How To Make Fresh Soy Milk At Home? | Step By Step Guide

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Fresh soy milk is a nutritious and delicious plant-based milk alternative. With its smooth, creamy texture and subtle natural sweetness, fresh soy milk makes a fantastic replacement for cow’s milk in everything from cereal to coffee. Here’s why you should consider making the switch to this tasty, good-for-you beverage. Unlike traditional soy milk that’s been processed and shelf-stabilized, fresh soy milk is minimally processed and meant to be consumed within a week of production. This gives it a fresher, richer taste reminiscent of dairy milk.  Find out how to easily make Fresh Soy Milk right at home.

Why Choose Fresh Soy Milk?

There are many reasons to switch to fresh soy milk:

• Higher in protein than dairy milk
• Excellent source of vitamins and minerals like vitamin D, calcium, vitamin B12
• Contains healthy fats like omega-3s
• Lactose-free and vegan – good for lactose intolerance and vegan diets
• Environmentally sustainable – uses less water than almond or cow’s milk
• Delicious taste and versatility – great for drinking, baking, and cooking

With its stellar nutritional profile and adaptability in recipes, fresh soy milk can be an easy and nutritious swap for cow’s milk.

Health Benefits Of Fresh Soy Milk

Fresh soy milk is packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals that make it a smart choice for your health.

• One cup contains 7-10 grams of high-quality protein compared to 8 grams in cow’s milk. Soy protein provides all the essential amino acids your body needs.
• Fresh soy milk is an excellent source of calcium, containing 300-500 mg per cup. This aids in building strong bones when consumed regularly.
• It’s also rich in antioxidants like isoflavones which benefit heart health by improving cholesterol levels. Drinking soy milk can help lower LDL or “bad” cholesterol.

The nutrients and phytochemicals in soy milk deliver additional benefits like easing menopause symptoms, promoting healthy weight management, and reducing cancer risk.

Versatility Of Fresh Soy Milk

You can seamlessly incorporate fresh soy milk into your daily diet thanks to its versatility.

• For breakfast, use it on your cereal, oatmeal, or smoothie instead of regular milk. It makes pancakes and waffles extra fluffy too.
• In cooking and baking, soy milk can typically replace cow’s milk at a 1:1 ratio. Use it when making soups, sauces, or cream-based dishes.
• Craft lattes, chais, protein shakes, and other beverages with soy milk. Its creamy texture and touch of sweetness enhances the flavor.
• Try unique recipes like soy milk kefir, yogurt, pudding, and ice cream to enjoy its benefits in different ways.

Ingredients To Make Fresh Soy Milk

Here are the basic ingredients needed to make fresh soy milk at home:

• Soybeans – 1 cup of dried soybeans will make about 3-4 cups of soy milk. Make sure to soak the beans overnight and rinse before using.
• Water – 4 cups of water per 1 cup of soaked soybeans. The water helps extract the soy milk from the beans.
• Sweetener (optional) – 1-2 tablespoons of sugar, honey, maple syrup, etc. to taste. This helps balance the natural bean flavor of the soy milk.
• Salt (optional) – 1/4 teaspoon salt. Salt enhances flavor.
• Vanilla (optional) – 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Vanilla provides extra flavor.

How To Make Fresh Soy Milk At Home?

The basic process is:

1. Soak soybeans overnight then rinse well.
2. Add soaked beans and 4 cups water to a blender. Blend on high for 1-2 minutes until very smooth.
3. Pour bean mixture into a pot. Bring to a gentle boil while stirring frequently.
4. Reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes, continuing to stir often.
5. Strain mixture through cheesecloth or a nut milk bag. Press out as much liquid as possible. Discard soy pulp.
6. Add any optional sweetener, salt, vanilla as desired.
7. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate. Soy milk will keep for 3-4 days. Shake well before using.

