There’s a lot of debate around which appliance is better for making almond milk: the Almond Cow or the Vita Mix blender. So which one should you buy if you’re looking to make your own almond milk at home? In this blog post, we’ll break down the pros and cons of each machine so that you can make an informed decision. (Note: both machines are great for other tasks as well, such as blending smoothies and creating healthy soups.) Let’s get started!
Understanding Plant-Based Milk
Before diving into the comparison, it’s essential to understand the concept of plant-based milk. Plant-based milk is a dairy alternative made by blending nuts, seeds, grains, or legumes with water and straining the mixture to remove solids. This process yields a creamy, lactose-free, and vegan-friendly milk substitute that can be used in various recipes or enjoyed on its own.
Almond Cow vs. VitaMix: What’s Best for Nut Milk?
Making nut milk at home can be just as easy, cost-effective, and even more delicious than store-bought plant-based milks. But, there are a lot of options on the market in terms of devices.
Before ever using my favorite appliances, Almond Cow, I made plant-based milks like Almond milk and Cashew milk using my Vitamix and a nut milk bag. And, while this method is excellent and works well, it’s messy and takes a bit longer than Almond Cow.
In this blog post, break down the increasingly popular Almond Cow and compare its nut-making capabilities with my high-speed Vitamix blender.
I’ve had my Almond Cow since it first launched years back, but I remember seeing it first on Kickstarter before I bought it. I thought it was a brilliant idea yet didn’t pull the trigger then. I waited a bit and used to think, “why not use a blender and nut bag to make almond milk?”
But the most apparent answer kept showing up, especially when it came to the clean-up process of making Almond milk in a blender. Every time I made plant milk with the blender, it was a mess; cleaning the nut bag was a hassle, along with leaving it to dry for hours, and it got my kitchen counters messy. The blender method totally works; it’s just not ideal in terms of being quick and effective.
With Almond Cow, not only is it so effortless to use and fast, but it’s also the absolute most straightforward kitchen small appliance to clean.
You might also like
Almond Cow: Is This Nut Milk Appliance Worth It?
Plant-based milks line the shelves in the refrigerator section of most supermarkets these days: soy milk, almond milk, cashew milk, even milk made from rice, oats, or peas. Choosing a plant-based product seems like it would be a healthy option. But is it really? Read my review on Almond Cow.
Both methods are great, they yield delicious homemade plant-based milk and pulp afterward.
I hate the idea of wasting anything, so I decided to start using it in my recipes. It’s become a part of my food prep routine, whether I’m simply using it as a yogurt topping or making some excellent healthy snack.
I share a recipe for my Raw Cinnamon Donut Holes that use plant milk pulp, and they are honestly so delicious.
So let’s compare the two methods: Almond Cow vs. Blender.
Vitamix Blender: A Versatile Kitchen Appliance
Features and Benefits
The Vitamix blender is a versatile kitchen appliance known for its exceptional blending capabilities. While primarily used for making smoothies, soups, and sauces, it can also be utilized to create plant-based milk. The powerful motor and high-quality blades of the Vitamix ensure a smooth and consistent texture.
Making Plant-Based Milk with a Blender
To make plant-based milk using a Vitamix blender, you’ll need to follow a slightly different process compared to using the Almond Cow. First, you’ll blend the soaked nuts or seeds with water until smooth. Then, you’ll strain the mixture using a nut milk bag or fine-mesh strainer to separate the milk from the pulp. Although this method requires an additional step, it still produces excellent results.
How to Make Nut Milk in a high-speed Blender
- Soak the nuts or seeds (optional – not required), then place them in the blender with any amount of water. Making nut milk in the Vitamix allows you to make nut milk batches as small as one cup or as large as 4-8 cups, depending on the size of your blender. You can also use any amount of nuts, seeds, or grains to make your milk.
- Blend the nuts and water together at high speed for 90 seconds
- Strain the blended mixture through a nut milk bag into a large glass bowl, then
- Pour the final nut milk into a glass jar and store it in the fridge. You can also remove the nut pulp from the bag and use it as desired.
The Nut Pulp
The Vitamix produces nut pulp that is darker, finer and has a spongier texture than the Almond Cow. The Vitamix practically liquifies the nuts or seeds as they are blended, leaving behind only the fiber once strained.
Almond Cow: The Nut Milk Machine
Features and Benefits
The Almond Cow Nut Milk Machine is a specialized appliance designed specifically for creating plant-based milk. It offers several features that make the process efficient and hassle-free. One key advantage of the Almond Cow is its ability to handle a wide range of nuts, seeds, grains, and legumes, allowing you to experiment with different flavors and nutritional profiles.
How It Works
Using the Almond Cow is a simple three-step process. First, you soak your chosen nuts or seeds overnight to soften them. Then, you add the soaked ingredients and water to the Almond Cow’s blender base. Finally, you turn on the machine, and within minutes, it will blend, heat, and strain the mixture, resulting in fresh, homemade plant-based milk.
