Best Plant Milk Recipes & Manufacturer Review

More recently, it was believed that milk is an irreplaceable product, and without it, the body will not receive many important and useful substances. However, this statement is wrong. There is a decent alternative to animal milk - plant milk. As a result of increased allergy to cow protein and lactose intolerance, more and more people are switching to plant-based milk. What kind of product it is, what are the best manufacturers and how to cook it yourself, we will consider in this article.

The benefits of plant milk

Essentially, plant-based milk is a drink made from crushed and squeezed raw material mixed with water. Such milk is made from nuts, seeds, legumes. You can also find coconut, rice, oat milk and others.

Each type of plant milk contains a large amount of vitamins and microelements, and is not inferior in usefulness, and in some ways even exceeds cow's. It is an excellent substitute for animal milk if it shows signs of lactose intolerance, such as stomach pain, heaviness, bloating, diarrhea and other symptoms. The taste of plant milk depends on the raw material from which it is made. Some types of herbal drink are very reminiscent of cow's milk, while others have in common only the color of the product.

To improve the taste of plant milk, you can sweeten it with honey, Jerusalem artichoke syrup, and chopped dates. For flavor, add cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger and other spices. It can be added to coffee, cereals, used for cooking, sauces, smoothies and cocktails. The drink is suitable for people with a cow's milk intolerance, allergy sufferers, vegetarians, vegans and people who observe fasting and enjoy a healthy lifestyle.

Best Plant Milk Producers

As a result of increased demand, plant-based milk is now available in almost every major supermarket. Until recently, foreign-made products predominated on Russian counters. It is represented by such manufacturers as: Alpro, Isola bio, Scotti, Foco, Aroy-D and others. But now you can find this product and domestic production, such brands as: Bite, Ne Moloko and "Flora". Which company is better to choose a herbal drink will help a small review made below.

Alpro original soy drink

In the ranking of leaders - a product of the Belgian company Alpro, specializing in vegetable milk. Has a sweetish delicate creamy taste. Made from high quality soybeans. Enriched with calcium and vitamins B2, B12, D.
Due to its creamy taste, it can completely replace cow's milk in cooking, adding to coffee, cereals, etc.

Caloric content per 100 g - 39 kcal.
The price for 1 liter is 200 rubles.

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

Also in the line of Alpro soy drinks are:

• Soy milk with calcium without added sugar. Contains artificial preservatives and stabilizers.
• BIO soy drink. It contains only water, soy, cane sugar and salt.
• Vanilla drink. In addition to vanilla flavoring, natural carrot extract is added to the composition.

Alpro almond drink

This popular vegan drink has a delicate nutty flavor. Great for adding to coffee, tea, making cocktails. Contains B vitamins, as well as vitamin E, D2.
Energy value (100 g): 24 kcal
Price for 1 liter: 290 rubles.

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

Isola Bio rice drink with coconut milk

Natural plant milk made from selected Italian rice. The aroma of coconut complements the delicate taste of milk. The content of coconut in the product is at least 4%, rice - 17%. Completely gluten-free product is suitable for people with celiac disease.
Can be used as just a healthy drink or added to baked goods, muesli, coffee and other dishes.

Caloric content (100 g): 62 kcal.
Price: 340 rubles per 1 liter.

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

Riso Scotti natural rice drink

An Italian-made Scotti product has a completely natural composition without sugar and artificial preservatives. Suitable for those who value not only the taste, but also the composition of the drink. It can also be consumed by allergy sufferers, since rice is considered a low-allergenic product.

Nutritional value (100 g): 61 kcal.
The cost of 1 liter is 250 rubles.

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

Coconut milk Aroy-D

This drink is perfect for those who want to add an exotic touch to their usual dishes. It goes well with both meat and vegetables and cereals. Despite its high fat content, coconut milk lowers cholesterol because it does not contain animal fats.
The manufacturer has retained all the benefits of Thai coconut, thanks to an absolutely natural composition, which includes only two ingredients: coconut 60% and water 40%.
The product is available in a 400 ml can. Country of origin - Thailand.

