Homemade almond milk with vanilla and cinnamon

Homemade almond milk: the origins

Homemade almond milk, with its sweet and soothing properties has been consumed for centuries. Almonds are possibly the most versatile nuts of all. And, according to Ayurvedic teachings, one of the most healing ones, too. Related botanically to apricots, peaches, cherries, nectarines, and plums, almonds pack a powerful nutrient profile. And this has been apparent for hundreds of years, not only in Asia, but all over the world. Almond milk has been a fixture of European cookbooks since at least the 1200s, as it was seen as a nutritious alternative to meat and animal-based milk during fasting periods like Lent. And, some research indicates that almond milk’s history might go back even farther in the Middle East.(1) Today, the USA dominates production, followed by Spain and Italy.

Almond milk health benefits

You can bet it took many long hours of harvesting, soaking, grinding, and straining to produce homemade almond milk. Why did people go to this effort? Almonds are rich in fibre, protein, vitamin E, and trace minerals. Moreover, they are loaded with the holy-grail of vibrant health - antioxidants. Antioxidants help protect against oxidative stress, which can damage molecules in cells and contribute to inflammation, ageing, and diseases like cancer.(2) One of the many benefits of homemade almond milk is that it does not contain cholesterol or saturated fat. Also, for people who are lactose intolerant, organic almond milk provides calcium, as well as healthy fats. When almond milk is homemade, the taste is superlative. If you are wondering how to make homemade almond milk, we have done all the heavy lifting for you! Our Organic Almond Milk Base makes creating delicious almond drinks at home quick and easy. We sustainably source our organic almonds from small organic farmers in Italy. Then, we cold-press them to extract their oils and create a fine powder with the remaining solids. Our powder is soluble in water and highly concentrated in nutrients, such as iron, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus and calcium. Keep it in a jar in your cupboard until you are ready to mix a cup of homemade almond milk. You can use it in coffee, cereal and in baking - where you can add it as neat powder. Quick fact: Our farmers hand-pick the organic almonds during the harvest season between August and September. Did you know it takes 2.5kg of almonds to make 1kg of our almond base?

Vanilla and cinnamon in our almond milk recipe

So, how to make homemade almond milk taste even better and evoke powerful memories of home comfort and coziness? By adding the highly aromatic, sweet and smoky vanilla bean seeds, and the warmth of Ceylon cinnamon. The addition of cinnamon, also known as Ceylon cinnamon, with its warmth and vibrancy, is a classical combination for our homemade almond milk. It is the yang to the yin of the cooling, quiet almond. Vanilla is harvested from one of the thousands of orchid species that grow in South and Central America as well as the Caribbean. Historians believe that it has been cultivated since the 16th century.(3) While, Ceylon cinnamon comes from the bark of an evergreen tree native to Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon. There are thought to be some 250 varieties of this tree. Vanilla is said to support heart health by reducing cholesterol levels, and it is believed to reduce inflammation. It could even help battle arthritis, anxiety, weight loss and acne.(4)  As a spice, cinnamon is one of the most important and used all over the world in cooking but also in medicines. It is thought to have a long list of healing powers from anti-inflammatory to antimicrobial, and could even help fight Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.(5) However, further research is needed to back up these claims.

How to sweeten almond milk

When making homemade almond milk, the addition of raw honey, or maple syrup, will lift the taste and boost its healing properties. Get ready to soothe and excite your taste buds with a symphony of sensation layers. Raw honey, which comes straight from the beehive, contains healthful bee pollen, bee propolis, and plenty of antioxidants.(6) Raw honey is said to contain over 30 different polyphenols, 22 amino acids, and a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. The polyphenols are responsible for raw honey's high level of antioxidants, which help your body protect itself against free radicals. The pasteurisation process that regular honey undergoes kills off these powerful phytonutrients.(7) Usually, the darker the colour of the honey the greater its nutritional value in antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and trace elements. In a smoothie, you can try blending in dried apricots, a close relative to our organic almonds, instead of honey or maple syrup. This will add sweetness and an earthy smack, too. Ayurvedic practitioners may use the fruit, which originated in China, for dry throat, asthma, and other lung conditions.  Substituting maple syrup for raw honey will add a slight sweet/bitter taste with notes of caramel. Ever heard of maple syrup and banana pancakes? Blending the powder of our organic almonds into a smoothie, with the addition of cinnamon, vanilla and some banana will power any workout or morning jog.

Adding depth to your almond milk

When it comes to how to make organic almond milk, we have made it super simple. If it’s cold outside, consume our homemade milk warm and add a pinch of nutmeg, as well as cinnamon. A dash of the exotic spice nutmeg, which is credited with pain relief, and in some cases used as an aphrodisiac, will lift the flavour and add another layer of warmth and depth. Nutmeg contains various compounds that boost mood, help relieve pain, and relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure. Some research suggests that a nutrient found in nutmeg may help slow cognitive decline in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and promote the recovery of brain tissue following a stroke.(8) However, more evidence is required to back up these claims.  And if you like nutmeg try our chaga tea with nettle leaves and warming spices. You will feel transported to an autumn woodland, with a blanket of warm reds, yellows, and browns underfoot.

