What is nut milk? Well, nut milk is milk made from nuts. Nut milks have been around since the 13th century, and it was used as a replacement for cow’s milk during times of fasting. It is very high in protein, lactose-free, gluten-free, and of course, very tasty. Nut milk can be made with almost any nut, from pecan, cashew, hazelnut, and other nuts, with almond being the most popular type of nut milk.
Nut Milk Trivia
- Almond milk has surpassed soy milk as the number one plant-based milk alternative.
- Nut milks are not a dairy substitute for infants and children.
- Almonds are one of two nuts that are mentioned in the bible.
- The rise in dairy and lactose intolerance in America is partly responsible for the growing popularity of nut milks.
Nut Milk Buying Guide
With the demand for dairy-free milk alternatives growing, the choices for nut milks are also increasing. Here are some of the more popular nut milks and the pros and cons that come with each type.
| Almond Milk | |
| PROS
· High in Calcium · High in Vitamin D · High in Vitamin E |
CONS
· Very high environmental impact · Low in protein |
| Cashew Milk | |
| PROS
· High in Calcium · High in Vitamin D · High in Vitamin E |
CONS
· Very low in protein |
| Macadamia Nut Milk | |
| PROS
· High in Calcium · High in Vitamin D · High in Vitamin B-12 · Decent protein content |
CONS
· Higher fat content |
| Hazelnut Milk | |
| PROS
· High in Protein · High in Vitamin B · High in Vitamin E |
CONS
· High in Fat · Lower Calcium than other varieties |
| Peanut Milk | |
| PROS
· High in Protein
|
CONS
· High fat · Low Calcium · Allergenic |
Now that we know what the pros and cons of each type of nut milk, let’s now look at how to choose which brands to buy, and which to avoid.
The best nut milks are the ones that only contain nuts and water. Anything else added to the nut milk is not needed. Of course, if you want it sweet, then you can look for one with natural sweeteners added, like cane sugar.
Here is a list of things that are commonly added to commercially produced nut milks.
- Carrageenan – This is the most used additive in nut milks. This gives the nut milk creamier texture and gives it that “silky” feel that is usually found in very high-quality artisan nut milks.
- Sunflower Lecithin – While this is technically a natural additive, it isn’t really required for nut milks that are made in small batches. This is used as an emulsifier to keep the nut oils mixed with water.
- Potassium Citrate – This is added to regulate acidity levels in the nut milk.
- Gellan Gum / Xanthan Gum – These are added as thickeners to improve the texture of the nut milk.
- Natural Flavors – Now, this additive is really the kicker. These are unspecified “Natural Flavors.” These are added to give the nut milk a taste that resembles what they truly are.
If you take all of those additives together, you can see that things are being added to make it taste and feel like nut milk. In most commercially produced nut milks, the levels of real nut milk in those mixtures are almost negligible. What you’re tasting and “feeling” as nut milk is actually the texturizers and the “natural” flavorings.
Nut Milk Production & Farming in Texas
There are a few artisan nut milk producers in Texas that produce nut milks from a variety of nuts. These artisan nut milk producers boast of products that contain nothing but nuts and water. While they have a shorter shelf life than the well-known commercial nut milk brands, they are all-organic, and they don’t have any “cheat” additives to improve the texture. Some of them have even grown to supply stores throughout the United States.
Aside from these big local nut milk producers, there are also a lot of coffee shops that make their own nut milks for use in their coffee.
You can also find fully organic nut milks at your local farmers’ markets. The most common nut milk that you can find in Texas being locally produced would be pecan nut milk, as Texas is a considerable producer of pecans.
Packaging:
Commercial nut milk producers pack their nut milks in traditional milk carton packaging. The packaging used for the fully organic and artisan nut milks are usually glass bottles.
Enjoying Nut Milks
Nut milks are best consumed chilled or on ice. You can also warm up nut milks in the microwave, but just be careful not to over heat it.
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Storage:
For unopened commercially produced nut milks, store in a cool and dark place until the best before date. Once opened, they’re best stored in the fridge and consumed within seven days from opening.
For the fully organic artisan nut milk brands, they’re best consumed immediately after purchase and stored in the fridge for a maximum of three to four days.
Making Your Own Nut Milks:
If fully-organic local nut milk isn’t available or if you just want to try making your own, the process is quite simple.
Ingredients
1 cup nuts (any nut will do, but if you’re in Texas, try using some locally grown organic pecan nuts, they’re great)
5 cups filtered water (you can adjust to your desired thickness, more water for thinner milk, less for thicker milk)
1 pinch sea salt
Step one:
In a bowl, add the nuts and add enough water to cover the nuts. Let it soak overnight in the fridge.
Step two:
Drain the water from the nuts and then transfer to a blender. Add the five cups of unfiltered water and the salt. Blend till no more particles are visible.
Step three:
Strain through a fine-mesh strainer covered with a cheesecloth or a nut milk bag. Squeeze the remaining juice from the nut pulp.
Step four:
Transfer to a jar or bottle and chill in the fridge. Homemade nut milks can last for up to four days. Remember to give it a shake or a stir before drinking as the nut oils may separate from the water.