Energy value 100 g: 177 kcal.
Price for 400 ml: 170₽

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

Bite oat drink

The company, which specialized in the production of natural fruit and cereal bars, has recently started producing plant-based milk. The line includes 5 types of plant milk: oat, soy, soy vanilla, rice with coconut, almond.
Oat milk has a light sweetish taste. Suitable for adding to cereals, muesli, smoothies, pancakes. The ideal composition, which contains only oats and water, will attract healthy eating enthusiasts. Also, the undoubted advantage will be the low calorie content - 46 kcal.

The price for 1 liter is 210 rubles.

Advantages:

Minuses:

Flora Fitomilk soy

Low-calorie soy milk, high in protein and reduced in fat and carbohydrates. This makes the drink an ideal source of vegetable protein. Suitable for vegan athletes.
Milk is not sweet, has a light soy taste, so it is ideal for making sauces, soups, and can also be used in baked goods and other dishes. In addition to soy and water, the composition contains salt. However, there are no artificial preservatives or flavors.

Caloric content per 100 g - 36 kcal.
Price: 180 rubles per 1 liter.

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

Nemoloko oat fruit exotic

A novelty among the Nemoloko product line of Sady Pridonya, which has already taken a strong position on Russian counters among foreign competitors. The first thing that attracts buyers is the price, which is 1.5-2 times lower than similar products of plant milk. The composition of the products is also pleasing. Oatmeal fruit drink contains: water, oatmeal, passionfruit and orange juice, mango puree. It is an excellent substitute for milkshakes. It quenches thirst well, tones up, while containing few calories. Suitable for those who, for various reasons, do not consume milk of animal origin.

Caloric content in 100 g of product is 50 kcal.
The price for 1 liter is 119 rubles.

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

You can read more about the properties of various types of plant milk and products from the best manufacturers in separate article.

Criteria for choosing industrial plant milk

1. Pay attention to the ingredients on the packaging. The less artificial additives the better.
2. Give preference to cardboard vacuum packaging that does not transmit light.
3. The presence of sugar in the composition is not encouraged.
4. If you are gluten intolerant, choose products that do not contain wheat, barley, or rye.

By following these simple tips, you will know what to look for in the store and avoid mistakes when choosing.

Advantages of industrial plant milk:

Disadvantages:

How to make plant-based milk yourself

Despite the fact that the demand for vegetable milk is growing, many are confused by the overpriced and unsatisfactory composition of some types of vegetable product. Therefore, it is better to prepare such milk yourself, because in home production you can be sure of the natural composition of the product. This is not difficult to do. Below are the descriptions of various recipes for preparing vegetable milk.

Coconut milk

Coconut milk is considered one of the healthiest types of herbal drink. It contains a storehouse of nutrients, vitamins and fiber. Reduces cholesterol, thanks to substances that improve the breakdown and excretion of fat. It has a positive effect on the health of the cardiovascular system. Coconut contains caprylic acid, which helps fight infections with anti-inflammatory properties.

Coconut milk will be doubly useful if you cook it yourself. This requires only two ingredients:

• coconut;
• 2 cups boiling water.

Preparation:

1. Peel the coconut.
2. Grate the pulp on a medium grater.
3. Boil water and pour over coconut pulp about one to one. Allow to cool completely.
4. After complete cooling, interrupt the mass with a blender for cocktails and smoothies for 1-2 minutes.
5. Pour the coconut gruel into a clean and folded cheesecloth several times. Squeeze out the contents well.
6. Pour the filtered milk into a glass container and store in the refrigerator with the lid closed for no more than two days.
7. The leftover cake can be dried and used in baked goods like coconut flakes.

Benefits of Coconut Milk:

Disadvantages:

Almond milk

Almond milk is a favorite of many herbalists. Not surprising, because it is a valuable source of plant protein and vitamin E. Almond milk is also rich in calcium, which is good for teeth, hair and nails. In addition, it is very tasty, has a delicate creamy taste with a nutty aroma. Great for adding to coffee, muesli, cereals and baked goods.

Recipe for milk from almonds with honey

• 1 cup almonds
• 3-4 glasses of water;
• 1 tsp honey and vanilla extract (optional).

