Nut Milks 101
If you haven’t noticed yet, we are big fans of nut milks at Fruitive. They are a perfect way to enjoy milk without consuming dairy proteins, which commonly cause inflammation and allergic reactions. Nut milks are friendly to the digestive tract, are environmentally sustainable, and taste delicious. We’ve listed the health benefits of the nuts below that produce a delicious and nutrient-dense nut milk. We are proud to carry each of these in our Norfolk stores as a creamy dairy alternative for our coffee beverages. A select few of these are also available in our Virginia Beach and DC locations! As a bonus, we are sharing with you a recipe that you can make in your own kitchen!
Almond
Almonds are filled with good fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals, making them one of the most nutritionally complete foods around. In addition to their astonishing nutritional composition, they may also help prevent blood sugar spikes and regulate insulin levels while promoting healthy digestion and fabulous skin. So what’s not to love?
Coconut
Rich in vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats, coconut milk helps promote healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels (hello, heart-health!). This tropical nut milk also aids in digestion, weight loss, and muscle growth through medium-chain triglycerides fatty acids. As if there isn’t enough reason to love this mighty milk, we also like coconut milk because of its general low allergen profile, making it a great dairy-alternative for those who have nut allergies.
Macademia
Macademia nuts are another vehicle for healthy fats promoting good heart-health. They also contain flavanoids, which “help prevent cell damage by protecting cells from environmental toxins” and once these flavanoids are in the body, “they convert into antioxidants, which is where the power comes into play”. These antioxidants then help fight off free radicals, reducing the risk of disease. Macademia nut’s powerhouse nutrients doesn’t end there, they also strengthen bones, improve gut health, and support the brain & nervous system. (www.draxe.com/macadamia-nuts)
Brazil Nut
Sure to convert any nut milk skeptic, raw brazil nut milk is rich in flavor with refreshing notes of natural sweetness. You can get your much needed HDL cholesterol, omega-3 fatty acids, a healthy dose of selenium, and protein from this extraordinary milk. Brazil nuts promote antioxidant production from the amino acid methionine, giving your body the tools to fight free radical damage and premature aging. We like to sweeten ours with the addition of fresh + fiber-rich dates creating a wonderfully smooth nut milk that will rock your plant-based world!
Almond Milk Recipe (℅ www.thekitchn.com)
Ingredients:
1 cup raw almonds
2 cups water, plus more for soaking
Sweetener of choice (we like maple syrup or dates!)
Instructions:
Soak the almonds overnight or up to 2 days. Place the almonds in a bowl and cover with about an inch of water. They will plump as they absorb water. Let stand on the counter, covered with a cloth, overnight, or refrigerate for up to 2 days. The longer the almonds soak, the creamier the almond milk.
Drain and rinse the almonds. Drain the almonds from their soaking water and rinse them thoroughly under cool running water. At this point, the almonds should feel a little squishy if you pinch them. (It's best to discard the soaking water because it contains phytic acid, which inhibits the body's ability to absorb nutrients.)
Combine the almonds and water in a blender or food processor. Place the almonds in the blender or food processor fitted with the blade attachment and cover with 2 cups of water.
Blend at the highest speed for 2 minutes. Pulse the blender a few times to break up the almonds, then blend continuously for 2 minutes. The almonds should be broken down into a very fine meal and the water should be white and opaque. (If using a food processor, process for 4 minutes total, pausing to scrape down the sides halfway through.)
Strain the almonds. Line a fine-mesh strainer with either an opened nut milk bag or cheesecloth, and place over a measuring cup. Pour the almond mixture into the strainer.
Press all the almond milk from the almond meal. Gather the nut bag or cheesecloth around the almond mixture and twist close. Squeeze and press with clean hands to extract as much almond milk as possible. You should get about 2 cups.
Sweeten to taste. Taste the almond milk, and if a sweeter drink is desired, add sweetener to taste.