How to make walnut milk

Are you looking for a healthy and delicious dairy-free alternative to cow’s milk? Look no further than homemade walnut milk! Walnut milk is a nutritious and creamy plant-based milk that is easy to make at home with just a few simple ingredients.

Not only is it a great option for those who are lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy, but it’s also packed with nutrients like protein, fiber, and healthy fats.

In this blog post, I will guide you through the steps to make homemade walnut milk from scratch. Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or just looking to incorporate more plant-based foods into your diet, making your own walnut milk is a delicious and satisfying way to do it.

Contents At A Glance

Gather Ingredients and Supplies

List the ingredients needed to make walnut milk:

Raw walnuts (1 cup)
Water (4 cups)
Sweeteners (optional, such as honey or maple syrup)

Supplies needed:

Blender: A high-speed blender is recommended to achieve a smooth and creamy consistency.
Nut milk bag: A nut milk bag is essential to strain the mixture and remove any solids or pulp.
Storage container: A glass jar or bottle with a tight-fitting lid is recommended for storing the walnut milk in the refrigerator.

Tips to buy quality walnuts:

Buy from a reputable source: Look for trusted brands or stores that sell high-quality raw walnuts.
Check the expiration date: Make sure the walnuts are not expired and still fresh.
Look for whole nuts: Avoid buying pre-shelled walnuts as they can be less fresh and lose their nutritional value more quickly.
Check for signs of rancidity: Check the walnuts for a rancid smell or taste, which can indicate that they are past their prime.
Store properly: To maintain freshness, store walnuts in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.

Soak the Walnuts

Soaking walnuts is an important step when making walnut milk. It helps to soften the nuts, which makes them easier to blend and ultimately results in smoother milk.

Why soaking is important:

Soaking walnuts before making walnut milk is an essential step that can improve the texture and flavor of the final product. Soaking the walnuts softens them, making them easier to blend, and also removes any bitterness from the nuts. Soaking also helps to activate enzymes in the nuts, which can make them more nutritious and easier to digest. This step ensures that your walnut milk will be fresh and free from any unwanted flavors or bacteria.

Steps to soak:

Rinse the walnuts: Rinse the raw walnuts under running water to remove any dirt or debris.
Soak the walnuts: Place the walnuts in a bowl and cover them with water. The water should be at least one inch above the nuts. Soak the walnuts for at least four hours, or overnight for best results.
Drain and rinse the walnuts: After soaking, drain the water and rinse the walnuts under running water.
Use the walnuts: The soaked walnuts are now ready to use in making walnut milk.

Related Topic: What to eat with walnuts

Blend the Walnuts and Water:

How to blend the soaked walnuts:

Add the soaked walnuts and water to a blender: Using a high-speed blender, add the soaked walnuts and water to the blender. The ratio of walnuts to water is typically 1:4, but this can be adjusted depending on how thick or thin you want the milk to be.
Blend on high speed: Blend the mixture on high speed for about 1-2 minutes, or until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Strain the mixture: Pour the mixture through a nut milk bag into a clean container to remove any solids or pulp. Squeeze the bag to extract as much milk as possible.
Store the milk: Transfer the walnut milk to a glass jar or bottle with a tight-fitting lid and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Tips for achieving the best texture and flavor:

Use a high-speed blender: Using a high-speed blender will ensure that the mixture is blended thoroughly and produces a smooth and creamy consistency.
Use fresh and high-quality walnuts: Using fresh and high-quality walnuts will ensure that the milk is rich and flavorful.
Adjust the ratio of walnuts to water: Adjust the ratio of walnuts to water depending on how thick or thin you want the milk to be.

How to add sweeteners or other flavors, if desired:

Sweeteners: If you prefer sweetened walnut milk, you can add a natural sweetener such as honey or maple syrup to the mixture. Add the sweetener to the blender and blend it with the walnuts and water.
Other flavors: You can add other flavors such as vanilla extract, cinnamon, or cocoa powder to the mixture to add extra flavor. Add the flavoring to the blender and blend it with the walnuts and water.

Strain the Mixture:

Using a nut milk bag to remove any pulp or solids:

After blending the walnut and water mixture, pour it through a nut milk bag into a clean container.
The nut milk bag helps to strain out any pulp or solids from the mixture, resulting in a smoother and creamier consistency.
Squeeze the bag to extract as much milk as possible.

