Homemade vegetable drink
Making your own plant-based drink can have many advantages. Guaranteed freshness. Choice of what's inside. Sweet and flavored as desired. Less expensive. Incomparable taste. Perfect texture. More nutrients and enzymes. The list is long. Even for people in a hurry it's suitable. Preparing a plant-based drink is very quick. No need to be equipped like a great chef either. All you need is a blender, a glass jar and a vegetable drink filter.
Now all you need is a good basic recipe and off you go!
Basic Ingredients
- 1 cup soaked almonds (you could also use any other nuts or seeds, it's the same)
- 4 cups water (use less for a smoother consistency)
A drink the way you want it
It's time to be creative. For a sweeter drink, choose a date, maple syrup or honey. Want a little spicy touch? Add cinnamon, cardamom and anise. For kids (and adults), a hint of cocoa and a drop of maple syrup and you have a chocolate drink. Let yourself go and experiment.
Preparation
Place all ingredients in a blender. Press the button and grind for a good minute, more or less depending on the power of your blender. The drink should not be reheated though.
Add by grinding the other ingredients, if any.
Once the mixture is well crushed, place the vegetable drink filter on the neck of a glass container large enough to accommodate all the liquid. Pour the drink into the container, taking care to pass it through the filter.
Twist the filter over the container to extract as much liquid as possible.
What remains in the filter is the almond pulp, also known as okara. It can very well be cooked or frozen for future use. Don't throw it away!
It's not more complicated! In 5 minutes you have a homemade vegetable drink filled with freshness and good nutrients.
Why use a vegetable drink filter?
Many claim that the plant-based beverage filter is not necessary. It's true ! A piece of cheesecloth can do the trick very well. On the other hand, the advantage of the filter is its durability and ease of use. With a cheesecloth, you will not be able to extract as much liquid without letting a little pulp escape. The result may be less pleasant. Also, cleaning the cheesecloth is much more laborious than cleaning the filter. You risk losing patience and throwing it in the trash or worse, stopping making your homemade drink because the experience is unpleasant. You pay for the filter once and it lasts you a long time. It is very thin, so easy to clean and it will not leak any pulp.
Why soak nuts?
First for the functional side of things. A soaked nut has a much creamier texture, being full of water. It will be easier to grind and will more easily leave its nutrients in the water.
Also, soaking a nut is like waking it up. If it is fresh, by immersing it in water for a few hours, you will reactivate the enzymes that lie dormant within it. When making your drink, its enzymes will migrate into the liquid for your greatest benefit.
Eventually, a soaked nut loses both its natural toxins and its bitter taste.
To soak your nuts, submerge them in a bowl filled with water. Remember that your nuts will soak up a fair amount of water. So put enough, at least double the nuts. Leave them on your kitchen counter for at least 2 to 4 hours to ensure you get all the benefits. One night is ideal.
If you choose to make a hemp drink, these little seeds do not require steeping. It's an express drink!
A reading that might interest you
If you happen to be in a bad situation and need to buy a commercial plant-based drink, make the right choice! Discover the secrets of the plant-based beverage industry and be an informed consumer.
