweetness.

No additives - unusual agave or maple syrup, nutmeg, honey or vanilla extract, which Americans often cook with and tireless gourmets experiment with. We also do not use boiling water or peel the nuts.

Making the most of your choice is the simplest recipe using raw nuts to preserve their nutritional value. Try it! This milk has every chance of becoming your favorite among nut drinks.

Possible harm and precautions

Let's start with money. It will harm the budget; almonds are not a cheap nut. But if health conditions require you to abandon traditional milk, then almonds are the best alternative.

As the name suggests, almond milk is obtained by processing the nuts of the same name. The product has become widespread due to its beneficial qualities. Therefore, more and more people are trying to prepare the composition at home to improve the health of the body. Today we will look at the basic principles and highlight important aspects.

Features of almond milk

1. Thanks to the fact that all major supermarkets are stocked with a variety of products, you can find almond milk with a completely natural (or almost) composition. This only doubles the benefits of the product.
2. If you buy milk with preservatives, it is usually oversaturated with granulated sugar and other flavoring and aromatic additives. Similar components are added to increase shelf life.
3. Homemade milk, on the contrary, does not last long, but is considered completely natural. You can prepare it yourself by following the recipes. The final product will have a creamy aftertaste and a number of beneficial properties.
4. During the cooking process, you can vary the amount of granulated sugar yourself. Some people use powdered substitutes or honey (recommended) instead. This product contains the daily requirement of minerals valuable for the heart and bones.
5. The simplest preparation method involves only water, salt, lemon and nuts. But you can make the taste richer and add other “notes”.
6. In order to increase the fat content of the product, it is more advisable to use almond oil, coconut oil, lecithin and other natural ingredients. Almond milk goes well with vanilla.
7. If you decide to skip the granulated sugar and not use it in the recipe, the final product will be tender. It can later be added to porridge, coffee or tea drinks, smoothies, etc.
8. You can make various first courses, broths, baked goods, sauces, and breakfast cereals using almond milk. During the cooking process, natural juice, chocolate chips, turmeric, fruits with berries or candied fruits are added.

Traditional almond milk

• filtered water - 0.75 l.
• almonds - 240 gr.
• salt - 2 pinches
• lemon juice - 5 ml.

1. Prepare a container for mixing ingredients, a glass jar will do. Pour nuts and salt into it, add lemon juice. Pour in water, stir and cover the container with a lid.
2. Leave in the dark and at medium temperature for about 11 hours, during which time the nuts will soak. Then drain the water; we will no longer use it to prepare the product.
3. Place the almonds in a strainer and rinse with filtered water. Remove the skins from the nuts, place them in a blender and add water according to the recipe. Turn all ingredients into a homogeneous mass.
4. Arm yourself with a fine-grained strainer. Line it with 3-5 layers of gauze and pour the mixture here. The liquid should drain into a separate container located under the sieve. Wring out the gauze thoroughly.
5. The nut cake remaining from the procedure is used as a filling for baked goods, porridge, cocktails, smoothies and other delicacies. It is also used to make body scrub or face masks.
6. After straining, the milk must be poured into a sterilized container and covered with a lid. This composition is stored for about 3 days in the cold and in a dark bottle.

Almond milk with cocoa

1. Children love this treat very much. As an additional ingredient to traditional almond milk, you need to take cocoa powder or chocolate chips.
2. All ingredients, including almond milk, are sent to a blender and thoroughly beaten until a homogeneous structure and shade is obtained. This cocktail is consumed immediately.

1. Usually, washed and pitted dates are used as sweeteners. You will need about 5 pieces. Also take a tablespoon of coconut oil and about half a teaspoon of vanilla extract.
2. The ingredients are added to milk prepared according to the traditional recipe indicated above. Pour out approximately 480 ml. mixture into a blender, beat together with the rest of the ingredients.
3. You can take not natural dates, but a syrup based on them. Some people prefer to replace coconut oil with almond oil to improve the taste.

Cinnamon Almond Milk

1. This drink is ideal for those losing weight, because it enhances metabolic processes and promotes comfortable weight loss. To curb hunger, add cinnamon or turmeric powder.
2. To determine the proportions you need to measure out about 450 ml. traditional almond milk, homemade, and a small teaspoon of cinnamon. All ingredients are whipped and the cocktail is drunk immediately.
3. If desired, you can supplement the main components with nutritious fruits, for example, banana. To do this, it is first crushed with a blender, then mixed into the total mass.

Almond milk with strawberries

1. As in all previous recipes, it is best to use ready-made almond milk as a basis. You will make it according to the recipe proposed above. Everything is simple and transparent.
2. As for the quantity of strawberries, you need to take them at your own discretion. At 0.6 l. Milk requires about 1.5 glasses of fresh berries. Rinse it, free it from the tails, and dry it.
3. Now add the berries separately into a blender cup and process them with a household appliance. If desired, add any sweetener, be it granulated sugar, honey or vanilla.
4. Pour in the almond milk in a small stream while whisking the ingredients at low power. When the cocktail becomes homogeneous, it is poured into a glass and consumed immediately.

