Soy Milk Recipe

Soy milk is now a common beverage in everyday life. It has a smooth and delicate texture with a light soybean fragrance and high nutritional value, making it quite popular. While many people opt to buy packaged soy milk, freshly homemade soy milk actually tastes better.

Soy milk is highly nutritious and often serves as an alternative to cow's milk. People usually enjoy it during breakfast. If you want to make delicious homemade soy milk, I will provide you with detailed information about its history and preparation techniques.

1. About Soy Milk

Soy milk has now become popular worldwide, especially in many East and Southeast Asian countries. However, it actually originated in China. The history of soy milk in China dates back over 2,000 years to the Han dynasty. It is said to have been invented by Liu An, a renowned Taoist scholar and the creator of tofu.

Soy milk is primarily made from soybeans and is a beloved beverage in China. It is a nutritious food suitable for people of all ages, offering high nutritional value.

2. Should You Soak Soybeans Before Making Soy Milk?

With the advent of soy milk makers that claim soaking soybeans is unnecessary, many people are left wondering whether soaking soybeans beforehand makes a difference. Does soaking affect the quality of the soy milk? Which method produces better results?

Firstly, while not soaking soybeans might seem convenient, it actually takes longer. Soaking soybeans the night before only takes a minute or two, but once soaked, soy milk can be made quickly. If you skip soaking, the soy milk maker will take longer, as it includes a heating process to soften the soybeans. This not only uses more time but also more electricity. From an eco-friendly standpoint, and for saving time in the morning, soaking soybeans is clearly advantageous.

Secondly, soaking soybeans can increase the yield of soy milk. Compared to unsoaked soybeans, soaking them for 12 hours can increase the yield by 10% and reduce the amount of okara (soy pulp). The longer the soybeans soak, the higher the yield. Soaking helps break down the soybeans, making the soy milk smoother and releasing more nutrients. In terms of taste, soy milk made from soaked soybeans is naturally superior.

The slight increase in yield might not be a concern for everyone. However, there is a significant difference in the nutritional content between soy milk made from soaked and unsoaked soybeans. Traditionally, soaking soybeans overnight before making soy milk is scientifically sound, as it allows the body to better utilize the nutrients in the soy milk.

3. How Long Should You Soak Soybeans?

The soaking time for soybeans depends on the ambient temperature.

At room temperature (20-25°C or 68-77°F), soaking soybeans for 12 hours is usually sufficient for them to fully absorb water. However, during the summer when temperatures are higher, soaking at room temperature for 12 hours may lead to excessive bacterial growth. Therefore, it is advisable to soak soybeans in the refrigerator. Soaking soybeans in the refrigerator at 4°C (39°F) for 12 hours is roughly equivalent to soaking them at room temperature for 8 hours. If 18 hours seems inconvenient, you can soak the soybeans in the refrigerator for 24 hours, which will yield the best results while being more convenient.

4. Nutritional Value of Soy Milk

Food Name:Soy Milk

Nutritional Content (per 100 grams):

Energy: 16 kcal

Protein: 1.8 g

Fat: 0.7 g

Saturated Fatty Acids: 0.2 g

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: 0.4 g

Monounsaturated Fatty Acids:0.1 g

Carbohydrates:1.1 g

Insoluble Dietary Fiber:1.1 g

Sodium: 3 mg

Magnesium: 9 mg

Phosphorus:30 mg

Potassium: 48 mg

Calcium:10 mg

Manganese:0.09 mg

Iron:0.5 mg

Copper:0.07 mg

Zinc:0.24 mg

Selenium: 0.1 μg

Vitamin A:15 μg

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): 0.02 mg

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin):0.02 mg

Niacin (Niacinamide): 0.1 mg

Vitamin E:0.8 mg

5. What Goes Well with Soy Milk?

Soy milk is commonly enjoyed as a breakfast beverage. In China, it is often paired with the following foods:

1. Chinese Donut (Youtiao): A classic combination, where the savory youtiao complements the mild sweetness of soy milk.

2. Red Dates (Hong Zao): Red dates are rich in nutrients and pair well with the creamy texture of soy milk.

3.Oatmeal (Yan Mai): Oatmeal and soy milk make a nutritious and filling breakfast combination.

4.Pumpkin (Nan Gua): Pumpkin, whether steamed or baked, provides a sweet contrast to soy milk's flavor.

These pairings not only enhance the flavor experience but also offer a balanced nutritional profile for a satisfying breakfast.

6. What Can You Pair with Soy Milk?

Soy milk is primarily made from soybeans, but you can customize it by adding other ingredients you enjoy during preparation. For instance, you can add red dates, mung beans, peanuts, lily bulbs, and more. You mentioned pairing it with black beans, oatmeal, and syrup, which sounds delicious!

Let's experience the process of making soy milk together, enjoying its fresh and healthy taste. Feel the smooth texture and refreshing aroma of soy milk, and share this wonderful moment!