Switching from cow’s milk to soy milk is a healthy decision. The health benefits of soy milk include cholesterol reduction, prebiotics that boost the immune system and isoflavones, which ease menopause symptoms and reduce the risk of certain cancers. Unlike cow’s milk, soy milk does not contain hormones or animal proteins. Although the flavor of commercial soy milk continues to improve, making the switch can be difficult for kids and adults. Flavoring is one way to get used to the taste and get even the pickiest of eaters to learn to enjoy soy milk.
Plain Soy Milk
Add 3 tbsp. of sugar per 64 oz. of soy milk to sweeten and help boost the flavor of plain or homemade soy milk. Common complaints with homemade soymilk are a “beany” flavor that can be eliminated when it is sweetened and flavored.
Add a few pinches of salt to taste.
Add further flavorings as desired. Adding 2 tsp. of vanilla extract will turn soy milk into vanilla soy milk. Chocolate syrup can also be added to taste to create a delicious chocolate soy milk drink.
Use a large mixing spoon to mix soy milk so that all of the ingredients are evenly blended.
Papaya
Add ¾ cup of papaya to 2 cups of plain soy milk. You can also use vanilla soy milk or add 2 tsp. of vanilla to enhance the flavor.
Blend the mixture on high for one to two minutes until all of the papaya chunks are evenly blended.
Serve chilled or over ice.
Peach Ginger
Add ¾ of a cup of fresh peaches to 2 cups of plain soy milk. Remove the skin from the peaches prior to blending.
Add 1 tbsp. of fresh ginger. Ginger has a strong taste that will neutralize the soy milk’s “beany” flavor.
Blend the mixture on high for one to two minutes until the peaches and ginger are evenly blended.
Serve chilled or over ice.
Blueberry
Add ¾ of a cup of fresh blueberries to 2 cups of plain soy milk. You can also use vanilla soy milk or add 2 tsp. of vanilla extract to enhance the flavor.
Blend the mixture on medium-high for one to two minutes until the blueberries are evenly blended. The blueberry skins may not break down completely during the blending process.
Serve chilled or over ice.
Tip
Store-bought soy milk can be expensive. Make your own soy milk at home to save money. Neutralize the "beany" taste of soymilk by soaking the soy beans overnight in a large shallow container.
Warning
Even if you are buying it plain, some store-bought soy milks already have sugar added. To minimize your sugar intake, read the label before adding sweetener. You can also buy unsweetened soy milk if you prefer to sweeten it yourself.