Have you had the pleasure of using buttermilk? Do you know what buttermilk is? Truth is that buttermilk is not one specific drink. It is a name that is used to refer to a wide range of dairy drink varieties. However, these drink varieties were originally identified as the liquids that were left over after a curdling process. The curdling process involved the churning of milk so that cream can be made out of the butter. When food recipes started becoming more detailed and specific, buttermilk started gaining a lot of popularity. You will find that buttermilk is used in the preparation of different foods such as muffins, cakes, biscuits, pancakes, as well as waffles.
You might know that making cakes or all these recipes is almost impossible without milk. What are vegans do? Well, there are different alternatives for buttermilk. These substitutes do not involve any milk. Which substitutes are these? Can you make buttermilk with almond milk? Well, this article aims to help you understand buttermilk, how to make buttermilk with almond milk, and many more. Keep on reading for a chance to get a deeper understanding.
An Overview of Buttermilk
During the churning process of cream, two products are formed. Buttermilk happens to be one of these two products. The process leads to a separation of the cream to butter solids, as well as buttermilk. In other words, buttermilk is the sour liquid that you will get once you start making butter from cream. The buttermilk is usually produced in a fermented state because it is left out for eight hours so that it develops the right amount of sour taste.
When you compare buttermilk to the regular type of milk, you will find that the buttermilk has lower levels of calories and fat. That’s a good thing, right? What’s more? It has vitamins, potassium, as well as calcium in higher levels compared to regular milk. The buttermilk also happens to have a thicker consistency.
How do you form buttermilk? The buttermilk will be produced from milk when the regular milk is left unrefrigerated for a long period. That period will allow the separation of cream and milk. The fermentation process will start when the lactic acid starts the production of bacteria inside the milk. That will allow the process of churning to take place. This fermentation process will make sure that the fat’s pH levels are low so that condensation becomes easier. Also, the acidity will prevent any growth of microorganisms that might be harmful to your health. The result? The buttermilk will have a considerably longer shelf life.
With that said, you should know that lactic acid is responsible for initiating this fermentation or curdling process. It is a very important part of this process.
The Benefits to Buttermilk
Before we get into details of how to make buttermilk out of almond milk, let us learn the benefits of buttermilk. Why do people prefer to use buttermilk instead of regular milk? How is the taste of buttermilk like?
The taste of buttermilk is quite different from regular milk. It is tart, almost completely similar to the smoother types of yogurt. When you take buttermilk, you will have an aftertaste on your tongue. This aftertaste is quite sour. You should note that the buttermilk’s taste will completely depend on the making process. You have to be very keen on the way you make it if you want full control over how it tastes.
The reason why people use buttermilk instead of regular milk or any other variety is that it has very low levels of calories, which is a major health advantage. When you take in a cup of buttermilk, you will only have 90 calories.
We all want to maintain a healthy body by reducing weight or maintaining our current weight. This would be a preferred type of milk to enjoy if you prefer to enjoy milk without the calories. The other reason why people prefer to use this type of milk is that it has high levels of nutrients. It has all the important nutrients, including proteins, and lower levels of fat, as mentioned earlier. Also, it has microbes that will help produce some healthy bacteria to improve the gut. The bacteria produced will improve the digestion process while reducing any problems, including regular flatulence and the most severe digestive disease.
Finally, buttermilk is a healthy substitute for regular milk in very many recipes. Let us look at these uses in the next section.
Best Uses of Buttermilk
When it comes to the baking process, buttermilk is one of the best and most used ingredients. Even though it is popular in baking, it is not limited to baking alone. You can use buttermilk to soak grains that you will use in making some biscuits or waffles. There are certain cases where people just prefer to take it without using it in other meals. You can even use it as a very efficient and healthy beauty product. You can use it in different ways when it comes to beauty. For instance, you can use it on your hair as a deep conditioner. It is also possible to use it as a face wash.
Buttermilk has some acidity levels. That means that the milk can give your baked meals additional moisture. You do not need to use certain ingredients in your baking process. For instance, the salt will become irrelevant because the buttermilk will improve your baked meal’s flavor perfectly.
Cultured buttermilk is used most in recipes compared to the traditional type of buttermilk.
What if you are a Vegan?
There are different non-dairy substitutes for milk. However, they are very highly processed and we know that almond milk has a very long history and takes a short time to prepare.
In the past, centuries ago, there were places where milk was a luxury or was completely unavailable. In these places, almond milk had to do. Almond milk is made easily by soaking some almonds in some water for a night. After they soak sufficiently, you would have to use some water to puree the kernel, after which you strain out the grit.
The fats, nutrients, and proteins are left suspended inside the water. The result is a milky substance, called almond milk. You can use this almond milk in a wide range of recipes, or simply drink it. It is a healthy type of milk.
Have you tried finding some vegan alternatives for buttermilk? Well, there are very few, if any. It would be a great thing to make the buttermilk from almond milk yourself instead of going through the extreme hustle. The process is quite easy and all you need are few ingredients.
Making Buttermilk from Almond Milk
Can I make milk with almond milk? The truth is that it is not only possible but also very easy. Instead of using the other substitutes for buttermilk, it would be better to use buttermilk that you have made yourself.
Think about it this way. Your recipe wants you to use a single cup of buttermilk. You should take one spoonful of an acidic ingredient, for instance, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, or white wine vinegar, and add it to the measuring cup. By using any of your preferred acidic ingredients, you will have an acid that will produce the same results produced by lactic acid found in regular milk. It will cause the curdling process to start and the milk and cream will separate with ease.
The second process is to add some almond milk. Make sure to add it until it gets to the 1-cup measurement. You should then stir the mixture with a whisk or a fork. Allow this mixture to settle for ten minutes after stirring.
You will note that the almond milk will start thickening, similar to buttermilk and you can then use it in that way.
After you have made your buttermilk, the rest is easy. Simply use it as a substitute for the buttermilk in your recipe. Follow the instructions as directed by the recipe.
FAQs
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Is there a non-dairy substitute for buttermilk?
There are various substitutes for buttermilk. For instance, you can use a cup of soy for each cup of buttermilk. You can also use plant milk after it is soured with vinegar or lemon juice. Almond milk is also a great substitute for buttermilk.
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Can you use oat milk for buttermilk?
It is quite easy to make buttermilk from oat milk. You simply have to follow the same steps guided for almond milk.
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Can you curdle almond milk?
You can simply follow the process above to curdle almond milk. However, unlike regular milk, you have to add your acid into the mixture to initiate the process.
Conclusion
Making buttermilk is a simple process and it would be better if you did it yourself. Doing it over and over will help you learn and perfect the skill with ease. The process of making buttermilk from almond milk is also very easy. You should, however, be ready for a different taste because the slightest alteration in the process will alter the taste of the buttermilk produced.
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