Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Foodtrainers Favorite Milk


For the most part, I’m not a fan of taxi TV.  On my way to or from work, after talking all day, I don’t want to hear anyone talking (and sorry drivers, I don’t want to talk to you either). I have approximately 7 precious minutes to chill before life’s soundtrack begins and so I generally hit the off button when the monitor automatically starts. One day though, a Lauren Glassberg segment was on. She does food and restaurant stories and was profiling a husband and wife team who produce artisanal nut milks. I entered the name in my Blackberry and placed an order as soon as I got to work because I’m compulsive like that.

The company is called OMilk. I love that Julie and Greg started it last summer while trying to get in “crazy shape” for their wedding.  I ordered their almond milk, cashew milk and a flavored milk I’ll tell you about in a bit. I received an email that my milk would be delivered Wednesday evening but completely forgot. Let’s just say Marc was more than a little confused when, during the Rangers playoff game, someone rang out doorbell and handed him some milk bottles.

The next morning I started experimenting. As much as I love dairy, I feel better when I limit it. I used the almond milk in a smoothie with hemp protein, avocado, frozen pineapple and fresh mint. I tried the cashew milk in a cappuccino. The one place most nut-milks do not cut it for me is in coffee and I must say this cashew milk is creamy stuff. These were nothing like the watery supermarket non-dairy milks I had tried. However, I didn’t try my favorite OMilk until Saturday. It was late afternoon and we had plans to go out that night. I poured a cup of this over ice for a little pick me up.

It was delicious. OMilk uses strong cold-brewed coffee, their almond milk and a touch of agave. I could see drinking a lot of it this summer. They also have Spicy Mexican Chocolate Almond Milk they concocted for Cinco de Mayo. OMilk is preservative free and available via delivery to the 5 boroughs, it’s also at Dean and Deluca and coming soon to Whole Foods Tribeca.

Coincidentally last week I received a Facebook message from an old camp friend. She had a nutrition question and randomly asked if I made my own almond milk. Sheepishly I admitted I hadn’t but was loving these local nut milks I had delivered.  She said:
Re: making almond milk. It's pretty cool to see the process you just soak 1 cup of almonds over night. Drain then purée in the blender with 2 cups water and whatever else you want (honey, dates, etc.) It turns white and frothy. Pour and press through a fine strainer. Voila. Almond milk! Try it once, then go back to your deliveries.
I would like to try my own one time but right now I'm fine outsourcing my milk to Julie and Greg.
Have you used almond or cashew milk? Every tried to make your own? Do you enjoy silence or do you prefer din and activity around you?

28 comments:

  1. YUM! I'm a huge nut-milk fan, and almond milk is just about the only milk I drink (wait..no...it IS the only milk I drink!). I have never made my own, and probably never will, and I'm not ashamed to admit that. It;s just not worth it to me. I make my own granola and ice cream, and most dinners...I think that's good enough.
    I'll have to look into this company. I want to try some cashew milk!

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    1. Not to worry Gina, I think some things are fine outsourced. DIY when it sounds good and let someone else, perhaps better equipped, DIFY (do it for you) when appropriate. However, you may have to up the ante as a chef. Just saying. And you may have to come to NYC for Omilk for time being.

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  2. Loved the cashew - randomly have made homemade almond milk- so easy / delish

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    1. you totally shock me with your nut experiments C. Now we have to get you making some spicy nut milk, maybe after our field trip.

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  3. No taxi tv here-not sure of the last time I rode a taxi in San Diego, and, sadly, no home delivered bottles of nut milk either...Only in NYC, or maybe I need to start my own business-what do you think??? There are so many different milks in my fridge at all times. Making my own nut milk is on my list to try-maybe would be a fun summer project with the kids~but I haven't done it yet. That Mexican Chocolate almond milk sounds divine! Oh, and did you know you can also now buy flax milk and sunflower seed milk??

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    1. EA, I know and on one hand this is such an "only in NYC" item on the other hand, I'm sure San Diego peops would love it just takes creativity and time..maybe for your clients...I haven't seen flax or sunflower seed milk but since hemp works, any seed should (ah maybe a cooking homework future topic).