Tips for straining the mixture effectively:

Use a fine-mesh nut milk bag: A fine-mesh nut milk bag will help to strain out smaller particles and result in a smoother consistency.
Squeeze the bag gently: Squeezing the bag too hard can cause pulp to pass through the bag and into the milk.
Strain the mixture twice: For an even smoother consistency, strain the mixture through the nut milk bag a second time.
Don’t waste the pulp: The leftover pulp can be used in recipes such as baked goods, smoothies, or oatmeal for added texture and nutrition.

Related Topic: Benefits of black walnut

Store and Enjoy

Storing walnut milk properly is important to ensure its freshness and quality. storing walnut milk is easy and straightforward, and following these tips will help you keep it fresh and delicious for longer.

How to store walnut milk:

Storing walnut milk properly is important to ensure its freshness and quality. To store walnut milk, transfer it to an airtight container, such as a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.

Make sure to leave some space at the top of the container for expansion as the milk may thicken over time. Place the container in the refrigerator and use within 4-5 days. Before using the milk, shake the container well as it may separate during storage.

If you have excess walnut milk that you can’t consume within the recommended time frame, consider freezing it in ice cube trays. This will allow you to use smaller amounts of walnut milk at a time and prevent waste. When you’re ready to use the frozen walnut milk, simply thaw the cubes in the refrigerator or at room temperature.

Overall, storing walnut milk is easy and straightforward, and following these tips will help you keep it fresh and delicious for longer.

Ideas for using walnut milk:

Walnut milk can be a delicious and nutritious dairy-free milk alternative that can be used in a variety of recipes. Here are some ideas for using walnut milk:

Smoothies: Use walnut milk as a base for your favorite smoothie recipe. Its creamy texture and nutty flavor make it a great addition to fruit smoothies.
Coffee: Use walnut milk as a dairy-free alternative to creamer in your coffee. Its nutty flavor can add a unique twist to your morning cup of joe.
Oatmeal: Use walnut milk instead of water or dairy milk to make a creamy and nutritious bowl of oatmeal.
Baked goods: Use walnut milk as a substitute for dairy milk in baked goods like muffins, pancakes, and cakes. Its nutty flavor can add depth to your baked goods.
Soups and stews: Use walnut milk to thicken and add creaminess to soups and stews. Its nutty flavor can complement savory dishes.
Sauces and dressings: Use walnut milk to make creamy sauces and dressings. Its nutty flavor can add richness to your sauces and dressings.

Overall, using walnut milk in recipes is a great way to incorporate its nutrients and unique flavor into your diet. It’s a versatile ingredient that can be used in both sweet and savory dishes.

Tips for reusing the leftover walnut milk:

After making walnut milk, you’ll be left with a pulp that still contains some nutrients and flavor. Here are some tips for reusing the leftover pulp in other recipes:

Baked goods: You can use the leftover pulp as a substitute for almond flour in recipes like muffins, bread, and pancakes. The nutty flavor of the pulp can add depth to your baked goods.
Granola: Mix the leftover pulp with oats, nuts, and sweetener to make a crunchy granola that you can enjoy as a snack or as a topping for yogurt and smoothie bowls.
Hummus: Add the leftover pulp to your homemade hummus for a nutty and flavorful twist.
Energy bites: Mix the leftover pulp with dates, nuts, and seeds to make energy bites that are perfect for a quick snack on-the-go.
Vegetable burgers: Mix the leftover pulp with beans, vegetables, and spices to make delicious and nutritious vegetarian burgers.

Overall, the leftover pulp from making walnut milk can be a great ingredient to add flavor and nutrients to other recipes. Don’t let it go to waste!

Conclusion

Making your own walnut milk is an easy and delicious way to enjoy a dairy-free milk alternative at home. By following these simple steps, you can create a smooth and creamy walnut milk that can be used in a variety of recipes. Whether you drink it on its own or use it as an ingredient in your favorite dishes, walnut milk is a nutritious and tasty option that you can feel good about. So, gather your ingredients and supplies, soak your walnuts, blend and strain the mixture, and enjoy your homemade walnut milk!