Celebrating Nut Milk: Exploring 21 Unique Varieties

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably tried your fair share of almond and cashew milk.

But hold onto your taste buds because we’re about to explore the lesser-known, the rare, and the downright delicious nut milk varieties that I’ve personally ventured into.

From the familiar almond milk to the exotic sacha inchi and kola nut milk, we’re on a quest to discover nut milks that go beyond the ordinary. Whether you’re a nut milk aficionado or a curious newbie, there’s something in this flavorful lineup for everyone.

So, get ready to savor the unique tastes, explore the nutritional benefits, and join me on this personal journey of nutty discoveries.

It’s time to go nuts for nut milk! 🥜🥛

The Rise Of Nut Milk

In recent years, nut milk has seen a meteoric rise in popularity, and it’s not hard to see why. Nut milk has entered the spotlight as more people seek healthier and environmentally conscious alternatives to traditional dairy.

Not only are these creamy concoctions packed with essential nutrients, but they also offer a sustainable choice that reduces our carbon footprint. The variety of nut milks available today is a testament to their growing fan base.

1. Almond Milk

While almonds may be small in size, they pack a powerful nutritional punch. They’re filled with heart-healthy fats, vitamin E, and a good dose of dietary fiber and protein. As for their flavor, they boast hints of nuttiness that pair wonderfully with sweet dishes like oatmeal or smoothies.

When it comes to making almond milk at home, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. First of all, you’ll want to buy raw almonds and soak them overnight to make them easier for your blender to process. Once blended with water, you can strain the mixture using cheesecloth or a nut milk bag and sweeten it, if desired, with maple syrup or honey.

And if homemade almond milk isn’t for you, there are plenty of store-bought options to choose from.

2. Cashew Milk

Cashew milk is another classic in the plant-based milk scene. The creamy, subtly sweet flavor of cashews lends itself perfectly to a nondairy milk alternative. Cashews are packed with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, and when they are blended with water and strained, you’re left with a smooth, rich milk that’s great for cereals, baking, and smoothies.

For a little extra sweetness, consider adding a touch of vanilla extract or a couple of dates during the blending process. Whether you prefer it homemade or purchased from a store, cashew milk offers both versatility and a delightful flavor.

3. Coconut Milk

Coconut milk has become a popular alternative to dairy for those who are lactose intolerant, vegan, or just looking to mix up their beverage routine. This plant-based milk is made from grated coconut meat and water blended together and then strained. The resulting liquid has a creamy texture with a hint of sweetness that lends itself particularly well to use in curries, desserts, and ice creams.

Coconut milk offers an impressive nutritional profile. It’s high in essential minerals like potassium, magnesium, and iron, which contribute to overall health and well-being. It also contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), a type of fat believed to help the body burn calories more efficiently.

Plus, it’s easy to make coconut milk at home. You only need fresh grated coconut (or unsweetened desiccated coconut), water, and a blender. The mixture can then be strained through cheesecloth or a nut milk bag for best results. You can also adjust the texture by adding more or less water. As for store-bought brands, look out for ones that are unsweetened and free of stabilizers or additives.

4. Peanut Milk

Peanut milk might be lesser-known, but it packs a punch with its robust, familiar flavor. Think of it as the liquid essence of your favorite peanut butter. While peanut milk hasn’t hit the commercial market just yet, it’s a nut milk you can easily concoct at home. The process is similar to making other non-dairy milks: blend roasted peanuts with water, strain through a nut milk bag or cheesecloth, and you have a glass full of nostalgia, nutrition, and protein!

Peanut milk is packed with vitamins and minerals, 6 grams of protein per serving, and is free from lactose and gluten. It’s a fantastic addition to protein shakes, offering both robust peanut flavor and nutritional benefits. With its slightly sweet and nutty profile, peanut milk can be used for both culinary and beverage purposes. If adding additional sweeteners or flavorings, blend them in after straining. While not as commonly found in stores, making peanut milk at home is straightforward and rewarding.

5. Hazelnut Milk

For coffee lovers, hazelnut milk is a revelation. With its deep, nutty flavor, it’s a favorite addition to lattes and cappuccinos. The richness pairs perfectly with espresso, adding flavor complexity without overpowering the coffee. I’m particularly fond of Elmhurst Unsweetened Hazelnut Milk. Their 100% whole hazelnuts and simple ingredients like filtered water and sea salt really allow the authentic hazelnut taste to shine through. No added sugars means you get all the nutty decadence without the unwanted extras.

