If you’re lactose intolerant, vegan or would just rather not consume dairy, it’s now easier than ever to find and make your own healthy, delicious and creamy nut mylk. Each type has its own unique texture, consistency & nutritional benefits, not to mention drinking mylk won’t deprive you of calcium, protein or minerals, bonus!
In fact, it’s a highly nutritious and kind way to nourish you from the inside out. Store bought mylk’s can be full of hidden nasties (sweeteners, thickeners and stabilizers) so why not make your own at home with these easy steps:
All you need is a choice of: raw nuts, a blender, a fine mesh sieve (you can also buy nut mylk bags), water and time.
Definition: Mylk: a medieval spelling of milk, the word is used to describe non-dairy milk products
You can mylk all kinds of nuts such as almonds, cashews, macadamias, walnuts, hazelnuts and even Brazil nuts.
A general how-to mylk your nuts:
- Soak 1 cup of raw nuts for at least 4-8 hours (this can give you easier blending and more bio availability, aka it’s absorbed more efficiently)
- Rinse your nuts to get rid of any nasties (phytic acid)
- Pop your soaked nuts into a high-speed blender with 4 cups of filtered water until creamy and white
- For any desired sweetness add pitted dates, cinnamon, raw honey or vanilla bean
- Pour your mixture into a glass jar or bottle over a fine mesh sieve (note: you don’t need to sieve macadamia or coconut mylk)
5 mylk alternatives worth trying…
Macadamia mylk (as seen in Lorna’s nourish cookbook)
You will need:
- 1 cup (200g) raw macadamias
- 3 cups (750ml) water
Method
- Combine nuts and the water in a medium bowl. Cover; stand at room temperature for 3 hours.
- Blend macadamia mixture until smooth.
- Doesn’t require straining.
** TIP: For a sweeter taste, add 2-3 dates or a tsp. maple syrup
Coconut mylk (as seen in Lorna’s nourish cookbook)
You will need:
- 1 fresh young drinking coconut
Method
- Open the coconut using a large knife. Cut in a square shape and take off the top.
- Pour the coconut water into blender.
- Using a spoon, scoop out the jelly-like flesh from coconut, add to blender.
- Blend coconut water and flesh until smooth.
- Doesn’t require straining.
Almond mylk
You will need:
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 6 cups filtered water
- Pinch of sea salt
- Mesh cloth or sieve
Method
- Combine nuts, salt and 2 cups of water (or until covered) in a medium bowl. Cover; stand at room temperature for 8-12 hours.
- Drain water and rinse the nuts well.
- Combine almonds with 4 cups of water in a blender on high until smooth.
- Pour the almond mix through a fine mesh strainer into a glass jar or bottle.
- Store in the fridge and enjoy. It will keep for about 4 days and will separate, simply give it a quick shake before consuming.
Check out our how-to video here:
Hazelnut mylk
You will need:
- 1 cup (150g) hazelnuts
- 6 cups filtered water
- Pinch of sea salt
- Mesh cloth or sieve
Method
- Combine nuts, salt and 2 cups of water (or until covered) in a medium bowl. Cover; stand at room temperature for 8-12 hours.
- Drain water and rinse the nuts well.
- Combine hazelnuts with 4 cups of water in a blender on high until smooth.
- Pour the hazelnut mix through a fine mesh strainer into a glass jar or bottle.
- Store in the fridge and enjoy. It will keep for about 4 days and will separate, simply give it a quick shake before consuming.
Walnut mylk
You will need:
- 1 cup (140g) walnuts
- 6 cups filtered water
- Pinch of sea salt
- Mesh cloth or sieve
Method
- Combine nuts, salt and 2 cups of water (or until covered) in a medium bowl. Cover; stand at room temperature for 8-12 hours.
- Drain water and rinse the nuts well.
- Combine walnuts with 4 cups of water in a blender on high until smooth.
- Pour the walnut mix through a fine mesh strainer into a glass jar or bottle.
- Store in the fridge and enjoy. It will keep for about 4 days and will separate, simply give it a quick shake before consuming.
Do you love mylk alternatives? Let us know your favourite ways to make your own!
MNB
Xx