How to Make Rice Milk at Home?

How do you make rice milk at home?

One tested recipe from Giallo Zafferano uses about 1/2 cup (100 g) of rice and 4 1/4 cups (1 liter) of water and makes about a liter.

1. Put the rice in a pot with cold water and bring it to a boil.
2. Lower the heat and simmer gently for about 40 minutes, until the rice is very soft.
3. Turn off the heat and let it cool for at least 20 minutes.
4. Blend the rice with its cooking water until smooth.
5. If it is too thick, stir in more water a little at a time.
6. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, nut milk bag or cheesecloth.

The more water you add, the thinner the milk.

How do you improve the taste?

• Add a pinch of salt.
• A little vanilla, a cinnamon stick or citrus zest during cooking adds flavor, as the recipe suggests.
• Sweeten with maple syrup or honey if you like. Rice milk is naturally lightly sweet.

How long does it keep?

The recipe says 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. There are no preservatives, so shake it before use and throw it out if it smells sour.

What are the limits of rice milk?

Homemade rice milk is thin and low in protein, and it has no added calcium or vitamins. Store-bought versions are usually fortified, so they are not nutritionally the same. It can be used in smoothies and porridge, but it is too thin to replace cream.

Is rice milk suitable for children?

The UK Government advises that children under five should not be given rice milk in place of breast milk, infant formula or cow’s milk, to help reduce their arsenic exposure; young children tend to drink more milk for their body weight. The same page says children over five and adults can drink rice milk as part of a balanced diet. If a child cannot have cow’s milk or soy, ask a doctor or dietitian for a suitable alternative.