Gone are the days when no one knew how to pronounce ‘quinoa’ – it’s become a popular grain-free alternative for gluten-free diets and regular diets alike. So what’s quinoa milk, and how do you store it?
Quinoa milk is usually homemade (commercial versions aren’t available for plain quinoa milk) and is made by mixing cooked quinoa with water and flavor-enhancing ingredients like vanilla, dates, and cinnamon.
Once you’ve made a batch of quinoa milk, store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to five days.
For all things quinoa milk-related (along with a recipe), keep reading!
What is quinoa milk?
Quinoa milk is made by blending cooked quinoa with water, as well as other ingredients like dates, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt. Commercial versions of quinoa milk aren’t common, though there are commercial types of quinoa milk blended with other milk types.
In case you were wondering, quinoa is a type of seed, even though it’s often mistaken for a grain. It’s considered a complete protein (it contains all of the essential amino acids your body needs to get from your diet) and is a gluten-free and dairy-free milk alternative.
Most versions of quinoa milk are homemade, so the exact ingredients will vary among the recipes.
How to make quinoa milk
If you’re up for making your own quinoa milk, all you’ll need is:
- 1 cup quinoa, cooked
- 3 cups filtered water
- 3 dates
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
You’ll blend these ingredients and viola – you have quinoa milk! You shouldn’t need to strain it if you have a high-speed blender, but if there are pieces of solids you can pour the mixture through a strainer (such as cheesecloth) before you store it.
What’s the best way to store quinoa milk?
After you make quinoa milk, you should let it cool fully before you put it in the fridge (the quinoa is cooked hot before blending with water and other ingredients). Once cooled, keep it in a tightly sealed container for up to five days in the refrigerator.
Factors that influence quinoa milk storage
Temperature
The biggest impact on quinoa milk storage is the temperature. If you don’t store quinoa milk in the fridge, it’ll spoil quickly.
Container
Be sure to keep quinoa milk in a sealed container. If you store it in an open glass or bowl in the fridge, it can take on odors from other foods in your fridge, which could alter the taste in a bad way!
Homemade vs. store-bought
Since there aren’t any store-bought versions of pure quinoa milk (it’s usually blended with other types of plant milk), that means homemade quinoa milk lacks preservatives that can extend its shelf life. That’s the main reason quinoa milk has a short shelf life!
Signs that quinoa milk has spoiled
Once you make a batch of quinoa milk, the clock starts ticking in terms of its shelf life. Here are some signs that might indicate you’ve waited too long and it’s time to toss the rest of the quinoa milk.
Taste: If you blend quinoa milk with ingredients like vanilla, dates, and cinnamon, it should have a pleasant, sweet taste. If it tastes bitter or sour, then it might be spoiled.
Appearance: It’s normal for homemade milk to separate a bit after it’s sat in the fridge, so don’t be alarmed if there is some sediment in the bottom of the container. Give the milk a good shake or stir, and if there are still large chunks of solids floating, it could be a sign that the quinoa milk is ready to be tossed.
Smell: Quinoa milk should have a neutral, slightly sweet smell (if you used cinnamon, dates, and vanilla to enhance the flavor). If it smells bad, though, it’s not worth using it.
FAQs:
You can use quinoa milk as a dairy-free, nut-free, soy-free milk alternative to drink or put in smoothies. Homemade quinoa milk might not be the best choice for mixing with hot coffee (it could separate if it’s homemade), so it’s best to be served chilled!
Where does quinoa milk come from?
Quinoa milk is made by mixing cooked quinoa with water. Other ingredients are usually added to enhance the flavor, such as dates, cinnamon, and vanilla.
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