DIY Oat and Hemp Milk
I read an article in the Guardian about milk and it’s carbon foot print. Of course cow’s milk have a huge impact on the planet and almond milk is not a good option either. I was happy to read that the best non-dairy milk to drink for the planet is oat and hemp milk. I found that making my own milk is easy and saves a lot of money. Here are some of my favorite nondairy milk recipes. Of course, as with everything homemade without preservatives, it does not last as long. I found the milk usually last at least 2-3 days, so I like to make smaller amounts more often instead. For these recipes you do need a blender and some sort of strainer such as a cheese cloth , or you can invest in a nut milk bag. I store my nondairy milk in sterile glass jars or bottles. Sterilize them by dipping them into boiling water.
Oat milk: Oats is a budget-friendly food and a great source of important vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants.
· ½ cup organic oats
· 5 cups water
· ¼ vanilla bean, seeds used
· 1 small pinch of salt
· 1 tsp. raw coconut oil
· 1 tbsp. sweetener such as agave, maple syrup, raw honey (optional)
Soak oats in water for at least one hour in fridge. Blend water/oats and oil in a blender for a minute or two. Strain in a cheesecloth or milk bag. Add salt, vanilla and sweetener if using.
Hemp milk: This tiny seed is a powerhouse of organic minerals and are 33% protein and packed with Omega-3 fatty acids.
· ¾ cup raw hemp hearts
· 4 cups water
· 1 tsp. raw coconut oil
· ¼ vanilla bean, seeds used
· 1-2 tbsp. sweetener, same as recipes above
· 1 pinch salt
Blend seeds with water in a blender for 1 minute. Strain and return to blender. Add vanilla bean seeds, sweetener, salt and oil, and blend another 20-30 seconds.
When you make homemade plant milk, you end up with lots of pulp so here are some ideas what to do with the pulp and fun recipes.
Here is also my recipe for homemade plant yogurt.
