Milk has always come from animals that can produce healthy milk for consumption. Soy milk is a plant-based drink that can serve as an alternative to milk. It is made from soybeans or soy protein isolate.
Soy milk and soya milk refer to the same product; you can use the words interchangeably. Soy milk has had to compete with other milk varieties like almond milk and oat milk, but it is the most popular alternative.
If you are a vegan looking to walk away from dairy products, you should try soy milk. This milk variety isn’t limited to people looking for an alternative to dairy products. People in China, Japan, Korea, and most Asian countries have consumed soy milk as a breakfast drink for centuries. However, people with lactose intolerance can take soy milk as an alternative to dairy products.
What does soy milk taste like? Plain soy milk has a beany flavor that isn’t too strong, with a mildly sweet taste. The taste of commercialized soy milk depends on the brand. It could be made sweeter with sugar, and the original soybean flavor can be concealed with other flavors. Most commercialized soybeans lose their original flavor during pasteurization.
Soy milk became a popular beverage in North America and Europe in the latter part of the twentieth century. It has been modified to have a consistency and taste similar to dairy milk.
Nutritional Benefits of Soy Milk
Soy milk can be beneficial with a lot of health benefits. Apart from being a relief for people who can’t consume dairy products, what other benefits does soy milk have for the body?
Soy milk can help promote heart health. It is rich in vitamins, polyunsaturated fats, and minerals, which work together to keep the heart healthy. Soy milk improves plasma lipid levels in people and increases the level of good cholesterol in the body, strengthening the heart and reducing the risk of heart-related diseases.
Soy milk, combined with a diet rich in protein, can do your hair a lot of good. If you have hair growth problems or your hair is frizzy and hard to manage, soy milk could prove to be beneficial. This type of milk can also help with minor skin issues like a frequent acne outbreak. Soy milk can reduce hyperpigmentation (a condition that darkens the skin). Research has also shown that it has anti-aging properties.
Calcium is vital in the body for better bone health. Soy milk is an excellent source of calcium. Taking it regularly can help with bone structure and density, reducing the risk of fractures.
If you work a lot and can’t handle dairy milk, soy milk contains riboflavin, which can help you recover lost energy after workouts. It is also a good source of B-complex vitamins, which act as antidepressants. You will also find that soy milk supplies the body with magnesium, which helps release the serotonin hormone that works as an antidepressant.
Soy milk is rich in fiber, which promotes gut health and helps with digestion. For a long time, Soy Milk has always been associated with infertility in men. But there is no concrete proof to support that claim.
Culinary Uses of Soy Milk
Soy milk can be quite hard to get used to, especially if you switch from a dairy product. But there are several ways you can enjoy soy milk before you acquire its taste. You can start by substituting soy milk for regular milk in your hot cocoa or coffee.
Pouring soy milk into a hot cup of coffee might not be the greatest idea because it is prone to curdling in coffee, but you can prevent that from happening by slowly warming the milk and adding water and coffee. You can also use soy milk in your tea, try soy yogurts or try chocolate-flavored soy milk.
Another way to get accustomed to soy milk is to choose your brand wisely. There are many brands of soy milk, and they do not taste the same. Depending on your preference, you can find that brand of soy milk that does it for you. These brands add different ingredients to their soy milk, which tastes different from the competition.
One of the favorite soy milk brands out there is So Good. Soy milk is an acquired taste; once you love it, switching to dairy milk might no longer be an option.
What is the Origin of Soy Milk? Where to Procure it?
Soy milk has its origins in China. The earliest record of soybean milk was found on a stone slab which is believed to have come from the Eastern Han Dynasty. A tofu broth known as doufujiang has been around since 1365. This drink is a watery form of soy milk, and it is also prepared using fresh soybeans.
Soy milk is produced from soybeans or soy flour. The beans are soaked in water for at least three hours or overnight. The amount of sailing time depends on the temperature of the water. The ratio of soybean to water is 1 to 10. Once the beans are soaked, they are ground, and more than enough water is added.
The puréed soybeans are then boiled to help improve the taste. It is boiled for about 15 to 20 minutes before getting strained to remove the insoluble particles. Soy milk is not hard to procure; you can walk into any store and pick a carton. If you are feeling adventurous, you can make it in your kitchen.
What Tastes Better: Almond or Soy Milk?
If you put a poll, almond milk might get more votes. Most people find the taste of almond milk to be more agreeable than soy milk. Almond milk is more subtle, while soy milk will be more prominent when used for cereals or cooking.
Facts You Don’t Know About Soy Milk
- From 2018 to 2019, soy milk sales have dropped due to the introduction of almond milk and oat milk. Although it is still the most popular alternative to dairy milk, it lost the position of the most consumed plant milk to almond milk in 2019.