Water is a precious resource, and it’s no secret that many of our everyday essentials require a lot of it to produce.
Take milk, for example – did you know that cows consume up to 50 gallons of water every day just to produce one gallon of milk?
And while vegan and lactose-free alternatives like almond and oat milk may seem like a more sustainable option, they still require a significant amount of water to make.
But fear not – making your own oat milk at home can not only save you money, but also reduce your environmental impact.
In this article, we’ll explore just how many oats you need per gallon of oat milk and share an easy recipe for making your own creamy and delicious oat milk at home.
How Many Oats Per Gallon Of Oat Milk?
When it comes to making oat milk, the amount of oats needed per gallon can vary depending on the desired thickness and creaminess. However, a general rule of thumb is to use 1 cup of rolled oats for every 3-4 cups of water.
To make a half gallon of oat milk, you’ll need about 1 cup of rolled oats and 3-4 cups of water. Simply blend the oats and water together in a high-speed blender for 30-45 seconds, then strain through a fine mesh strainer or clean towel for best results.
It’s important not to overblend the oats, as this can cause starch breakdown and result in a slimy texture. And while nut milk bags may seem like a convenient option for straining, they often let too much pulp through. Stick with a fine mesh strainer or clean towel for best results.
The Environmental Impact Of Milk Production
The environmental impact of milk production is a major concern in today’s world. The dairy industry is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water consumption. In contrast, plant-based milks such as oat milk are becoming increasingly popular due to their lower environmental impact.
According to a study, oat milk uses 60% less energy than cow milk and produces 80% fewer gas emissions and 80% less land use than cow milk. Oats also use the least water consumption when compared to other plants. However, oats are grown repeatedly on the same land, which can lead to an increase in pests, soil depletion, and crop fertility.
Although a gallon of oat milk takes about 48 gallons of water to produce, not including the water added to liquidize the oats during manufacturing, oats are known to sit at the high end of water use efficiency. They require very little water (17 to 26 inches per growing season) and grow in cool weather, which helps them retain moisture and means they can get most of their water from rain, not groundwater reservoirs.
One downside to oat milk production is that it requires fertilizers and pesticides, which are heavy carbon emitters and water pollutants. However, compared to cow’s milk, oat milk accounts for less than 1/3 of cow milk’s carbon footprint.
Overall, any plant-based milk has a lighter impact than dairy when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions, as well as the use of water and land. Every liter of cow’s milk uses 8.9 square meters per year compared to 0.8 for oat milk. Additionally, dairy generally requires nine times more land than any of the plant-based alternatives.
The choice to switch from dairy to plant-based milks can have a significant impact on reducing everyday greenhouse gas emissions. While oat milk may not be perfect in terms of its environmental impact, it is still a much better alternative compared to cow’s milk.
The Water Usage Of Plant-Based Milk Alternatives
When it comes to choosing plant-based milk alternatives, it’s important to consider the amount of water used in their production. Water is a precious resource, and many plant-based milk alternatives require a significant amount of water to produce.
Cow’s milk is one of the most water-intensive beverages, with cows consuming 30-50 gallons of water per day to produce just one gallon of milk. In comparison, oat milk requires significantly less water to produce. It takes about 48 liters (or 12.68 gallons) of water to produce one liter of oat milk. This is significantly lower compared to the water usage required for dairy, soy, and almond milks.
Almond milk, for example, requires a staggering amount of water to produce. It takes about 1.1 gallons of water to grow a single almond, and it takes about 92 almonds to make one cup of almond milk. This means that it can take up to 101 gallons of water just to make one cup of almond milk! Oat milk, on the other hand, requires about six times less water than almonds to produce.
It’s worth noting that different types of oats require slightly different amounts of water to grow. Rolled oats are the most common type used in oat milk production, and they require about 145 gallons of water to grow half a pound (or one cup) of oats. However, even with the additional water needed for soaking and blending the oats, oat milk still requires significantly less water than other milk alternatives.
