Oat milk may the only option after milk and soy has let us down. We tried almond milk but that was killing the bees. Read on for our recipe.
Almond milk presents serious problems to the ecology of our planet: see our post about how the almond industry is devastating bees. Soy milk’s popularity slid down as soy’s effects on hormones, and its mostly GMO origins, are now known. Rice milk has almost no nutrients, or flavor, to justify its price.
Vegan protein powder shakes have become an industry. The growth of vegan protein for adults, kids, pets, is part of the “Veganification” meta trend. Other examples of this meta trend include pea milk, vegan jerky, vegan collagen and vegan ramen. We’re confused. What do we do?
What’s the solution, then? Voilá, oat milk. Make it from organic oats to avoid glyphosate and Roundup, the product made by Scotts and Miracle Gro.
Oats have plenty of minerals and vitamins, but it’s not known at this time how much of that goodness remains in oat milk. Oat milk also has more carbs and less protein than dairy milk. Still, it’s nut- soy-, and dairy-free (read here why we don’t drink too much soy). It’s also gluten-free, if it’s a brand that’s certified gluten-free. And it tastes good.
This is Oatly, a popular brand of oat milk. You can buy it online or at the store organic food store; or our favorite way — just make it, without anything added.
Are you looking at the cartons of oat milk in the grocery store? Examine the label and see if the brand suits your needs. Commercial oat milks often have added sugar. However, they have the advantage of being fortified with vitamin D and vitamin A; sometimes vitamin B12, riboflavin and calcium as well.
If you decide to go with home-made, you’ll be pleased to see how little time it takes to make it. It’s a boon if you’re allergic to nut and nut-based milks. And naturally, making it yourself saves money. You can flavor or sweeten it if you wish.
A couple of pitted, chopped dates, vanilla extract, maple syrup or good honey can provide the slight sweetness most of us expect in milk. There’s some difference of opinion as to whether the oats should be soaked ahead of time.
What is phytic acid?
Those who are in favor of soaking explain that oats contain phytic acid, which disrupts the absorption of minerals in your food. (Not all the food you eat over the day, only what you’re eating while drinking oat milk; and not all the minerals and vitamins in that meal either.)
Others say that phytic acid, present in many grains and pulses, including wheat, shouldn’t be a concern to people eating an otherwise balanced diet that includes a large variety of produce, including the occasional meat or dairy meal. In other words, strict vegans may prefer to soak the oats. It’s up to you!
And the last word on the topic: phytic acid is destroyed in cooking, so don’t bother soaking if you’re planning on baking or cooking with oats.
Time needed: 30 minutes
Home-Made Oat Milk Recipe
Yield: 3 cups
Water to soak the oats, if desired
1 cup rolled oats
3 cups filtered water
1 pinch sea salt or Himalayan pink salt
- Pre-soak
If pre-soaking, cover the oats in plenty of filtered water for 1 hour or overnight. Longer is better to soften the oats and remove phytic acid. Rinse the oats very well after soaking, to prevent a slimy, cooked-oats texture.
- Discard the soaking and rinse water
- Blend and strain
Put the oats, 3 cups of fresh water, sea salt and optional flavoring in a blender. Blend 1 minute. Strain the blended mass through a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth folded into several layers.
- Storing
Keep the oat milk refrigerated up to 5 days. The milk may separate. Shake it up and it’ll be fine.
- Toppings?
Optional: 2 pitted, chopped dates or 1 teaspoon honey, and/or 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract.
Author: Miriam Kresh
Miriam Kresh is an American ex-pat living in Israel. Her love of Middle Eastern food evolved from close friendships with enthusiastic Moroccan, Tunisian and Turkish home cooks. She owns too many cookbooks and is always planning the next meal. Miriam can be reached at miriam (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
