The rise in ‘alternative’ milk has reached an all-time high. As more people turn away from traditional dairy products, it can be confusing to know which product is right for you. Many people are choosing to drink almond milk, but here the issues is the amount of water that almonds need to grow. According to research, one glass of almond milk = 23 gallons of water to produce. This is unsustainable for the planet and is causing significant environmental issues, including the destruction of habitat that impacts the life of bees.
A simple alternative, which is better for the planet, is oat milk. The popularity of oat milk can be attributed to the high profile brand Oatly, which originates in Sweden. Oatly was founded back in the 1990s and is based on Swedish research from Lund University. As the brand describes on its website, “The company’s patented enzyme technology copies nature’s own process and turns fibre-rich oats into nutritional liquid food that is perfectly designed for humans.”
Oat milk is also simple – and relatively inexpensive – to make yourself. Here is a recipe from The Minimalist Baker to try at home.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: (1/2-cup servings)
Category: Beverage
Cuisine: Gluten-Free, Vegan
Freezer Friendly: 1 month
Does it keep? 5 Days
1 cup rolled oats (gluten-free if GF // or sub steel-cut oats*)
4 cups water (use less water for thicker, creamier milk!)
1 pinch salt
1 whole date, pitted (optional // for sweetness // or 1 Tbsp (15 ml) maple syrup)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
2 Tbsp cocoa or cacao powder for “chocolate milk” (optional)
1/4 cup fresh berries for “berry milk” (optional)
Instructions
Add oats, water, salt, and any additional add-ins (optional) to a high-speed blender. Top with lid and cover with a towel to ensure it doesn’t splash. Blend for about 30 seconds – 1 minute or until the mixture seems well combined. It doesn’t have to be 100% pulverized. In fact, over-blending can make the oat milk slimy in texture.
Scoop out a small sample with a spoon to test flavor/sweetness. If it’s not sweet enough, add more dates.
Pour the mixture over a large mixing bowl or pitcher covered with a very thin towel or a clean T-shirt. In my experience, it benefits from a double strain through a very fine towel to remove any oat remnants. A nut milk bag seemed to let too much residue through.
Transfer to a sealed container and refrigerate. Will keep in the refrigerator up to 5 days (sometimes more). Shake well and enjoy cold. DO NOT HEAT or it will thicken and become gelatinous in texture. It’s delicious as is or added to granola, smoothies, or baked goods!
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