Homemade Almond or Hazelnut Milk Recipe | Solluna by Kimberly Snyder (2024)

FAQs

Why is my homemade almond milk spoiling so fast? ›

The shelf life of almond milk depends on the type of almond milk and how well it is stored. Homemade almond milk or almond milk from a fresh local source doesn't contain any additives to preserve it, so it will only last about five days even if it is properly stored in the refrigerator.

We find that on average, DIY almond milk lasts 4-5 days. If it becomes sour before then, make sure to fully sterilize your equipment before use by running it through the dishwasher or pouring boiling water in your jars (make sure the jars aren't too cold when you do this or they may crack).

Plan ahead: Raw nuts need to soak for at least 12 hours before blending. This saturates the nut from the inside-out, resulting in a smoother, creamier texture. It also yields more liquid, because fully saturated nuts blend better and leave less "pulp" behind.

Most store-bought nut milks have only 2.5% nuts and the rest is water, which means that the nut milk isn't really that nutritious. However, if you make it yourself, you will not only get creamier richer milk, but also more nutrient dense plant milk!

Homemade almond milk goes bad the fastest, and should be drunk within a few days. Almond milk that's gone bad will usually start to look lumpy, clumpy, or generally inconsistent. It'll also start to smell funny, and the taste will be off.

The almonds made just under 700ml (23floz) of milk. The cheap almond milk costs about $4 (£3.15) for 32floz (950ml), the fancier stuff comes in at $7 (£5.51) for 28floz (829ml) so it's decidedly not cheaper to make your own.

The best almonds for homemade almond milk are organic, raw almonds. You don't want almonds that are roasted or salted, as that oil and salt will end up in your milk, altering the flavor. But you can always add a pinch of sea salt to your milk, if that's your preference.

All you need to do is add some lecithin powder which helps to create emulsions, as it contains both hydrophobic (water-hating) and hydrophilic (water-loving) groups. The lecithin will also help prevent the almond milk from separating into two distinct layers.

Soaking roasted nuts brings out their bitterness, and because they're drier to begin with, they yield a gritty milk. (Soaking nuts also won't remove any flavors, so unless you want Thai chili- or salt & vinegar-flavored almond milk, use unseasoned almonds.)

Ha! The process works pretty much exactly with raw unpeeled almonds as well. Almond milk from blanched almonds works so much better in chai (Spiced milk tea/chai latte) or coffee. The blanched almonds give a less intense almond flavor to the milk.

Why is my homemade almond milk separating? ›

Some almond milks will separate because they don't have emulsifiers. Gellan gum is an emulsifier that is in Mooala Almond milk. Carrageenan and xanthan gum are other common ones.

Start with a ratio of 1 cup almonds to 2 cups water when making almond milk. This makes a milk that is roughly the consistency of 2% milk. If you'd like a thinner milk, use more water next time; for thicker milk, use less.

It's rich in antioxidant vitamin E.

Almond milk is a good source of vitamin E, which is important for your immune system and blood vessels. Some studies have shown a link between high vitamin E intake and a lower risk of cognitive diseases like Alzheimer's disease.

Commercial almond milks have about 5 almonds per cup. You can figure that based on either the protein or the fat content. There's a gram of protein, almonds are about 20% protein by weight, and an almond weighs about a gram. Reckoning by the fat calories gives a similar answer.

"Time and temperature abuse is the most common issue for any food spoilage," she says. "Milk should be stored below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and should not be out of refrigeration for more than two hours."

The longer milk is exposed to the heat of a kitchen, the faster bacteria will grow. Help your milk last longer by storing it at the back of the fridge on a shelf near the middle or bottom. Hot air rises, so upper shelves may be a few degrees warmer than lower ones.

Shelf Stable Almond Breeze lets you enjoy all the delicious wholesomeness of plant-based beverages stored in a convenient sustainable package that keeps on the shelf for months when unopened.