Brazil Nut Milk


February 5, 2013

Brazil Nut Milk

This Brazil nut milk has an incredible flavor, is loaded with selenium and other nutrients, and makes a nice change from the usual nut milk.

As fond as I am of almond milk and cashew milk I like to mix things up and make a variety of plant-based milks for nutrient and flavor diversity.

Brazil nut milk is in my rotation because it  in smoothies.

The Health Benefits of Brazil Nuts

Brazil nuts are one of the richest sources of selenium (about 2,500 times more than any other nut), making them a fantastic complete vegetarian protein with a full amino acid profile. Just two raw Brazil nuts accounts for the daily requirement. Selenium supports heart and prostate health, and boosts immunity.

Containing the amino acid methionine, which promotes antioxidant production to combat free radical damage, Brazil nuts up the anti-aging agenda, too. They’re also a good source of calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, Vitamin B, and omega-6 fatty acids. Like all nuts, they’re a good source of plant-based protein.

Purchase raw shelled Brazil nuts from source with a high turnover to ensure maximum freshness and quality; and store them in a sealed glass container in the fridge, as these nuts are even more susceptible to rancidity due to their very high fat content. Roasted salted Brazil nuts are delicious. But as with all other nuts, this greatly compromises the nutritional integrity of the nut, and heating them produces carcinogens, which create toxins in the body.

Always Soak Brazil Nuts

As Brazil nuts contain some of the highest concentrations of phytic acid, always soak them to neutralize enzyme inhibitors.

Learn more about the benefits of soaking nuts, seeds, and grains, and get how to soak food cheat sheet

Don’t eat too many Brazil nuts

You also can get too much of a good thing. The shells of Brazil nuts contain aflatoxins, which have been linked to liver cancer in some studies. The EU have strict importing regulations for whole Brazil nuts for this reason. Excessive consumption of Brazil nuts can lead to selenium toxicity which causes a metallic taste in your mouth, garlic odor in the breath, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes and blotches, diarrhea, runny nose, cough, nerve pain, brittle nails, and hair loss. I consume in moderation, and never more than 1 cup a week.

Having said that, Brazil nuts are a great inclusion in a healthy diet, and making milk is a great way to get your brain food fix.

How To Use Brazil Nut Milk

Brazil nut milk can be used in place of almond milk in most recipes. They have a similar mild flavor and texture when strained.

Other plant-based milk recipes

almond milk
walnut milk
pecan milk
cashew milk
hazelnut milk
macadamia milk
carrot pecan milk
coconut milk
brown rice milk
hemp milk
sesame milk
sunflower seed milk
pumpkin seed milk
strawberry rose almond milk
green almond milk
almond milk kefir

Learn how to make nut milks and get the plant-based milking cheat sheet

 

 

Brazil Nut Milk

You can make raw Brazil nut milk by blending raw nuts with water and sweetener. It is simple and delicious.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 2 1/2 cups
Author Tess Masters

Ingredients

unsweetened Brazil nut milk:

  • 1 cup raw Brazil nuts,  soaked for 3 hours
  • 3 cups filtered water 
  • Pinch of Celtic sea salt

sweetened milk (unsweetened milk, plus below):

chocolate milk (sweetened milk, plus below):

cinnamon milk (sweetened milk, plus below):

strawberry milk (sweetened milk, plus below):

  • 3 cups fresh strawberries, plus more to taste

Instructions

  1. To soak the Brazil nuts, place them in a glass or ceramic bowl or large glass jar, and cover with filtered water. Add 1 teaspoon Celtic sea salt and splash of fresh lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, cover the container with a breathable kitchen towel, and allow to soak at room temperature for 3 hours. (For more information on soaking read here.)
  2. Drain, and discard the soaking liquid (do not use this to make the milk). Rinse the Brazil nuts several times to remove the anti-nutrients and enzyme inhibitors. 
  3. Throw the rinsed Brazil nuts, water, and salt in your blender, with any additions (if using), and blast on high for about 60 seconds, until smooth and creamy. 
  4. Store the milk in a sealed container in the fridge. Activated Brazil nut milk (made with soaked Brazil nuts) will keep for 2 to 3 days in a very cold fridge. Un-soaked Brazil nut milk will keep for about 5 days. 

Recipe Notes

Learn how to make nut milks and get the plant-based milking cheat sheet
Photo by Trent Lanz; styling by Alicia Buszczak

Comments

Comments 6

  1. Brazil nut milk, sounds interesting and yummy! I have a ton of sesame seeds, maybe I should try making some sesame seed milk.

  2. Definitely been wanting to switch it up from almond to brazil milk. I eat Brazil nuts everyday. The last few paragraphs are really alarming. In the past, I’ve read Brazil nuts contain very little phytic acid. Can you please provide links for this as well as the selenium toxicity? Thanks so much, <3

    1. Yes! It freezes really well. I freeze extra milk all the time. Either freeze in ice cube trays for little bits of milk to add to smoothies and drinks etc. Or, freeze in a larger container. You may want to shake to revive the texture or blend again for the smoothest consistency.

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