You get milk from soybeans through a straightforward process involving blending, straining, and boiling the beans.
Soy milk, a popular plant-based beverage, is created by extracting liquid from rehydrated soybeans. This process transforms the humble legume into a versatile dairy alternative used in beverages, cooking, and various food products. The method is relatively simple and can be done at home with basic kitchen equipment.
The Process of Making Soy Milk
Producing fresh soy milk involves a few key steps to ensure a smooth texture and rich flavor.
Here's how you extract milk from soybeans:
- Preparation (Pre-Soaking): While not explicitly mentioned in the provided reference, typically, dried soybeans are soaked in water for several hours or overnight. This rehydrates them and makes them easier to process.
- Blending: In a food processor or blender, combine the rehydrated soybeans with water. Process the beans with water until smooth. This step grinds the beans into a fine slurry, releasing their solids and liquids.
- Straining: Once blended, the mixture needs to be separated. Strain the mixture into a pot through a double layer of cheesecloth, or a fine sieve. This separates the smooth liquid soy milk from the fibrous pulp (known as okara), which can be discarded or used in other recipes.
- Flavoring (Optional): To enhance the taste, you can add various ingredients. Add pandan leaf or ginger, and sugar to taste to the strained soy milk. These additions can provide a pleasant aroma and sweetness.
- Boiling: The final crucial step involves cooking the soy milk. Boil soy milk for 15 minutes. This step is essential for several reasons: it cooks the beans, improves the flavor, and helps to eliminate natural enzyme inhibitors present in raw soybeans, making the milk safe and more digestible.
Following these steps will yield fresh, homemade soy milk ready for consumption.