Tips For Making Fresh Soy Milk

Here are some tips for making fresh soy milk at home:

• Start with whole, raw soybeans. Avoid using soybean flour or soy protein powder, as these are more processed. Look for organic soybeans if possible.
• Soak the soybeans in water overnight or for at least 8 hours. This helps them soften and split open to release the soy milk.
• Drain and rinse the soybeans after soaking. Transfer them to a blender or food processor along with fresh water. Use a 3:1 ratio of water to soybeans.
• Blend the soybeans and water on high speed for 1-2 minutes until very smooth and creamy. The longer you blend, the smoother the milk.
• Pour the blended soy milk through a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer to separate the soy solids from the liquid. Press down on the solids to extract as much milk as possible.
• Transfer the strained milk to a pot and bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This helps improve the flavor.
• Allow the milk to cool slightly, then pour into a container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Shake or stir the milk before using as the solids separate.
• Consider adding flavorings like vanilla, cocoa powder, dates, or maple syrup. You can also add thickeners like tapioca starch if you want a thicker, creamier milk.
• Use the leftover soy solids to make veggie burgers, add to baked goods, or sprinkle on cereals. They’re packed with protein and fiber.

Fresh Soy Milk vs. Other Plant Milks

How does fresh soy milk compare to popular plant-based milk alternatives like almond, coconut, and oat milk?

Nutrition comparison of 1 cup soy milk vs. other milks

Milk Type	Calories	Protein	Fat	Carbs	Calcium % DV	Vitamin D % DV
Fresh soy milk	100	7-10g	4.5g	8g	30%	25%
Almond milk	39	1g	2.5g	1g	45%	25%
Coconut milk	45	0g	4.5g	0g	10%	0%
Oat milk	120	3g	5g	16g	25%	25%

Soy milk advantages

• More protein than other plant milks
• Natural source of calcium and vitamin D
• Lowest in sugar of plant milks
• Free from common allergens like nuts, coconut

Potential soy milk disadvantages

• Contains phytoestrogens that may affect hormones
• GMO soy beans used in some brands
• Higher in calories than low-fat dairy milk
• Less creamy texture than coconut or oat milk

Overall, soy milk is one of the most nutritious and lowest calorie plant-based milks. Those without soy allergies can likely enjoy it regularly as part of a healthy diet.

Choosing the Best Fresh Soy Milk

Here are some tips for finding a high-quality fresh soy milk:

Check the ingredients:

• Organic soybeans ensure no GMOs
• Calcium carbonate and vitamin D for bone health
• Natural sweeteners like dates or brown rice syrup

Consider the brand:

• Small regional brands use quality ingredients
• Non-GMO Project Verified ensures no GMOs
• USDA Organic guarantees 95%+ organic

Understand the labels:

• Refrigerated fresh soy milk is unpasteurized
• Shelf-stable uses high heat pasteurization

Know where to buy:

• Farmers markets sell local fresh soy milk
• Health food stores like Whole Foods or Sprouts
• Can make your own fresh soy milk at home

For maximum nutrition and flavor, choose organic, refrigerated soy milk from a quality brand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe for kids?

Yes, fresh soy milk is safe for most children over 1 year old. Always consult a pediatrician first, especially for infants under 1 who should not drink plant-based milks.

What’s the difference from soy protein isolate?

Soy milk contains the complete soybean, including protein, carbs, and healthy fats. Soy protein isolate extracts just the protein components. Soy milk offers more nutritional value.

Popular brands?

Top refrigerated brands of fresh soy milk include Silk, So Delicious, Pacific Foods, and WholeSoy & Co. Look for unsweetened organic varieties.

Is it healthier than cow’s milk?

Fresh soy milk delivers benefits cow’s milk can’t due to its phytochemicals and fiber. But cow’s milk provides vitamin B12 and more calcium. Overall, soy milk is the healthier choice if you tolerate it well.

Conclusion: Fresh soy milk

With its excellent nutrition, versatility, and benefits for heart and bone health, fresh soy milk is a smart choice over cow’s milk. Try incorporating organic varieties without added sugars into your daily routines. With its pleasant, creamy taste and multitude of uses, fresh soy milk can become your new go-to milk alternative.