5 Simple Steps to Scrumptious Raw Organic Pecan Milk

Nut milk is a creamy and nutritious non-dairy beverage made from nuts. Nut milk can be a delicious alternative to soy milk, rice milk, and dairy milk. With a few simple steps you can make tasty raw organic nut milk that is highly nutritious and full of enzymes.

Almond milk is a very common nut milk often found in health food stores and grocery stores. Many almond milks on the market are not made with organic almonds, and many almonds from the US, Mexico, and Canada are now pasteurized. Although these almonds have gone through the pasteurization process, which exposes them to temperatures of at least 145 degrees, they may still be labeled raw. Some almonds are pasteurized with steam while others are treated with Propylene Oxide. Small farmers are still allowed to sell unpasteurized almonds directly to customers at farmer's markets, roadside stands, and online. Some health food stores order truly raw organic almonds from Europe or Spain which can make their retail price rather high. Good news, raw organic pecan milk is an affordable and tasty alternative to almond milk.

-Pecans are high in Vitamin E (a natural antioxidant).
-Pecans may decrease the risk of cancer, coronary heart disease, and
neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's.
-Pecans contain plant sterols, which are known for their cholesterol-lowering ability.
-Pecans may aid in weight loss and maintenance.
-Pecans contain more than 19 vitamins and minerals - including vitamin A, vitamin E, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, several B vitamins and zinc.

To make your own fresh raw organic pecan milk you will need:
-1 cup of raw organic pecans
-3 cups of spring water or filtered drinking water
-Agave nectar or raw organic honey
-Blender
-Mesh strainer or nut milk bag

Soak 1 cup of raw organic pecans in water for 4-8 hours.

Drain and rinse pecans.

Blend pecans with 3 cups of water for 1 minute. For a thicker creamier milk decrease the amount of water in the recipe. For a lighter milk add more water.

Strain nut milk with a mesh strainer or nut milk bag into a large bowl, pitcher, or jar. If you are using a mesh strainer, move the pulp from the bottom of the strainer with a spoon. This allows the milk to drip through. To use a nut milk bag simply place your nut milk bag over a large bowl or pitcher and pour nut milk into your nut milk bag. The milk should drip through to your container while the nut pulp stays in the bag. Give the pulp in the bag a little squeeze to separate the rest of your milk from the pulp. You can save the nut pulp for another recipe or compost it.

Sweeten to taste with agave nectar or raw organic honey by shaking your nut milk and sweetener in a jar with a tight fitting lid, or by blending your strained nut milk again with sweetneer. Don't over do it, pecans have a naturally sweet flavor.

Enjoy immediately or serve chilled.