Many store-bought milks contain ingredients that might sound unfamiliar to you. These unwanted ingredients include lecithins, gellan gum, carrageenan, guar gum, locust bean gum, xanthan gum, cane sugar, agave syrup, stevia, natural flavors, or seed oils. Making plant-based milk at home allows you to decide what goes in your milk without the need for unnecessary chemicals to make their shelf life longer.

Affordable plant-based milk is possible and easy to achieve. When you make your own nut milk at home, you can source the nuts, seeds, and grains that work for your nutrition needs and your wallet instead of spending more buying cartons and cartons of nut milk at the store. Depending on the type of milk, making it at home can save up to 70 percent compared to buying store-bought milks. You can also shop sales or buy the ingredients in bulk for even more savings.

As for sustainability, plant-based milks are a better choice for those concerned about the environment. The dairy industry accounts for about 2 percent of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, cow’s milk requires large amounts of water with an estimated 144 gallons of water to produce just 1 gallon of milk. Almond milk has also received a lot of attention for its large water footprint, but in comparison, one study found that it takes about 3.2 gallons of water to produce one almond, and estimates show that it takes about 84 gallons of water to make a gallon of almond milk. If you are concerned about water usage, choose oats or seeds (pumpkin or sunflower) as those processes tend to use less. Consider opting for organic ingredients to reduce the use of pesticides or herbicides.

Making milk at home can be part of living a zero-waste lifestyle. You can add the pulp to smoothies for a boost of fiber, or leftover pulp can be used in various recipes like pancakes, muffins, no-bake desserts, or stored for later use. If you don’t have time to use the pulp immediately, you can store it in the fridge or freezer until you are ready. If you’re not a fan of reusing your pulp, you can always compost it. Learn more about composting here.

Homemade plant-based milk is fresher compared to store-bought varieties, as it does not contain preservatives or additives that are needed to maintain shelf life. This can result in a deeper flavor and potentially higher nutrient content. You will taste the sweetness and richness of your nuts and seeds when they are made fresh. Even low-ingredient store-bought milk has gone through pasteurization or some type of high-temperature processing.

Use almonds, pistachios, hemp, or pumpkin seeds to boost the protein content in your milk.

For a creamier milk texture, both macadamia nuts and coconut can provide a high ratio of healthy fats to create a rich, decadent drink.

Adding fresh or frozen fruit can be a delicious way to increase essential nutrients in your milk. Experiment with strawberry, banana, and mango.

Infuse your milk with adaptogenic herbs and spices to help soothe your system, such as lavender, cardamom, or chamomile. Nourishing & Nutrient-Dense: Combine a mix of nuts, seeds, and grains for a greater variety of nutrients such as Brazil nuts and pumpkin seeds or flax and pistachio.

Combine a mix of nuts, seeds, and grains for a greater variety of nutrients such as Brazil nuts and pumpkin seeds or flax and pistachio.

Supercharge your milk by adding fresh ginger or turmeric to create a drink with brain-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties.

Try enhancing your recipe with natural sweeteners such as dates, raw honey, or maple syrup to enjoy a dessert-like drink.

Achieve silky coffee creamer at home by simply reducing the liquid in your recipe and choosing a higher-fat base, such as coconut or cashew.

Adding more fat with a touch of coconut oil, along with having more nuts in the milk, creates a creamier, fluffier foam that can top coffee, matcha, and more.

Customize your milk to fit your specific needs. Nut-free: try sesame or hemp seeds. Keto: try coconut. Gluten-free: try certified gluten-free rice or oats.