Almond milk is a great alternative to dairy milk, especially for people who are lactose intolerant or following a vegan diet. It’s also incredibly easy to make at home, and you don’t need any fancy equipment. In this article, we’ll take you through the steps to make almond milk from scratch.

Ingredients:

● 1 cup of raw almonds

● 4 cups of water

● Optional: a sweetener of your choice (honey, maple syrup, dates, etc.)

Equipment:

● Blender

● Nut milk bag or cheesecloth

● Large bowl

● Pitcher or jar for storing your almond milk

Step 1: Soak the almonds

Almonds must first be soaked before being turned into milk. The almonds can be blended more easily and any potential enzyme inhibitors can be eliminated by soaking them first. Simply put the almonds in a bowl and add water to cover them. Give them at least 6 hours or even the entire night to soak.

Step 2: Drain and rinse the almonds

Once the almonds have soaked, drain the water and rinse them well. This will remove any residue or dirt that may have accumulated during the soaking process.

Step 3: Blend the almonds and water

Place the soaked and rinsed almonds in a blender and add 4 cups of water. Blend on high speed for about 2–3 minutes, or until the mixture looks creamy and smooth.

Step 4: Strain the almond milk

Next, strain the almond milk through a nut milk bag or cheesecloth into a large bowl. Squeeze the bag or cheesecloth to extract as much milk as possible. You may need to do this in batches, depending on the size of your nut milk bag or cheesecloth.

Step 5: Sweeten (optional)

If you prefer your almond milk sweetened, you can add a sweetener of your choice at this stage. Popular options include honey, maple syrup, and dates. Simply add your sweetener to the bowl and whisk until it’s fully combined.

Step 6: Store the almond milk

Last but not least, pour your almond milk into a pitcher or jar and put it in the refrigerator. Although it may normally be stored for up to 5 days, homemade almond milk is best used within 3 days.

Tips and tricks:

● You can add vanilla extract, cinnamon, or other flavorings to your almond milk to give it some extra flavor.

● You can use your almond milk in recipes that call for dairy milk, such as smoothies, oatmeal, or baked goods.

● Don’t throw away the almond pulp that’s left over from straining your almond milk. You can use it in recipes such as almond pulp crackers or almond pulp granola.

● If you find that your almond milk is too thin, you can reduce the amount of water you use in the recipe. Similarly, if you find it too thick, you can add more water.

Making almond milk at home is a simple and easy process that only requires a few ingredients and basic equipment. Not only is it a great dairy-free alternative, but it’s also cost-effective and allows you to customize the flavor to your liking. Give it a try and see how easy it is to make your own almond milk!