Beyond beverages, hazelnut milk’s rich taste enhances desserts, making it a choice ingredient for vegan gelatos and pastries. Paired with chocolate, hazelnut milk lends its iconic flavor to dairy-free treats. You can use it as a chocolate hazelnut ice cream base, swirled into coffee cakes, or blended into nutritious smoothies.

If you want to make your own hazelnut milk, all you need are soaked, blended hazelnuts and water to make this versatile, tasty milk.

6. Macadamia Milk

Macadamia milk is the luxurious treat you didn’t know you needed. With a naturally creamy consistency, it’s often the choice for upscale coffee shops and gourmet recipes. Its subtle, buttery flavor complements both savory dishes and desserts.

Made from the rich macadamia nut, it contains heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and is a source of protein, fiber, iron, vitamin B6, and minerals like manganese, thiamine, copper, and magnesium. Macadamia nuts also provide antioxidants and contain high levels of flavonoids, an anti-inflammatory plant compound.

Unsweetened varieties provide nutrient density without added sugars. Major brands like Elmhurst 1925, Lechia and Milkadamia make it easy to find macadamia milk at your local grocery store or online. But you can also easily make your own at home by blending soaked macadamia nuts with water and straining.

7. Pistachio Milk

Forget basic – go green with pistachio milk! This vibrant verdant elixir packs a nutritional punch. Pistachio milk contains more potassium than other nut milks to keep your heart happy. It’s also loaded with antioxidants to fight damage, phytosterols to lower cholesterol, and healthy fats to reduce inflammation.

Research shows pistachios outperform other nuts for lowering blood pressure too, thanks to their stellar potassium content. Plus, they supply key vitamins, minerals, and protein for full-body benefits.

Flavor-wise, pistachio milk serves up creamy, nutty goodness with a natural sweetness. Its pretty green color makes smoothies and lattes even more Instagram-worthy.

While bougie baristas may boast about their pistachio milk, you can easily make this hot commodity at home. Just blend shelled pistachios with water and strain – green goodness in minutes!

8. Walnut Milk

Walnut milk combines nutrition with taste. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, it’s a heart-healthy choice. Its slightly bitter undertone is balanced by its creamy texture, making it a favorite for those seeking depth in flavor. Great in baked goods or on its own, walnut milk is a nutritious addition to any diet.

With its deep, earthy taste, walnut milk stands apart from other nut milks. Rich in omega-3s and antioxidants, walnut milk supports heart health and reduces inflammation. It has a natural creaminess that enhances coffee, tea, and cereals. The bold flavor plays well in savory dishes too, like veggie dips and plant-based sauces. While not always stocked in stores, walnut milk is simple to make yourself. Just blend raw walnuts with water, strain the mixture, and enjoy this nutritious beverage.

9. Pecan Milk

Pecan milk is silky sweetness in a glass! This nut milk channels the decadent flavor of pecan pie, without the guilt.

Pecan milk comes packed with antioxidants, copper, manganese, and healthy fats to nourish your body. Its natural sweetness pairs perfectly with fall spices like cinnamon, ginger, and clove.

Stir it into your coffee, blend it in smoothies, or use pecan milk as the base for chia puddings and overnight oats. For a real treat, try making dairy-free pecan ice cream. There’s so much to love about this nutritious, nostalgic milk.

While pecan milk is still gaining ground on grocery shelves, the brand THIS PKN makes an awesome ready-to-pour version. But you can easily DIY it at home too. Just blend pecans and water, strain it, and boom – liquid pecan pie.

10. Brazil Nut Milk

Made from large Brazil nuts, this milk is loaded with selenium, an antioxidant that supports thyroid function and immunity. Brazil nuts also provide protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals like magnesium and zinc. Research shows they can help raise HDL (good) cholesterol too.

Brazil nut milk boasts a rich, creamy texture with refreshing notes of natural sweetness. It’s nutritious and delicious! While you won’t find this specialty milk on most store shelves, the nutritional profile of Brazil nuts makes DIY Brazil nut milk worth the effort.

Simply buy some raw Brazil nuts, soak them overnight, blend them with water, and then strain for homemade nutrient-dense milk that’s free of additives. For an extra treat, add cinnamon or cocoa powder.

11. Pine Nut Milk

Looking for delicate, nutty milk? Give pine nut milk a taste. This rich and fatty milk is made from pine nuts and has a full-bodied nutty flavor.

Pine nuts contain healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals that make pine nut milk extra nutritious. The proteins, vitamins, and fatty acids in pine nuts are great for combining into milk.

