Nuts & seeds · Plant milks

Almond milk (unsweetened)

Unsweetened plant milk made from ground almonds and water; light and nutty, for drinks, cereal and baking.

Also called: almond drink, almond beverage

Photo: Amazing Almonds, via Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-2.0)

What it is

Almond milk is ground almonds blended with water and strained, sold in cartons (often fortified and stabilised) or made at home. This record is the unsweetened kind. It is thinner and lower in protein than dairy or soy milk, so sauces and custards made with it set less firmly.

How it’s used

Dairy-free milk for cereal, coffee and smoothies
Used in dairy-free baking and pancakes
Base for overnight oats and chia pudding
Lightening soups and sauces

Characteristics

Taste: Mild and lightly nutty.
When cooked: Can separate in hot coffee; thickens poorly in custards without extra starch.
Sold as: liquid
Cooking uses: Usually eaten raw, Suitable for baking
Common in: American, International

Storage

Pantry-stable. UHT cartons keep in the pantry until opened; then refrigerate and use within several days. Home-made almond milk keeps only a few days chilled.

Diet, allergens and safety

Contains Tree nuts.

Vegetarian
Vegan
Dairy-free
Egg-free
Gluten-free
Nut-free
Soy-free
Caffeine-free

Tree nuts are a major allergen; an allergy to one nut does not rule out others, and nuts are often packed on shared lines, so check 'may contain' warnings.