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  4. I prefer quiet or something quietly going on. I love silence, but also soft music in the background or the sounds of a Saturday morning: lawnmowers, dogs, children in the neighborhood. I don't like a lot of noise, it sets me on edge. Chocolate milk made with almond milk is tasty. I will probably try to make this soon and see what it's like.

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    1. Let me know how it goes and are you saying you like the sound of a lawnmower?

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  5. I have literally never tried almond milk, or cashew milk, or even soy or rice milk. Nothing but regular old cow's milk. Is there a real nutritional benefit to drinking a nut milk over dairy milk? Does it have more protein or something? I think I have read that it is lower in calories, but I only ever drink skim milk so it's not that high in calories to begin with. What about the texture? Is it thick like whole or even 2% milk? Or is it thinner like skim?

    I agree that the mexican chocolate flavor sounds really good, but no longer living within the 5 boros I will have to try to make a stop in that Tribeca Whole Foods one day when we're out to dinner or something!

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    1. Jen I would give OMilk a try. As for regular milk, I'm not a skim fan (wrote a post on this you should read just as FYI) but key is to know where dairy coming from with regard to antibiotics, added hormones, rGBH etc. I don't think everyone needs to eliminate dairy but I think limiting it and branching out is a good idea. Almond milk in particular can be very low in calories.

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  6. I make 3 quarts of milk every 4-5 days. What takes the longest is not to make it - it's so easy like your friend pointed out, but to clean-up... It spoils fast otherwise I would make more to have enough for a week or even two! You definitely need to try it. My favorite is hazelnut.

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  7. Lauren, I am just as compulsive as you. I just bread your blog and placed my order right away! I am going to try all of the varieties. Can't wait!

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  8. I almost exclusively drink almond milk. Thanks for the rec. I'm excited to give OMilk a try.

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  9. Even my TV-deprived child was turning the Taxi TV's off. So obnoxious.

    I love Almond Milk but it didn't really love me. I've sort of given up on nuts right now.

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  10. interesting, what milk likes you if any?

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  11. Let me know what you think sam, the cashew is really good too. Dean and Deluca or delivery.

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  12. Love it. We are probably equally compulsive. Let me know what you think. For smoothies almond (or coffee) was great. I didn't try chai because my order was incorrect. 

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  13. ooh hazelnut now you're talking. Natalie you are a kitchen superwoman. Would love to see a photo of your fridge.

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  14. Interesting post!  I hear a lot about almond and cashew milk but haven't tried it ... I am allergic to nuts.  I stick with traditional cow's milk

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  15. Oh, this makes me miss NYC and the myriad options in life there.  I can't imagine anything like this happening in Dallas...

    Milk question for you -- a story on NPR yesterday said that chocolate milk is the perfect post-workout food.  What say you?

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  16. I drink almond milk with cereal and use the coconut creamer in my coffee - I also like to limit dairy!

    You definitely peaked my interest and I have always wanted to try cashew milk, I may have to order!

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  17. Try it Einat, let me know what you think. Curious- why do you limit dairy?

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  18. I thought about nut milk delivery coming across as very "NYC" but then I realized that I love that about my city, healthy spoiling. As for chocolate milk this doesn't even apply to the casual exerciser as pre and post workout snacks can cancel out the workout calorie burning. As for chocolate milk, I'm not against organic but if someone isn't a milk drinker or sweet eater already I would consider adding more dairy and sugar.

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  19. I would make sure your milk is organic and you know where it's coming from. Can you do seeds? If so hemp milk in smoothies and oatmeal is a nice option or sunflower as a commenter mentioned.

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  20. Yes, but mind you, I don't like the sound of me mowing the lawn.

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  21.  I never feel quite right after dairy and I find it helps me maintain my weight to remove it. I do eat greek yogurt 1-2 times a week because it's filling and delicious but other dairy forms seem to just make me bloated!

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  22. I don't like to do much dairy either and prefer almond or coconut milk.  Sounds like a great company! I've nevery tried to make my own yet

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  23. That sounds amazing! I had to go off dairy a year and a half ago and don't usually miss it, but I did have a soft spot for those Starbucks glass bottle drinks. This looks like it could be a much healthier substitution, and sans all the stomach pain!

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