Since pine nut milk isn’t readily available in stores, making it at home is simple. Just soak pine nuts for a few hours, rinse, then blend with water until smooth and creamy. No straining is required!

Pine nut milk is perfect for adding richness to coffee, porridge, desserts, or enjoyed alone. You can even use pine nut butter for a thicker, butterier version.

While pine nuts can be expensive, their nutritional value and distinctive fragrant flavor make homemade pine nut milk worth splurging on occasionally. Give this unique nut milk a try!

12. Tiger Nut Milk (Horchata)

Refreshing tiger nut milk, also known as Spanish horchata, offers creamy nutty sweetness without nuts. Made from tubers called tiger nuts (cyperus esculentus), it’s a great dairy-free option for those with nut and grain allergies.

Believed to originate in North Africa, tiger nut milk traveled to Spain in the 11th century. It’s now a beloved summertime drink across Spain and Latin America.

Tiger nuts provide a wealth of nutrients like iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and vitamins E, C, and folic acid. The leftover pulp can be baked into energy bars, too.

While not mainstream outside Hispanic groceries, tiger nut milk is easy to make at home. Just soak tiger nuts, blend with water until smooth and creamy, then serve chilled over ice. Add cinnamon or vanilla for extra flair.

13. Chestnut Milk

Chestnut milk is winter in a glass. Naturally sweet and slightly starchy, it’s reminiscent of holiday treats. Perfect for warming drinks or as a base for vegan custards, its seasonal flavor is a treat. While it’s a specialty item in stores, fresh chestnuts can be used to make a homemade batch.

Evoking the essence of winter, chestnut milk boasts a naturally sweet, earthy taste. The starchy chestnut lends a creamy, frothy texture reminiscent of holiday treats.

Chestnut milk is delicious, wholesome, and nutritious. It contains low GI carbohydrates, vitamin B, iron, potassium, and fiber. It’s also gluten-free, dairy-free, low-calorie, and vegan.

While chestnut milk isn’t available in US stores yet, it’s easy to make at home. Simply soak chestnuts overnight, drain, and rinse. Blend with water until smooth and creamy. I read that using roasted chestnuts makes an even richer, deeper flavored milk, but I have yet to try it myself.

14. Baru Nut Milk

From the vibrant landscapes of Brazil comes the exotic Baru nut milk, a unique addition to the nut milk family. Although referred to as “nuts,” Baru nuts, also known as barukas nuts, are in fact seeds of a native Brazilian legume. When these seeds are roasted, they reveal a flavor reminiscent of almonds and creamy cashews, with some even noting a hint of cocoa.

Nutritionally speaking, Baru nuts are a goldmine. A single serving delivers a solid 6 grams of protein, covering all essential amino acids. They stand out with their rich magnesium content, antioxidant levels that are three times higher than most nuts, and unbeatable fiber content. Additionally, they have a lower fat content compared to other nuts.

For those conscious about sourcing, Baru nuts are both fair trade and sustainably sourced, meaning every purchase supports reforestation efforts. You might not find Baru nut milk on your supermarket shelves yet, but that’s no reason to miss out. Making it at home is a rewarding journey waiting for you. Simply grab some Baru nuts, and you’re on your way to crafting a nutritious, planet-friendly treat

15. Beech Nut Milk

Beech nut milk is a mild, refreshing choice. Derived from the triangular nuts of the beech tree, its subtle flavor makes it versatile. Perfect for those who prefer a lighter nut milk, it’s a delightful discovery. Unfortunately, it’s not readily available in stores. Foraging enthusiasts might enjoy the challenge of making it from wild beech nuts.

I’ve tried to buy beech tree nuts online, but alas, had no luck. If you’re keen on tasting this unique milk, sourcing the nuts might be an adventure in itself!

16. Pili Nut Milk

Pili Nut milk is a refreshing twist in the world of nut milks. Hailing from the Philippines, the Pili Nut is a treat to the taste buds and a nutritional powerhouse. These nuts are rich in vitamin A and serve as a fantastic energy booster. They have many health benefits, from helping manage cholesterol to supporting bone and heart health. And if you’re looking to give your digestion and immune system a little boost, Pili Nuts have got your back. Their unique blend of high fat and low carbs sets them apart in the nut family.

When it comes to flavor, Pili Nut milk is a delightful experience. It’s creamy, rich, and oh-so-tasty. Lavva Plant Milk is one brand making waves with their Pili Nut milk offering. They keep it clean and simple, blending wild Pili nuts with coconut and filtered water, leaving out unnecessary additives.

