What is Almond Milk? The composition and calorie content of the product. The beneficial effect of the drink on the body. Why is it better for some not to use it? How to prepare milk at home, what dishes can you add it to? Interesting facts about the herbal product.
Contraindications and harm to almond milk
This delicious drink is zealously defended by supporters of diets that exclude animal food. Given the list of utilities described above, this is not surprising. However, do not forget that there is evidence about the dangers of almond milk.
To a greater extent, they relate to an industrially prepared product. Carrageenan contained in a store drink can provoke bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract and negatively affect the health of people with coronary heart disease and cancer.
It is worth noting that too much homemade almond milk can have a negative effect on health. Consider the harmful effect of the product on the body in the form of a table:
| Disease | The cause of the ailment | Effects |
| Allergy | A large number of allergenic components | Sore throat, lacrimation, itching, sneezing, laryngeal edema, choking |
| Gastritis, stomach ulcer | Blocking the production of enzymes that process fats | Heaviness in the stomach, aching pains, colic, "stomach stoppage", vomiting |
| Diarrhea | The presence of fats | Strengthening the laxative effect |
| Thyroid ailments | Content of components that affect hormonal levels | Change in body weight, negative effects on the heart and nervous system |
How to make almond milk?
Nut milk is a fairly popular product, so you can often find it on the shelves of large supermarkets and small shops. We have already written that due to the presence of the preservative carrageenan in it, it has a number of contraindications. Homemade, freshly prepared almond milk is believed to be healthier. And, best of all, it's not difficult to make it. We will tell you about the classic version of making almond milk.
To do this, take 1 cup of raw, unroasted almonds. Cover the nuts with plenty of purified water. Leave them in water for 12-14 hours. During this time, they will increase in size.
Before making almond milk, drain the water, rinse the nuts, pour boiling water over them and leave them covered for 15-20 minutes. This procedure will help you peel them off easily. Some do not do it, since this work is rather painstaking and not very pleasant. However, the peel will give the drink a tart taste and not a very beautiful color - slightly grayish.
After you peel the almonds, place them in a blender and pour over one glass of room temperature purified water. Grind the almonds with water to crush the nuts as hard as possible.
When you see that the liquid is completely white, like cow's milk, add the rest of the water and turn on the blender for another 40-60 seconds. Strain the milk, squeeze the cake thoroughly. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
By the way, there is absolutely no need to throw away the cake. It is a delicious product that can be added to desserts, pastries, sauces and many other dishes.
Almond Milk Food and Drink Recipes
Almond milk is a great drink on its own. At the same time, it is considered an equally wonderful ingredient, from which many dishes and drinks are prepared.
Try the delicious desserts:
- Ice cream … This recipe with almond milk is perfect for people with lactose intolerance, athletes, and those on a diet. Soak the agar pack in water. Mix it with 200 ml of almond milk and 50 g of vanilla protein. Use a blender to get a smoother paste. Don't overdo it - mix for no more than 20 seconds. Pour the resulting mass into molds, send first to the refrigerator for 30 minutes, then to the freezer for 2 hours. If you want to sweeten this dish a little, add a few drops of stevia extract while mixing the ingredients.
- Charlotte … Take 150 ml of almond milk, add 150 g of flour, a pinch of baking powder to it. Whisk 4 chicken proteins, gently add them to the dough, mix well, add a few tablespoons of apple syrup for sweetness. Take fresh apples, rinse them, peel and seeds, cut into plates. Cover the bottom of the mold with them, pour the dough on top. Bake in the oven at 180 degrees for 30-40 minutes.
- Flan … Place a glass dish in an oven preheated to 160 degrees. Mix 300 g of sugar with 50 ml of water in a saucepan, boil, pour into a frying pan, melt without stirring. When the sugar turns amber in color, send it to the mold. Cool and refrigerate. Squeeze out 200 ml of fresh orange juice. Grate 2 teaspoons of orange zest, mix the juice with the zest and 150 g of sugar in a blender, add 8 egg yolks and 4 whole chicken eggs, 200 ml of almond milk, a pinch of salt, 1.5 teaspoons of orange water. Pour the mixture over the caramel and place in the oven. Bake for 1-1.5 hours in a water bath at 160 degrees, on the middle shelf of the oven. When the flan becomes elastic and jelly-like, take it out. Refrigerate for 8-10 hours. Remove from the mold. Serve with a scoop of ice cream.
Don't forget about great drinks:
- Smoothie … In a blender, combine 10 large strawberries, 200 ml almond milk, 120 g soft tofu, 1 tablespoon honey. Pour into glasses, garnish with whole small berries.
- Shayk … Freeze 1 large banana. Send it to a blender, add 200 ml of almond milk to it, 3 pcs. dates, 1 teaspoon of cocoa, a pinch of cinnamon. Chop, serve chilled.
- Cocktail … You will need a pitcher for this drink. If you don't have it in your kitchen, use a coffee pot. Heat 40 ml of dark rum, 2 egg yolks, 2 tablespoons of condensed milk, 80 ml of almond milk, a pinch of Mexican spice mixture in it. Pour into glasses, serve hot.
- Coffee with milk … Pour 200 ml of almond milk into a Turk, add 1 heaping teaspoon of ground coffee. Let the milk rise, remove from the heat, wait a couple of seconds, put it back on the fire and let it rise again. Pour into cups adding sugar, stevia, cinnamon, pepper, or other ingredients to taste.
Interesting facts about almond milk
In tsarist Russia, the product enjoyed great prestige. It could be safely used during church fasting. Of course, this made the dishes of the fasting gentlemen much more varied, satisfying and healthy.
In many countries, almond milk is considered a unique product, a real gift of nature. However, given its high cost compared to other types of milk, it has not gained sufficient popularity among our compatriots.
How to make almond milk - watch the video:
Even if you don't make this product permanent in your diet, it doesn't hurt to feast on it at least from time to time. It will give you real gastronomic delight and will provide significant benefits to the body.