Cooking method:

1. Rinse the almonds, cover with clean water and leave to swell for 8 hours, you can overnight;
2. Rinse the soaked nuts again and, if desired, peel them, this will give the milk a pure white color;
3. Pour a glass of water and, using a jug blender, grind until smooth;
4. Add the rest of the water, honey, vanilla and beat again in a blender;
5. Cover the sieve with 4 times folded gauze or a thin cloth, placing a container for collecting milk under the bottom;
6. Pour whipped almonds with water into cheesecloth and, tying with a bag, squeeze well;
7. Pour the collected milk into a clean glass container and store in the refrigerator for no more than two days.

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

Hemp milk

Hemp seed produces a very healthy and vitamin-rich drink that has nothing to do with narcotic substances. Hemp milk is especially valuable for vegans and raw foodists as it contains the rare vitamin B12. It is also rich in phosphorus and calcium, which are good for bones. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, which are part of the composition, reduce the risk of cancer, improve the condition of the skin, and prevent diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

Hemp milk contains more plant protein than soy milk, and unlike the latter, hemp is not grown using genetically modified technologies.

Refined hemp seed milk recipe

• hemp seed - 1 cup;
• water - 3 glasses;
• agave syrup sweetener - 2 tbsp spoons.

Preparation:

1. Soak the seeds in water for 3-4 hours;
2. Rinse and fill with three glasses of water;
3. Place in a blender bowl and beat at high speed for 2 minutes;
4. Pass the resulting liquid through cheesecloth or a fine sieve, squeeze the juice into a prepared container;
5. Add sweetener if desired.

This drink can be prepared without fructose syrup if you use milk as a base for smoothies, cereals and sauces. In the same way, milk is prepared from unrefined hemp seeds.

To extend the shelf life, you can add a teaspoon of lemon juice to the drink. But still, fresh hemp milk is not stored for more than 3 days in the refrigerator.

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

Hazelnut milk

Hazelnuts are very nutritious nuts. Contains a number of B vitamins, vitamins A and E. Therefore, the use of hazelnut milk is good for the eyes, eyes, skin and reproductive system.Beta carotene prevents the development of cataracts, coronary heart disease and other diseases. Unsaturated fatty acids contained in hazelnut oil accelerate metabolism, normalize the functioning of the thyroid gland.

Milk obtained from hazelnuts is very nutritious, therefore it is useful for children, athletes, people engaged in hard physical labor. It also contains folic acid, which is especially useful for those planning a pregnancy.

Hazelnut milk with dates

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unroasted hazelnuts
• 4 cups water
• 3-4 dates.

Recipe:

1. Soak nuts in water for 24 hours;
2. Rinse the dates, remove the seeds;
3. Rinse and grind the hazelnuts in a powerful blender with the addition of water and dates;
4. Strain through cheesecloth, store the resulting liquid in the refrigerator for three days.

According to the same recipe, you can make milk from Brazil nuts, cashews, walnuts and other types of nuts.

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

Pistachio milk

Many people are accustomed to taking pistachios simply as a snack. However, they produce very tasty and nutritious milk with a creamy taste and an unusual light green hue. Pistachio milk contains zinc, a lot of magnesium, potassium, vitamins E and K, omega-3 fatty acids.

This drink can completely replace cow's milk by adding it to dishes in the same proportions. It goes well with cardamom. You can also add cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, Jerusalem artichoke syrup or agave nectar to milk.

Raw Peeled Pistachio Milk Recipe

1. Pour a glass of pistachios with water and leave for 6-8 hours at room temperature;
2. Rinse the nuts, transfer to a blender bowl and pour three glasses of hot, but not boiling water;
3. Punch at maximum speed, cooking time - 3 minutes;
4. Pour the resulting mixture into gauze folded several times or a special bag and strain;
5. Store prepared milk in a cold place for 3-4 days.

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

Tips for making plant-based milk

1. Use fresh and high quality raw materials;
2. You can adjust the fat content of milk by the amount of water, the optimal ratio is 1: 3, for nuts 1: 4;
3. Store milk in a sterile glass container;
4. Shake the drink well before use;
5. Do not discard the remaining cake. It can be used for various purposes: added to dishes and baked goods, make cosmetic masks and scrubs, used as fertilizer, and so on.

So, we see that plant milk can not only completely replace cow's or goat's, but is also an extremely useful product. A review of store products and a selection of recipes shows that this milk can be used every day not only by people who do not consume animal products, but also simply to vary their diet. If you have interesting recipes for making vegetable milk at home, share them in the comments!