How to Make Nut Milk in a with Almond Cow
- Soak the nuts or seeds for a minimum of 4 hours, then place them in the metal strainer and screw onto the head. You can use a minimum of 1/4 cup of nuts and a maximum of about 1 1/2 cups of nuts – the more you use, the creamier it will be. You can make oat milk in the Almond Cow too, which doesn’t require soaking.
- Fill the base with water to the MIN (5 1/2 cups) or MAX (6 1/2 cups) fill lines, close the blender and plug it in.
- Blend by pressing the button on the top of the blender, which will light up. The Almond Cow runs in “cycles”; one cycle runs for around 60 seconds and includes intervals of the blender running and resting. The light on the top of the device will flash while the cycle is running and stop once complete. The Almond Cow website recommends blending each nut milk for one to two cycles total.
- Strain the nut milk by placing the metal strainer into the plastic draining basket for 10 minutes. Then you can store both the nut milk and nut pulp in the fridge and use them as desired! Stays good for up to a week.
The pulp from the Almond Cow is moist and chunkier than the Vitamix because you are not squeezing the pulp by hand; there’s naturally going to be more moisture in it. The pulp is also course because the blender is not as powerful and does not run as long. This pulp is more edible. You can avoid the “chunky pulp” simply by running it 1/2 a cycle more.
I hope this gives you some context on why I love Almond Cow so much, and I’m sure I’ll definitely be sharing more pulp recipes as I test things out!
Almond Cow Promo Code
I was able to get a discount code for my community: use VALERIEA at checkout for $20 off the Almond Cow Nut Milk Maker Machine and Starter Kit.
My Almond Cow Promod code now offers you $20 off ANY purchase of $200 or more. Previously, your discount code was just for $15 off the purchase of an Almond Cow machine.
This unique code is now available to be used more than one time per customer. There is no limit! Whether you want to buy $200 worth of ingredients, and accessories, or purchase an additional Almond Cow machine, you can use your code for every qualifying purchase. How awesome is that? ????
Almond Cow promo code: VALERIEA
As for shipping? Almond Cow ships to US & Internationally.
Almond Cow vs. Blender: Which One to Choose?
When deciding between the Almond Cow and the blender for making plant-based milk, several factors come into play. Let’s explore some key considerations to help you make an informed choice.
Ease of Use
The Almond Cow offers a streamlined experience with its dedicated design, making it incredibly user-friendly. With pre-set blending and heating cycles, you only need to add the ingredients and press a button. On the other hand, using a blender requires a bit more manual intervention, as you’ll need to monitor the blending process and strain the milk separately.
Time Efficiency
In terms of time efficiency, the Almond Cow takes the lead. Its all-in-one process significantly reduces the time required to make plant-based milk, allowing you to enjoy fresh milk within minutes. With a blender, you’ll need to spend extra time straining the mixture, which adds a few additional minutes to the overall process.
Texture and Creaminess
Both the Almond Cow and the blender can produce smooth and creamy plant-based milk. However, some users find that the Almond Cow delivers a slightly better texture due to its built-in heating element, which helps to emulsify the milk and create a richer consistency.
Nutritional Value
When it comes to preserving the nutritional value of the ingredients, the Almond Cow has an advantage. Its gentle heating process ensures that the milk retains more nutrients compared to traditional methods. However, a blender can also yield nutritious plant-based milk with careful monitoring.
Cost Considerations
In terms of cost, blenders are generally more affordable than the Almond Cow, but when compared to the Vitamix, it is much more expensive and this isn’t taking into account having to re-buy milk bags/cheese clothes over time. However, weighing this against the convenience and efficiency offered by the Almond Cow, especially if you plan to make plant-based milk regularly, is important.
Maintenance and Cleaning
The Almond Cow and the blender both require cleaning after use. The Almond Cow’s components are dishwasher safe, making cleanup a breeze. Blenders, on the other hand, often require disassembling and handwashing of the blades and container, which can be slightly more time-consuming.
Environmental Impact
The Almond Cow presents a more sustainable option for those conscious of their environmental footprint. Its design eliminates the need for single-use cartons or packaging associated with store-bought plant-based milk, reducing waste and plastic consumption.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for an easy and affordable way to make plant-based milk at home, the Almond Cow is a great option. Sure, you can create delicious nut milk in minutes using your kitchen blender with just a few simple steps and plenty of clean-up, so that is why we love Almon Cow for its ability to make nut milk in under a minute plus the clean-up is easy. Plus, with our exclusive Almond Cow promo code VALERIEA, you can get $20 off your purchase plus free shipping! So what are you waiting for? Give the Almond Cow a try today!
This article was published in August 2021 and updated by our editors June 2023. Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
