WTF is an Almond Cow Machine? Does it only make almond milk? I discovered Almond Cow when it came across my Instagram feed and had those two very questions. I clicked the link and, was fascinated, asked for the fancy device for Christmas. The Almond Cow is a plant-based nut milk maker. With the Almond cow, you can use “any nut, seed, or grain to make homemade plant-based milk in moments.” The Almond Cow makes 5-6 cups of fresh milk in a couple of minutes at the touch of a button. With Almond Cow, there is no straining or nut bags, minimal mess, and easy cleanup. Sounds fantastic, right? The bad news, the Almond Cow will set you back $195, or you can get the complete Almond Cow starter set for $288. So, the obvious question is, is Almond Cow worth it? In this blog, I’ll tell you about my Almond Cow experience thus far and how it helps us save money on milk, creamer and explore other dairy-free recipes at home. And, I found an alternative machine for you that could be just as good (keep reading to the end).
How Does the Almond Cow Machine Work?
The Almond Cow has four parts: base, top (with blade), filter basket, and collector cup (optional with many recipes). What makes the Almond Cow Machine unique is that it separates the pulp from the milk, so you don’t have to. Just add all the solid ingredients to the filter basket and the liquid ingredients to the base, attached the filter basket, and close the lid. The Almond Cow will start blending, stop, and start again. The three-stage blending cycle ensures proper blending of the ingredients. Once the blending is complete, disconnect the base and the top. The base doubles as a pitcher, so pour the fresh nut milk into an appropriate container and store it in the refrigerator. Next, detach the filter basket and keep the pulp; use it as a dairy-free base for many recipes.
Why Almond Cow?
There are a few reasons I wanted to try the Almond Cow:
- Informed Consumer. Most store-bought plant-based kinds of milk use very little in the way of actual nuts or seeds. They’re mostly water and many artificial thickeners, fillers, and flavorings. Also, the milk you make is plastic-free. Except for the collector cup (which is optional for many recipes), the entire almond cow machine and milk storage jug contain no plastic or other known endocrine disruptor materials.
- Cost Savings. A jug of almond milk containing roughly 39 cents worth of almonds, plus water and additives, retails for $3.99. I’d rather spend my money on books and vacations. If you switch to making nut milk weekly instead of buying it, the Almond Cow will pay for itself in a year.
Almond Cow Recipes
Here are my favorite Almond Cow Recipies to wet your whistle. For the complete list of recipes, go to their website here.
Coconut Cashew Milk (AKA Cococash milk)
Even though I own an Almond Cow machine, I don’t really like almond milk! But, I love this coconut cashew milk recipe:
Ingredients: ⅓ cup coconut shreds, ⅔ cup cashew pieces, 3 dates (pits removed), 1-2 tsp vanilla, ¼ tsp sea salt.
Directions:
1. Place all ingredients in the filter basket.
2. Attach the filter basket to the top of the Almond Cow.
3. Fill the Almond Cow base to the MIN line with water, attach the top.
4. Plug in the Almond Cow and press the cow start button.
Mug Cake
This one uses the leftover pulp from your coconut cashew milk. Waste not, want not.
Ingredients: ⅓ cup CocoCash™ pulp, ¼ cup extra fine almond flour, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp coconut oil, ½ tsp vanilla extract, 1 egg*, ¼ tsp baking powder, pinch sea salt
*substitute flax egg – mix 1 tbsp ground flaxseed meal with 3 tbsp of water. Mix together, and let sit for 15 minutes to thicken
Directions:
1. Lightly grease a mug (8 – 12 ounce mug) with coconut oil or avocado oil spray.
2. Place the ingredients together in a bowl and mix until combined.
3. Place mug in the microwave for 1 minute to start. It should be springy on top and set through. If it looks like it needs more time, do 15-second increments until done.
Smores Creamer
I shouldn’t have to explain why homemade smores creamer is incredible. This recipe uses the plastic collector cup. There is no heat, and the contact with the collector cup is minimal. The collector cup is BPA-free, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely safe either.
Ingredients: ½ cup cashews, ½ cup pecans, ½ cup crushed graham crackers, ¼ cup chocolate chips, ¼ cup coconut sugar, 2 tsp vanilla extract
Directions:
1. Place cashews and pecans in the filter basket and attach it to the top.
2. Add water to the 500mL line in the collector cup. Place collector cup inside the Almond Cow base. Attach the top.
3. Plug in the Almond Cow and press the cow start button and wait until the green light stops flashing.
4. Remove contents of the filter basket, and replace with crushed graham crackers, chocolate chips, coconut sugar, and vanilla extract.
5. Attach the filter basket to the top.
6. Keep the same liquid in the collector cup. Secure top to the base and press the cow start button.
7. When the green light stops flashing, your s’mores creamer is ready.
Cold Brew Milk
If you’ve read this blog for any period, you probably know I don’t like Starbucks. I prefer to make my coffee at home and occasionally hit up a great local coffee shop.
Ingredients: 1½ cups coarse ground coffee, 3 cups ice, 2 cups almonds
Directions:
1. Place the coarse ground coffee into the filter basket. Attach filter basket.
2. Fill the Almond Cow base to the MIN line (5 cups) with water. Add 3 cups of ice.
3. Attach the top and let sit for 12 hours.
4. Once the cold brew is ready, remove the Almond top and empty and rinse the filter basket.
5. Keep the cold brew in the base. Place 1 cup of almonds in the filter basket. Attach the filter basket to the top.
6. Plug in the Almond Cow and press the cow start button. When the green light stops flashing, it is complete.
7. Remove the contents of the filter basket and replace it with the 2nd cup of almonds. Attach the filter basket to the top.
8. Press the cow start button. When the green light stops flashing, your cold brew milk is ready to enjoy.
Is The Almond Cow Machine Worth it?
The above recipes I posted are just the tip of the iceberg. I hope you can see that the Almond Cow Machine is much more than an almond milk maker. But, the question remains, is the almond cow worth $200-300? I think the answer comes down to what YOU value.
If you drink nut milk from time to time but prefer to purchase pre-made items for convenience, that is cool by me. But, you probably won’t get a return on investment with this machine. If you love dairy and don’t like drinking watered-down nut juice, I get it. Almond cow is also not for you. If you are on a tight budget right now, and $200-300 for a gadget isn’t possible, that’s fine. Head to Pinterest and grab some nut milk recipes using a strainer/nut bag and blender for now (or see another option below).
But, if you consistently drink nut milk are worried about what might be in the recipe or container, the Almond Cow is probably for you. If you are dairy-free or want to be dairy-free and committed to making more recipes at home, the almond cow is likely for you. If you’re someone who would want to depend less on big box stores and be more self-sustained, the almond cow could be your jam. I also think it’s a great tool for moms to educate their children about food ingredients.
Cheaper Version Of The Almond Cow?
I love my Almond Cow, but I was recently introduced to a similar at-home nut milk maker by @lauralivesthegoodlife on IG. While looking for her sourdough starter and saw the link she shared for this nut milk maker by Tribella that looks strikingly similar to the Almond Cow. I haven’t used it personally, but it has decent reviews and is half the price of the Almond Cow. Check it out. My best bet is you could use all the same Almond Cow recipes with the Tribella machine.
Have questions about the Almond Cow Machine or anything else? Is there another similar machine you recommend? Comment below or reach out, and I’ll do my best to answer them. I hope you found this blog helpful and about something new.
