How long does Almond Cow milk typically last in the fridge?
Homemade, plant-based milk typically lasts 3-5 days in the fridge. You can add a pinch of sea salt to the water in the base when making milk to help with freshness.
Do you have to soak the nuts beforehand?
Soaking the nuts is not required but we do recommend it for smoother milk.
How much milk is made in a batch?
5-6 cups per batch.
Can I make less in the Almond Cow?
Yes, you can make less in the Almond Cow using two different methods:
The first method is to use less water than the minimum line. When using this is important to offset this water with ice so the water reaches the minimum line. As an example, you can add 3 cups of water to the base and then 2 cups of ice (this would meet the 5-cup minimum line). Process the milk as normal and when transferring the milk to the storage container, just make sure the ice doesn't go into the storage container (I use a slotted spoon to block the ice). This will give you three cups of milk.
You could also try the creamer method when making milk. It makes around 2 cups of milk. You can use any of our recipes with this method.
Can you use hot water in the base of the machine?
Yes!
Can you use quick oats instead of old-fashioned to make oat milk?
Yes, either is fine. Check out The Ultimate Guide to Making Oat Milk at Home for more information on oat milk!
Can I make rice, soy, or coconut milk?
Yes, you can make rice milk, soy milk, coconut milk, and so much more! Some milks like rice and soy involve some cooking so please read the recipe carefully!
Is it necessary to add salt to the milk?
Salt helps extend the life of the milk and adds flavor, but is not necessary.
How do I make the milk thicker?
Natural plant-based milk isn’t thick. Thickness is normally the result of artificial thickening agents meant to make milks seem “silky”. There are natural tricks to making milk thicker--- we recommend adding rolled oats along with other ingredients to make the milk thicker, naturally.
The milk separated overnight. Is this normal?
Yes, this is normal! Plant-based kinds of milk without additives and fillers naturally separate over time. Just shake it up and it will be ready to enjoy!
Does the Almond Cow heat the milk? Is it still raw?
To protect the nutrients in the ingredients you’re using, the Almond Cow does not use any heat! The milk-making process will finish at the same temperature it started at.
What quantity of nuts and seeds should I use to make the milk?
We recommend using ½ to 1 full cup of ingredients - any combination of nuts, seeds, and grains that you like - to make milk in your Almond Cow. (Most plant-based kinds of milk in stores use very little in the way of actual nuts or seeds. They’re mostly water and a large number of artificial thickeners, fillers, and flavorings.)
Can you use just fruit in the AC?
Yes, but this isn’t recommended. Fruit is not the best base for milk.
Can you make yogurt in the AC?
You can use milk from your Almond Cow to make yogurt. Check out our dairy-free coconut yogurt recipe.
Can you make juice in the AC?
Almond Cow is not designed for juicing.
Can I make the milk creamier?
Yes, you can! Here are some tips to help make creamier milk:
Use warm water in the base of the machine (do not use warm water with oats as it can create slimy milk).
Run the Almond Cow through two cycles. With this suggestion, you will remove the ingredients in the filter basket after the Almond Cow has completed its first cycle and replace it with new ingredients, but leave the milk in the base of the machine. Press the cow button and run the machine through a second cycle. Please do not do this more than three times consecutively.
Use less water in the base! You can use less water, but you must use ice to offset the water to reach the minimum line if using this method (we do not recommend doing this with coconut as it can create coconut fat clumps).
If you are not already using oats or cashews, adding either one is a great way to make the milk more creamy.
You could also try the creamer method when making milk. It makes less milk but is creamier. Check it out here: How to make Creamer at Home
Can coconut water or other liquids be used in the base of the machine in place of regular water?
Yes!
How can I get the milk to froth?
If you want to froth plant-based kinds of milk, it works best when there is added fat and protein. We've found using unsoaked almonds when making milk in the Almond Cow produces milk that froths well. Adding fat when making milk in the Almond Cow (cashews, macadamia nuts, etc.) or oil (avocado or walnut oil (1/2 tbsp) helps the milk froth. We also suggest using a steam wand, if possible, over a whisking frother as froth is best created when a lot of air is added quickly to the milk. Steam wands work wonders for adding in air.
We have a blog all about frothing the milk.
Why is it difficult to froth oat milk?
Oat milk can get thicker as it is heated. This is due to the starches thickening up during heating, just like when making oatmeal. Nut-based milk doesn't have this issue because there is much less starch. You can minimize this by adding some amylase enzyme to the milk before heating. Add 1/8th teaspoon into the oat milk, then heat. It is best to not heat the milk above 160F degrees when using this enzyme as it will deactivate it.
How do you stop the milk from separating in teas/coffees?
Here are a couple of suggestions to help with separation:
Wait a few minutes after pouring coffee/tea into the cup before pouring in the milk. Then, if needed reheat the combined coffee/tea-plant milk mixture.
Try pouring the plant milk into the mug first, then slowly pour and stir in the desired amount of coffee/tea. This will help temper the milk and bring it up to the coffee/tea temp, preventing unwanted separation.
Is there any nutritional info on the milk?
You can check out the nutritional calculator for a variety of information!
How can I add more calcium/fortify the milk?
We recommend adding a liquid calcium supplement from your local health food store to the milk after it is made. You can also add it to the filter basket with the other ingredients when making milk but you would not get as much of the calcium into the milk as you would if you were to place the calcium into the milk after it's made.
How much does it cost to make a cup of milk?
If you use the recommended amount of one cup of almonds, for example, you’ll be saving about 30% versus store-bought milk, and getting milk much richer in actual almonds, since many store-bought milk are primarily water and additives. Not to mention, you’ll be left with the remaining almond pulp, which has many uses.
If you made oat milk in your Almond Cow, the savings would be closer to 90% or higher. Keep in mind you can use any combination of nuts, seeds, grains, or oats, which allows you to control the price of whatever plant-based milk you decide to make. A cup of almond milk made in your Almond Cow versus store-bought milk would cost less than 10% of what is commonly used in store-bought versions. See: