Vitamix and Nut Milk

[Guest guest]

In reference to the time it takes to make nut milks, I thought I

might mention thst in my experience the total grinding time depends

on the type of kitchen appliance used.

I have been dairy intolerant for years and have used regular

blenders and the Vitamix for making nut and seed milks. For those

interested in what kitchen appliances are useful in cooking SCD, I

highly recommend the Vitamix (mine is 14 years old -- they were made

of stainless steel back then -- and still works great). While I

personally don't care for it as a juicer, etc., it makes grinding

nuts and blending nut milks a breeze.

I also store the nuts in the freezer and grind them frozen

(especially pecans and walnuts) so they don't immediately turn into

nut butter instead of flour.

When making nut or sesame seed milk, I use the 1:4 ratio (one cup

nuts per 4 cups water). I first grind the nuts into flour (which

takes a minute or two in the Vitamix depending on the type and

quantity of nut) before adding the water. My experience has been

that grinding the nuts alone first reduces the total grinding time

necessary, seems to allow the nuts to become more finely ground, and

results in a richer nut milk with less residue.

After grinding finely, I add 1-2 cups of water, blend another minute

or 2, and then add another 2 cups water and blend 2 minutes. So the

maximum time in the Vitamix is usually 4 minutes. It is very

powerful, and begins to heat up the nut milk if you leave it in too

long.

In the past I had not used cashews because my husband thought he was

sensitive to them. He now seems to tolerate them, so I tried the

cashew yogurt. To my surprise, after grinding and blending the

cashews in the Vitamix, I poured the cashew milk through a fine mesh

strainer and there was absolutely no residue.

I have never tried to strain pecan milk, but use it whole when

making things like pumpkin pie filling or pudding. Grinding almonds

and sesame seeds in the Vitamix still leave a fair amount of

residue.

Hope this info will be helpful to someone.

Celiac, SCD 3 months