Are you a fan of almond milk? Have you ever wondered if you need to peel the almonds before making your own almond milk?
Well, the answer is no! In fact, keeping the skins on can actually help reduce the grittiness of the milk.
But don’t just take our word for it – read on to learn more about how to make delicious almond milk with or without peeling the almonds.
Plus, we’ll even show you how to use the leftover almond pulp to make gluten-free breading or almond flour.
So grab a bowl of raw almonds and let’s get started!
Do You Have To Peel Almonds For Almond Milk?
As mentioned earlier, you do not have to peel almonds for almond milk. In fact, leaving the skins on can actually help reduce the grittiness of the milk.
To make almond milk, simply soak the raw almonds in a bowl of cold water overnight or up to 48 hours. After soaking, drain and rinse the almonds. Then, combine the soaked almonds with filtered water in a blender and blend until smooth. If desired, add sweetener, vanilla, and/or salt to taste.
Once blended, strain the milk through a fine mesh strainer, tea towel, cheesecloth, or nut milk bag into a storage container. A nut bag will work best for keeping your milk smooth and chunk-free.
Transfer the milk to the refrigerator and chill thoroughly. It should keep for 3-4 days if refrigerated.
The Benefits Of Keeping The Almond Skins On
While most people prefer to peel the skins off of almonds before making almond milk, there are actually some benefits to keeping them on. The skins of almonds contain high levels of antioxidants and fiber, which can provide additional health benefits when consumed.
Leaving the skins on can also give the almond milk a slightly nuttier and earthier flavor, which some people may prefer. Additionally, keeping the skins on can save time and effort in the preparation process.
However, it’s important to note that the skins can also make the milk slightly grittier in texture. If you prefer a smoother texture, it may be best to peel the skins off before blending.
Ultimately, whether or not to keep the skins on when making almond milk is a matter of personal preference. While there are some potential benefits to leaving them on, it’s important to consider how it may affect the texture and flavor of the final product.
How To Make Almond Milk With Unpeeled Almonds
If you prefer to use unpeeled almonds for your almond milk, it is possible to do so. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make almond milk with unpeeled almonds:
1. Place the unpeeled almonds in a bowl and cover them with cold water. Allow them to soak overnight or up to 48 hours, changing the water every 12 hours if soaking longer than overnight.
2. After soaking, drain and rinse the almonds. Do not peel the almonds, as keeping the skins on can actually help reduce the grittiness of the almond milk.
3. Combine the soaked unpeeled almonds with filtered water in a blender. For a whole milk texture, use 4 cups of water to 1 cup of almonds. For a thinner texture, add more water as desired.
4. Blend on low, then slowly raise the speed to high for 1-2 minutes until the milk is completely smooth and no chunks of nuts remain.
5. If desired, add sweetener, vanilla, and/or salt to taste, then blend again to combine.
6. Strain the milk through a fine mesh strainer, tea towel, cheesecloth or nut milk bag into a storage container. A nut bag will work best for keeping your milk smooth and chunk-free.
7. Transfer the milk to the refrigerator and chill thoroughly. It should keep for 3-4 days if refrigerated.
8. Once you’re finished straining the milk, you will have a small amount of leftover almond pulp. This can be discarded or dehydrated into almond flour and used as a gluten-free breading for fish or chicken or mixed into baked goods.
By following these steps, you can easily make delicious and creamy almond milk using unpeeled almonds.
How To Make Almond Milk With Peeled Almonds
If you prefer to use peeled almonds for your almond milk, the process is slightly different. To start, place the almonds in a bowl or jar and cover them with boiling water. Let them sit on the counter for 30 minutes.
Next, drain the soaking water and rinse the soaked almonds. To remove the skins, simply squeeze each almond between your index finger and thumb from the fatter end. The skins should pop off easily. Rinse the peeled almonds again and add them to your blender along with water, dates (seeds removed), cardamom powder, cinnamon powder, and a pinch of salt.
Blend on high for about a minute, or until the almonds are ground up very fine. The next step is to strain the almonds through a nut bag, fine mesh strainer, or cheesecloth. Squeeze and squish until all the liquid is extracted.
The leftover almond meal can be discarded or used for other recipes. To blanch unpeeled almonds before making almond milk, bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and boil the soaked almonds for 1 minute. Then immediately wash in cold water and peel as described above.
Creative Uses For Leftover Almond Pulp
If you’ve ever made your own almond milk, you know that leftover almond pulp can be a bit of a waste. However, there are many creative ways to use up this nutritious byproduct. Here are some ideas:
1. Almond Flour: Dry out the almond pulp in a dehydrator or low-temperature oven and then grind it into a fine powder. This can be used as a gluten-free flour substitute in baking recipes.
2. Protein Bars: Mix the leftover almond pulp with dates, nut butter, and other ingredients to make homemade protein bars. These can be a great snack for on-the-go or after a workout.
3. Crackers: Mix the almond pulp with herbs, spices, and oil, then roll it out and bake it into crispy crackers. These can be a tasty and healthy alternative to store-bought crackers.
4. Smoothies: Add leftover almond pulp to your smoothies for an extra boost of fiber and protein.
5. Granola: Mix the almond pulp with oats, nuts, seeds, and sweetener, then bake it into delicious granola clusters.
6. Veggie Burgers: Mix the almond pulp with cooked quinoa or brown rice, veggies, and spices to make homemade veggie burgers.
7. Facial Scrub: Mix the almond pulp with honey and olive oil to make a gentle facial scrub that’s great for exfoliating and moisturizing your skin.
With these creative uses for leftover almond pulp, you’ll never have to throw away this nutritious byproduct again!
Tips For Storing And Using Almond Milk And Almond Flour
Now that you have made your own almond milk, you may be wondering how to store it properly. The best way to store homemade almond milk is in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should be used within 3-4 days after making it. If you have extra almond milk that you won’t be able to use within that time frame, consider freezing it. Almond milk freezes well and can be thawed in the refrigerator when you are ready to use it again.
Another great use for the leftover almond pulp from making almond milk is to turn it into almond flour. Almond flour is a great gluten-free alternative to wheat flour and can be used in baking recipes. To make almond flour, simply spread the leftover pulp onto a baking sheet and bake at a low temperature (around 200°F/93.3°C) until dry, for 2-3 hours or until crispy. Once the pulp is completely dry, transfer it to a food processor and pulse until it turns into a fine powder.
When storing almond flour, it’s important to keep it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. This will help prevent moisture from getting into the flour and causing it to spoil or clump together. If stored properly, almond flour can last for up to 6 months.
