Can you make almond milk in a cold press juicer?

With the rising popularity of plant-based milks, many people are interested in making their own nut milks at home. Almond milk is one of the most common nut milks, prized for its light and sweet flavor. While you can make almond milk by simply blending almonds and water in a high-powered blender, using a cold press juicer offers some advantages. In this article, we’ll look at how to make almond milk with a cold press juicer and if it’s an effective method.

How Cold Press Juicers Work

Cold press juicers, sometimes called masticating juicers, work by first crushing fruits, vegetables, or nuts into a pulp through a screw-like auger at slow speeds. The pulp then passes through a strainer that separates the juice from the dry pulp. Unlike high-speed blenders or centrifugal juicers, cold press juicers operate at lower RPMs and don’t generate much heat, preserving more nutrients and enzymes.

The straining process of cold press juicers also produces a very smooth juice without much froth or foam. Because of their design, cold press juicers are ideal for making nut milks. They are efficient at extracting liquid from the solids and produce fine-textured milks.

Steps to Make Almond Milk in a Cold Press Juicer

Making almond milk in a cold press juicer follows a simple process:

1. Soak raw almonds in water for 8-12 hours or overnight. Soaking softens the almonds, resulting in a smoother milk.
2. Drain and rinse the soaked almonds.
3. Add almonds to the juicer hopper.
4. Turn on the juicer, using water to help push the almonds through.
5. Alternate adding almonds and water until you’ve added the desired amount, usually 1 cup almonds to 3-4 cups water.
6. Collect the almond milk from the juicer spout. Strain if desired.
7. Store almond milk in the fridge for up to 5 days.

The soaking liquid can also be added to the juicer for maximum nutrient extraction. Many cold press juicer recipes for almond milk also recommend adding dates, vanilla, cinnamon, or other flavorings.

Benefits of Making Almond Milk in a Cold Press Juicer

There are several advantages to making almond milk with a cold press juicer:

• Smoother milk: The auger crushes almonds into a fine pulp, releasing more milk and yielding a smooth, creamy texture.
• Higher yield: Cold press juicers are efficient at separating liquid from solids. You can get up to 3 times the volume of milk compared to blending.
• Retains nutrients: The lower speeds and lack of heat retention keeps nutrients and enzymes intact.
• No additives: Homemade almond milk has no thickeners, emulsifiers, or stabilizers like store-bought versions.
• Customizable: You can control the ingredients and adjust flavors and sweetness to taste.
• Less oxidation: The airtight juicing chamber minimizes oxidation, so the milk lasts longer.

The fine almond pulp expelled by the juicer is also very versatile. It has a mealy texture and can be used for baking, smoothies, cereals, and more.

Considerations When Making Almond Milk in a Cold Press Juicer

There are a few things to keep in mind when using a cold press juicer for almond milk:

• Some juicers require soaking or pre-grinding the almonds before juicing to prevent clogging.
• Run water through before and after juicing almonds to clean out remnants.
• The pulp is very absorbent and the milk yield can be low if too much sticks to the pulp.
• Soaking the almonds for longer results in more milk output.
• Recipes usually call for more water than other nut milk recipes to account for absorption by the pulp.
• It can take some trial and error to find the right almond to water ratio for your particular juicer.

Even with higher water ratios, almond milk from a cold press juicer is often still thicker than versions made with blenders. Some thinning or straining may be needed if a thinner consistency is desired.

Comparison to Other Methods of Making Almond Milk

Here is a comparison of making almond milk with a cold press juicer vs. other common methods:

Method	Texture	Yield	Speed	Nutrient Retention
Cold Press Juicer	Smooth, creamy	High	Slow	Highest
Blender	Smooth, thinner	Medium	Fast	Medium
Food Processor	Gritty	Low	Fast	Lower
Metal Strainer/Nut Milk Bag	Watery, thin	Low	Slow	Medium

As shown, cold press juicers produce a higher yielding and smoother almond milk compared to other common DIY methods. The slower juicing process also retains more nutrients.

Choosing the Best Cold Press Juicer for Almond Milk

If you want to make almond milk at home, what should you look for in a cold press juicer? Here are key features of the best juicers for almond milk:

• Tight spiral auger: Maximizes almond pulp grinding and milk extraction.
• Narrow feeding chute: Keeps almonds contained while juicing.
• Powerful motor: Provides optimal torque for juicing hard almonds.
• Little oxidation: Minimal exposure to air prevents degradation of nutrients.
• Easy to clean: Quick disassembly makes cleaning pulp and buildup easier.
• Fine screen/strainer: Separates all almond pulp from milk for smoothness.

Some top-rated cold press juicer models for making almond milk include:

• Omega NC800
• Tribest Slowstar
• Kuvings CS600
• Hurom H-AA
• Aicok Slow Masticating Juicer

When researching juicers, look for ones designed to handle harder ingredients and mention suitability for nut milks. Making sure the juicer is easy to use, clean, and assemble is also key for regular almond milk production.

Recipes for Making Flavored Almond Milk

Once you have homemade almond milk from your cold press juicer, you can use it as a base for all kinds of flavored and enriched milks. Try out these tasty recipes:

Chocolate Almond Milk

• 2 cups almond milk
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp maple syrup or sweetener of choice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of sea salt

Whisk all ingredients together until smooth. Froth with a milk frother for a luxurious hot chocolate. Store refrigerated for up to 4 days.

Turmeric Golden Milk

• 2 cups almond milk
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp coconut oil
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ginger powder
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• Honey to taste (optional)

Whisk ingredients together in a small pot. Gently heat over medium, but do not boil. Add honey if desired for sweetness. Drink warm.

Matcha Latte

• 2 cups almond milk
• 1 tbsp matcha powder
• 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey

Whisk matcha powder and sweetener into almond milk until frothy. Heat over medium stir regularly. Top with frothy milk.

Conclusion

With a cold press juicer, making smooth and creamy almond milk at home is simple. Cold press juicers efficiently extract the milk from almonds while retaining nutrients and yielding a fine texture. Although it takes longer than a blender, you’ll be rewarded with higher volumes of fresher, additive-free almond milk that can be customized to your taste. And you’ll save money compared to buying prepared almond milk. With some trial and error to get the right almond-to-water ratio, a cold press juicer can become an invaluable tool for making plant-based milks.