Soymilk
is the rich creamy milk of whole soybeans. With its unique
nutty flavor and rich nutrition, soymilk can be used in a
variety of ways.
In
China and Japan, fresh soymilk is made daily using a simple,
centuries-old process of grinding soaked and cooked soybeans
and pressing the dissolved soymilk out of the beans. In these
countries, soymilk is sold by street vendors or in cafes.
It is served hot or cold and is often sweetened for a delightful
beverage or flavored with soy sauce, onion and vegetables
to produce a spicy soup.
A
faux soymilk can be made from soy flour, or soybeans.
Tips
For Using Soymilk
Soymilk
can be used in almost any way that cow’s milk is used.
• |
Try
plain or flavored soymilk as a refreshing drink |
• |
Pour
soymilk over hot or cold breakfast cereal |
• |
Use
soymilk to make cream sauces that are cholesterol-free
and low in saturated fat |
• |
Make
rich pancake and waffle mixes |
• |
Create
your own delicious shakes with soymilk, ice cream or tofu
and fruit |
• |
Use
soymilk to make cream soups |
• |
Try
soymilk instead of evaporated milk to produce lower-fat
custards and pumpkin pies |
Buying
& Storing Soymilk
Soymilk
is sold in supermarkets, health food stores and specialty
food shops. It is most commonly found in aseptic (non-refrigerated)
quart and 8-ounce containers, but is also sold refrigerated
in plastic quart and half-gallon containers.
Unopened,
aseptically packaged soymilk can be stored at room temperature
for several months. Once it is opened, the soymilk must be
refrigerated. It will stay fresh for about 5 days.
Soymilk
also is sold as a powder, which must be mixed with water.
Soymilk
powder should be stored in the refrigerator or freezer.
Types
of Soymilk
Soymilk
is available as a plain, unflavored beverage or in a variety
of flavors including chocolate, vanilla, carob and almond.
With the growing interest in lower-fat products, a number
of “lite” soymilks, with reduced fat content,
are appearing on the market.
Nutritional
Value of Soymilk
Plain,
unfortified soymilk is an excellent source of high-quality
protein, B-vitamins and iron. Some brands of soymilk are fortified
with vitamins and minerals and are good sources of calcium,
vitamin D and vitamin B-12. Soymilk is free of the milk sugar
lactose and is a good choice for people who are lactose intolerant.
Also, it is a good alternative for those who are allergic
to cow’s milk. Children can enjoy homemade or commercially
prepared soymilk after the age of 1 year. Infants under 1
year of age should be fed breast milk, commercially prepared
infant formula or commercial soymilk infant formula.
Nutrients
in 8 ounces of plain soymilk:
| |
Regular
Soymilk |
Lite
Soymilk
(reduced fat) |
| Calories
(gm) |
140 |
100 |
| Protein
(gm) |
10.0 |
4.0 |
| Fat
(gm) |
4.0 |
2.0 |
| Carbohydrate
(gm) |
14.0 |
16.0 |
| Sodium
(mg) |
120.0 |
100.0 |
| Iron
(mg) |
1.8 |
0.6 |
| Riboflavin
(mg) |
0.1 |
11.0 |
| Calcium
(mg) |
80.0 |
80.0 |
| Source:
product analysis |
|
|
By
Soy Foods. For more information log onto www.soyfoods.com
|