But whipping up a batch at home is totally doable if you’re feeling adventurous. I bought some sprouted unsalted Pili Nuts from Amazon and made a small batch. Buttery and just the right amount of sweet!

17. Acorn Milk

Acorn milk, made from the nuts of oak trees, offers a taste deeply rooted in ancient traditions. Historically, acorns were a pivotal part of the diet for many indigenous peoples of North America, especially in Californian Native American communities, valued for their rich taste and nutritional benefits.

While not commonly found in stores, those with access to oak trees can enjoy the process of crafting this delightful milk at home.

Making acorn milk is a journey that starts with gathering, drying, and shelling the acorns. The next crucial step is leaching, which involves soaking the acorns multiple times to remove the bitter tannins. Once leached, the wet acorn mush is transferred to a nut milk bag or cheesecloth, and the excess water is collected. When boiled and cooled, this water forms the base for acorn milk. Sweeteners like maple syrup or honey can be added for flavor. The result? A wild beverage that’s both nutritious and satisfying.

I recently tried buying acorn nuts online, but guess what? I ended up with hardware and decorative fakes!

18. Hickory Nut Milk

Hickory nuts come from the hickory tree, a member of the walnut family, and are native to North America and parts of Asia. These nuts have a hard shell, but inside lies a kernel that many describe as sweet, rich, and reminiscent of caramel. When transformed into milk, hickory nut milk retains this unique flavor, making it a delightful addition to both sweet and savory dishes.

You can drink it straight, blend it into smoothies, use it in ice creams, baked goods, soups, and even stir-fry sauces. To craft traditional hickory nut milk or Kanuchi, you mash the nuts with their shells, simmer them in water, and then strain. This process unlocks the nut’s signature buttery and rich flavor.

I recently bought hickory nuts online and made some hickory nut milk in my nut milk maker. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised by their distinct taste! If you’re curious to try them, I found a great selection on Amazon.

19. Kola Nut Milk

The kola nut, native to Africa’s tropical rainforests and belonging to the Cola genus, has a storied past. Brimming with caffeine and about 2 inches in size, this seed gave classic beverages their distinctive flavor, inspiring the name “cola” for numerous fizzy drinks.

Beyond its bitter taste, the kola nut is a stimulant and holds cultural significance in West African traditions, often chewed in private and social settings. While it’s recognized in the West mainly as a flavoring ingredient for drinks like Coca-Cola, most commercial colas today have moved away from using genuine kola nut extract.

As for kola nut milk, it’s not something you can find on store shelves just yet. While I haven’t ventured into making it from scratch like other homemade plant-based milk, I bought some kola nut powder and blended it into my oat or soy milk. Not bad!

20. Sacha Inchi Milk

Sacha Inchi, often dubbed the “Incan peanut,” is a remarkable seed from the Amazon rainforest. Rich in Omega-3, Omega-6, and Omega-9 fatty acids, it’s also a fantastic source of protein, making it a nutritional powerhouse. But here’s a fun fact: Despite its name, it’s actually a seed, not a nut. Its unique flavor profile is earthy and nutty, setting it apart from other seeds.

Inspired by its potential, I embarked on a DIY journey and made Sacha Inchi seed milk. After soaking a cup of these seeds for 6 hours, I blended them with 2 cups of water. The outcome was a bit on the thinner side, so I jazzed it up with a tablespoon of peanut butter during my next attempt, achieving a creamier texture.

While I love the nutritional benefits of Sacha Inchi seeds, their premium price means I often opt to enjoy them as a snack and use other nut milks. Nonetheless, experimenting with Sacha Inchi milk was a fun experience, and if you’re up for a culinary adventure, it’s worth a try!

21. Soap Nut Milk

Alright, let’s have a little fun with this one! Soap nut milk might raise some eyebrows, but it’s an intriguing concept. While soap nuts are primarily known for their cleaning properties in natural shampoos and detergents, imagine if they were the base for a milk? It would likely be the cleanest milk you’ve ever tasted! But in all seriousness, while soap nuts aren’t consumed as a beverage, they remind us of the vast and varied uses of nature’s offerings.

Nuts About Nut Milks: A Creamy Conclusion

With so many nutritious and delicious options to choose from, nut milks are a plant-based wonder. From fragrant pine nut milk to rich Brazil nut milk and everything in between, there’s a nut milk to suit every taste and dietary need. Homemade varieties unlock even more variety and control over ingredients. So embrace your inner plant-powered barista. Branch out and get a little nutty with homemade nut milks today!