When it comes to environmental impact, oat milk also performs well. It requires 80% less land and produces the least greenhouse gas emissions compared to other plant-based milk alternatives. So if you’re looking for an eco-friendly and sustainable option for your morning coffee or cereal bowl, oat milk is a great choice.
Making Your Own Oat Milk At Home
Making your own oat milk at home is surprisingly easy and affordable. All you need is a high-speed blender, old-fashioned rolled oats, water, and a fine-mesh strainer or clean towel. Instant oats should be avoided as they tend to disintegrate too quickly and may result in slimy oat milk. Steel-cut oats can be used, but old-fashioned rolled oats are recommended for the creamiest texture.
To start, soak 1 cup of old-fashioned rolled oats in 4 cups of cold water for about 10 minutes. Then, rinse the oats under cold running water to prevent slimy texture. Transfer the rinsed oats to a blender and add 4 cups of fresh cold water. Blend until the mixture turns white in color, which should take no more than 3 minutes.
If desired, add a pinch of salt or sweeteners like honey or maple syrup to enhance the flavor. You can also add vanilla extract or spices like cinnamon or cardamom for extra flavor. For chocolate oat milk, add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder.
To strain the oat milk, pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large container to remove the bulk of the sediment. Double-straining through cheesecloth or a nut milk bag can result in even smoother oat milk. The leftover oat pulp can be saved for baking or as an addition to smoothies or granola.
The amount of oats needed per gallon of oat milk can vary depending on personal preference. However, using 1 cup of rolled oats for every 3-4 cups of water is a good starting point. Making your own oat milk at home can save you money while providing a delicious and creamy alternative to dairy milk.
How Many Oats Do You Need For One Gallon Of Oat Milk?
To make one gallon of oat milk, you’ll need approximately 4 cups of rolled oats and 12-16 cups of water. This ratio of oats to water will yield a thinner consistency, similar to skim milk. If you prefer a thicker and creamier oat milk, you can increase the amount of oats to 5-6 cups per gallon.
Start by blending the oats and water together in a high-speed blender for 30-45 seconds. Then, strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer or clean towel. You may need to strain the mixture multiple times to remove any remaining pulp or sediment.
It’s important to note that the amount of water used in making oat milk can vary depending on personal preference and the thickness of the oats. Some recipes may call for soaking the oats beforehand or adding additional ingredients such as sweeteners or vanilla extract.
By making your own oat milk at home, you can control the amount of oats and water used, as well as any additional ingredients. Plus, it’s a more cost-effective and sustainable option compared to store-bought alternatives.
A Simple Recipe For Homemade Oat Milk
If you’re looking for a simple and easy recipe for homemade oat milk, look no further! All you need is 1 cup of old-fashioned rolled oats, 4 cups of water, and a few optional additions like vanilla extract, honey or maple syrup, cinnamon, or sea salt.
Start by soaking the oats in water for about 10 minutes to soften them up. Then rinse them under cold running water to prevent a slimy texture. Transfer the oats to a blender and add 4 cups of fresh cold water. Blend on high for only 30-40 seconds to avoid overblending.
Next, strain the oat milk through a cheesecloth or nut bag draped over a large bowl. Do not squeeze the water out of the cheesecloth or nut bag, as this can also result in slimy oat milk. Let the water drip until it’s basically all out, then discard or save the oats for another recipe.
Pour the oat milk back into the blender and strain it one more time through a fine mesh strainer or clean towel. Adjust the flavor with optional additions like vanilla extract, honey or maple syrup, cinnamon, or sea salt until you find the perfect taste for you.
Finally, pour the oat milk into a glass jar or container that can be sealed and stored in the fridge. Homemade oat milk will be good for about 5 days in the fridge. Just make sure to discard it if it smells different from the first day you made it.
Making homemade oat milk is surprisingly simple and requires very little prep time. And with just a few ingredients and a high-speed blender, you can enjoy creamy and delicious oat milk anytime!
