I will use the word Melk™ to stay friends with hard working farmers that might rightly take offense.

1. You don’t need to soak the nuts:

Merely grind one cup of nuts with four cups of water in a high power blender for two minutes withouot soaking. Soaking the nuts does make them grind easier, but it takes extra time and could promote earlier spoilage. Any graininess softens with storage in the refridgerator. This recipe produces about one quart of Melk.

2. A high horsepower blender is what you need: (64oz size)

There is, unfortunately, no substitute for horsepower when grinding nuts because it produces softer Mekl with less graininess. I prefer the Vitamix® because their configuration may give a finer grind.

There are other good high-powered blenders but I confess I have not done a side-by-side comparison, though there are a few on YouTube. Here is one review, but I have noticed other manufacturers are entering the game, like KitchenAid: https://www.cnet.com/how-to/the-truth-about-horsepower-in-blenders-and-food-processors/. I suggest in-depth research before purchasing.

I have tested about five blenders with less horsepower than the Vitamix. They were all unable to finely grind almonds, even with soaking.

3. What do I use for a filter?

Nut or Filter bags work well, but squeezing them gives an unusual, prehistoric feel, and cleaning one is hopeless.

A seven-inch chinois fine mesh strainer works well and it will handle two one-quart batches at a time. Let it drain and cool in the strainer for an hour, then move the Melk around with a potato masher to release more liquid. Use a food-grade two-gallon to hold the strainer. The strainer can go in the dishwasher.

Strainer: HIC Harold Import Co. 43657 HIC Chinois Fine-Mesh Sieve, 18/8 Stainless Steel, 7-Inch Diameter, Metallic

Bucket: United Solutions 2-Gallon Residential Food Grade General Bucket FDA approved Pail Food Beverage Storage Container

Blender: Vitamix E320 Explorian Blender Black

4. What do I do with the pulp?

The pulp can be an asset if you have chickens or enjoy baking. It can be spread on a baking sheet, dried in the oven on low, reground, and then added to flour.

ENJOY!

HELPFUL NOTES:

• You can get a refurbished Vitamix for less. Please don't be fooled with "brake horsepower" or high-wattage/horsepower claims.
• You should immediately store fresh Melk in the refrigerator. You do need to shake it before use, but so do all the store brands. Best smoothness is achieved after a few hours of refrigeration
• Fresh Melk tastes much better than any store bought. It has much more nutrition because it is thicker and contains more nuts per quart. there are no preservatives or "gum" thickeners that can add a bitter aftertaste. But, even with refrigeration, it does start to spoil in about four days but it still tastes good for about one week.
• Most of the world is lactose (milk) intolerant to some degree after infancy. Almonds are my favorite nut of choice. You can, of course, mix in coconut, cashews, dates, or a multitude of ingredients to your taste. you can try tapering off on the additives over a month and perhaps learn how well Melk can grow on you. A nutritionist once proclaimed that anyone can adjust to a new food over time (I will never give up my BBQ).
• Costco has organic raw almonds. Using other almonds, especially toasted, is sometimes a crapshoot for flavor and early spoilage. They have occasional deals on Vitamix, too.

We would love to hear your comments, equipment tips, ideas, techniques and recipes. Please confirm we are allowed to share them with fellow nuts.