It's easy to make milk from almonds if you follow the basic instructions carefully. If desired, the product using traditional technology can be supplemented with spices, berries, fruits and other ingredients.

Video: almond milk recipe

Almond milk is a great addition not only for cocktails, liqueurs or coffee, but also for preparing fish and seafood. Many people don’t even realize that this is a real nut product, and not almond flavoring added to regular milk - the drink turns out to be so tasty. But I’ll warn you right away - this recipe is not for everyone, since the bitterness of almonds is not to everyone’s liking.

Homemade almond milk is very concentrated, so you will need to dilute it to your liking to add the drink to dough or another product, such as a smoothie.

Prepare 0.5 cups of peeled almond kernels or a full meal - as much as will fit in your palm. By the way, it is best to choose non-bitter varieties of almond nuts and they can be stored almost all year round if they are thoroughly dried beforehand.

To make the skin on the kernels less dense, you need to soak them in boiling water for 10-15 minutes. Many cooks advise boiling the kernels for 5 minutes, but it is best not to heat treat them. If you want a pure white drink, remove the peel. If you want to create a beige almond milk, do not remove it.

Pour the kernels into a blender container and pour in 5 tbsp. chilled boiled water.

Grind everything into a homogeneous paste for 3-5 minutes in pulsating mode.

Strain the contents of the blender through a strainer into a cup or glass. You can dry the remaining mass of chopped almonds and also use them for culinary purposes!

Dilute the finished almond milk with the remaining amount of water and use it for its intended purpose, which is known only to you!

Good luck with your new culinary experiments!

Almond milk, which is gaining more and more popularity every day, can be easily prepared at home. In addition, to make it yourself, you only need two components - almonds and plain water, which distinguishes a homemade product from a store-bought one, because the latter often suffers from an imperfect composition. Almond milk is suitable both for serving on its own and as a component for baking and making dessert dishes. You can use it to cook porridge, bake pancakes, or add it to coffee, tea, non-alcoholic cocktails or smoothies. Almond milk can be consumed during fasting as an alternative to cow's milk, and is also suitable for vegetarians and people with lactose intolerance. A dish with the addition of this drink turns out to be very tender, light, and imbued with a pleasant nutty taste.

The benefits of almond milk are a topic for a whole separate article, so let’s say briefly: this drink contains a huge amount of calcium, trace elements and vitamins. Moreover, here these substances are in dissolved form, which facilitates easy absorption by the body, which is why almond milk is especially recommended for children. So, if you are not yet familiar with the popular miracle drink, let’s correct this omission and move on to the recipe! In general, almond milk is prepared quickly, but you need to take into account the time for infusion and swelling of the nuts. To avoid long waits and counting hours, we recommend soaking the nuts in water the night before and refrigerating them overnight. In the morning, with the help of a blender, we will have time to complete the preparation, and by breakfast we can already enjoy a silky, tasty drink.

Ingredients:

• almonds (unroasted) - 150 g;
• drinking water - 700 ml.

Almond milk recipe at home

1. First you need to prepare the almonds, namely peel them from the brown skin. To do this, pour the nuts into a convenient heat-resistant container. Pour boiling water - the liquid should completely cover the almonds. Leave for 10 minutes.
   
2. Then remove the steamed skin. After being in boiling water, the skin will swell, soften, and the nuts will be easy to peel. If the almonds are difficult to peel, pour boiling water again, after draining the cooled liquid.
   
3. Place the peeled kernels in a clean container and fill with cold drinking water (700 ml). Leave for 2-4 hours, or better yet, cover the container with cling film/lid and put it in the refrigerator overnight.
   
4. Pour the water along with the swollen almonds into a deep glass for making cocktails or the bowl of a stationary blender. Mix thoroughly at high speed for 2-5 minutes, like a cocktail or smoothie. As a result, the nuts should be crushed into minimal crumbs (almost into flour), and the water should acquire a rich white color like regular cow's milk. If desired, you can add honey or sugar and beat a little more; you can also flavor the liquid with cinnamon, nutmeg or other spices. But even in its pure form without additives, almond milk turns out very tasty and balanced.
   
5. Strain the finished drink through 4 layers of gauze to get rid of small particles of nuts and get perfectly homogeneous, tender and silky milk. We do not throw away the almond crumbs remaining on the fabric - they can be dried and added to biscuits, cookies, muffins, pancakes, etc. in the future. After straining and all manipulations, approximately 500 g of pure finished drink is obtained. Homemade almond milk can be stored in the refrigerator in a covered container for 2-3 days.
   
6. We use our healthy and tasty drink in any way you like - sip it through a straw with cookies and other sweets, add it to tea, coffee, cocoa, etc., or leave it for preparing other dishes.
   

Homemade almond milk is ready! Bon appetit and successful culinary experiments!