How to Make Your Own Cashew Milk

In recent decades, the market for dairy alternatives has grown exponentially. Whether in the dairy aisle or ordering a latte, you can find milk made from soy, rice, coconut, hemp, almonds, and cashews. Cashew milk is a favorite because not only is it full of nutritional value, it is simple to make at home and can be used in a variety of ways. Many people are intimidated by the prospect of making their own cashew milk, but all you need is a blender, hot water, a natural sweetener, and high-quality bulk cashews. If you’re not convinced, we’ll cover some of the benefits of cashew milk as the best dairy alternative!

Cashew Milk Recipe

1 Cup Cashews (soaked and drained for up to 4 hours) – we recommend getting raw cashew pieces for this.
4 Cups Water
1 tsp vanilla extract
Honey, Agave or other sweeteners (although it’s pretty sweet as it is)

Making Cashew Milk at Home

It may sound intimidating, but cashew milk is incredibly simple to make on your own. Not only that, but a homemade version can be more concentrated, containing more nutrients than what you might find on the shelf.

The main ingredient in your cashew milk will be cashews, so you’ll want to make sure you find high-quality, ethically sourced bulk cashews to have on hand. You’ll start with one cup of cashews, soaked in very hot water for at least 15 minutes. You can also soak them in room temperature water for 2 or more hours for the same effect (we recommend 4 hours).

After soaking, drain and rinse the cashews before adding them to your blender along with 3-4 cups of water. It should take about 30-60 seconds in the blender until it is smooth and frothy. Many people want to sweeten their cashew milk, so you can add a small amount of sugar, or for more natural options, dates, honey, or maple syrup to taste. You may also choose to add salt, cocoa powder, cinnamon (highly recommend this one!), or vanilla extract to flavor your milk. Once everything is blended, your milk is ready to drink!

Unlike other non-dairy milk, you don’t have to strain cashew milk at home through a cheesecloth, making it a very simple option. A batch of cashew milk will last for 3-4 days in an airtight, refrigerated jar. Because of the shelf life and how simple it is, you’ll likely want to make small batches of cashew milk as needed as opposed to one large batch. Aside from this, there are also a number of desserts you can make with cashews!

Health Benefits of Cashew Milk

Like cashews themselves, cashew milk is full of nutritional benefits and great for man diets. Some of these benefits include:

Cashews contain a wide range of nutrients, as well as other healthy elements. While store-bought cashew milk is fortified with extra vitamins and minerals, homemade versions will have more fiber and fewer preservatives while still containing magnesium and a wide range of other benefits.
Because raw cashews contain healthy fats in high volume, cashew milk is considered heart-healthy and has been linked to a lower risk of heart disease and high cholesterol. Some of the nutrients found in cashews, like potassium and magnesium, can also increase heart health.
The antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin are found in cashews and are known to prevent damage to your eyes. Food rich in these antioxidants can reduce the risk of eye disease and cataracts. This is especially true of age-related degeneration, which can be combated by drinking cashew milk.
A lack of vitamin K can result in trouble with blood clotting and lead to excessive bleeding- luckily, cashew milk is rich in vitamin K and can prevent deficiency.
People with diabetes may find that cashew milk helps to control blood glucose levels due to some of the compounds found in cashews. Lactose-free milk can also have fewer carbohydrates and be beneficial to those with insulin resistance.
Another mineral that is found in cashew milk is copper, which aids in the production of skin protein and leads to optimal skin health. In addition to making the skin look better, it can also improve elasticity and keep your skin from aging quickly.
The high amounts of zinc and antioxidants in cashew milk may help boost immunity by decreasing the inflammatory response in your body and fighting disease.
For those that suffer from iron-deficiency and anemia, the iron in cashew milk can help to maintain adequate levels.

In addition to all the health benefits above, cashew milk can be added to your diet easily and adds a rich, creamy texture and taste rather than watering recipes down.

High-Quality Cashew Milk

Because cashews are the star of this recipe, you’ll want to make sure your bulk cashews are high quality and come from an ethical supply chain. Beyond the Nut offers cashews that are farmed, processed, and sourced through local communities, offering business opportunities and empowerment to West African farmers. With our bulk cashews, the foundation of your cashew milk will be both delicious and impactful.