How long does homemade almond milk last?

How long does almond milk last? It really depends on many factors. Our organic almond milk base is powdered, so it will last a very long time. However, once dissolved in hot or cold water, refrigerate and consume it within two days. A homemade almond milk version, which involves soaking and grinding and straining, may also last in the refrigerator between 3 to 5 days.  Shop bought long-life almond milk, however, could last weeks if unopened. Once opened, experts recommend it be consumed within 7 to 10 days if stored in the fridge. Be sure to check the ‘best by’ labels for guidance.  Any almond milk sold in the refrigerated section of the supermarket should be stored in the refrigerator as soon as you get home. 

Long-life vs refrigerated almond milk

So what is the difference between long-life and refrigerated almond milk? Pasteurised non-refrigerated milk is treated at an ultra-high-temperature called UHT, or aseptic processing. Pasteurisation is a process that applies heat to destroy the pathogens in foods.(9) This process, however, does have an impact on the nutritional value of almond milk and it can deplete some nutrients. However, it does not affect key nutrients such as protein or calcium. Post UHT, the producers often fortify it with vitamin D.(10) Our organic almond milk base has not been stripped of any important nutrients and has had nothing added - only the natural goodness of organic Italian almonds to deliver a base that is high in protein and fibre, low in saturated fat, and easy to use!

Does almond milk go bad?

How does almond milk go bad, you may ask? Most importantly, long-life and refrigerated almond milk starts degrading in quality from when you open the box or bottle. Refrigerated almond milk products are usually treated using standard dairy processing (HTST) rather than UHT processing. And the flavour of UHT almond milk may vary slightly due to the heating process.(11) Some long-life milk can be stored for up to a year. It usually comes in a Tetra Pak or a similar type of packaging. Specialty containers are layered with paperboard on the outside and aluminum foil on the inside to prevent light, oxygen and bacteria from contaminating the milk inside. Even if almond milk is not off, sometimes, it can in a small number of people cause stomach troubles due to an ingredient called carrageenan.(12) Carrageenan is extracted from seaweed and is used on a wide range of processed food as a thickening agent. Some people, however, have trouble digesting it. Moreover, some commercial almond milks contain other additives, such as sugar, salt, gum, lecithin and flavours.  If you are looking to improve the health of your gut it will probably come as no surprise that a whole food diet, filled with fibre including grains, fruits and vegetables is not only good for overall health but also excellent for our gut health.

Vegan milkshake, anyone?

The wonderful quality of our organic almond milk is that it is so versatile. Packed with protein and vitamins, blended into a milkshake it can fuel the start to your day with steady energy and none of the spike of caffeine. From our recipe on smoothies, you can adapt any of the recipes and substitute the milk with our organic almond milk. A favourite is blending ½ a banana, with some oats, maple syrup and a cup of almond milk. A sprinkle of cinnamon will work well here, too! How about getting an extra endorphin high after a workout? Adding blueberries, a drop or two of chia oil and some cinnamon and a drop of vanilla will take you to a higher plane yet! Chia seed oil will provide you with omega-3 fatty acids while blueberries are rich in vitamins, minerals and fibre.  Our milkshake recipes are so helpful for when you need something sweet and full-bodied. Adding a slug of oil gives them an added depth of flavour and luxurious taste. Have you ever tried milk thistle in a shake? Its taste is delicate and nutty and when blended with cacao it is a nice complement.  Adding matcha powder, hemp seed, and avocado to a green spinach smoothie made with almond milk and banana is a nice alternative to coffee. Mellow, soothing and packed with nutrients and feel-good energy.  Enjoy a nut smoothie after meditation in the morning or a yoga class, it will lift the energy and set you up for an active but chill day.

And so to sleep

We love unwinding with our homemade almond milk during an evening of relaxation or self-care. Light a candle or two, switch off your phone and prioritise some quality ‘me’ time. Curl up with a good book and life will seem simple.  Drinking our homemade almond milk warm in the run-up to bedtime may even boost sleep quality because almonds are a source of the hormone melatonin, which regulates our internal clock and prepares our body for sleep. They are also an excellent source of magnesium, providing a fifth of our daily needs in just one ounce. Consuming adequate amounts of magnesium through our homemade almond milk may help improve sleep quality, especially for those who have insomnia. Almonds contain more magnesium than most nuts, which has shown to improve sleep quality. For those who have had a stressful day, spiking cortisol levels can interfere with sleep patterns. Using adaptogen compounds can alter the stress reaction. American ginseng, ashwagandha, schisandra, rhodiola and valerian root work really well. Nothing beats a cup of our homemade almond milk, with its sweet, soothing and healing properties. It is no wonder humans have been consuming homemade almond milk for hundreds of years. Let’s keep the tradition alive!