How to Flavor Soymilk

Adding flavor can help the pickiest eaters enjoy soy milk.

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.

Things You'll Need

• Soy milk
• 3 tbsp. sugar
• Salt
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• Chocolate syrup
• Mixing spoon
• ¾ cup fresh papaya
• Blender
• ¾ cup fresh, skinned peaches
• 1 tbsp. fresh ginger
• ¾ cup fresh blueberries

Instructions

Plain Soy Milk

1. 

   Adding sugar to plain or homemade soy milk can improve the flavor.

   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.

2. Add a few pinches of salt to taste.

3. 

   Vanilla can improve the flavor of soy milk as well as chocolate.

   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.

4. Use a large mixing spoon to mix soy milk so that all of the ingredients are evenly blended.

Papaya

1. 

   The softness and sweetness of papaya complement the taste of soy milk.

   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.

2. Blend the mixture on high for one to two minutes until all of the papaya chunks are evenly blended.

3. Serve chilled or over ice.

Peach Ginger

1. 

   Peaches enhance soy milk with a refreshing flavor.

   Add ¾ of a cup of fresh peaches to 2 cups of plain soy milk. Remove the skin from the peaches prior to blending.

2. 

   Fresh ginger helps to neutralize the "beany" flavor in soy milk.

   Add 1 tbsp. of fresh ginger. Ginger has a strong taste that will neutralize the soy milk's "beany" flavor.

3. Blend the mixture on high for one to two minutes until the peaches and ginger are evenly blended.

4. Serve chilled or over ice.

Blueberry

1. 

   Blueberries turn soy milk into a smoothie-like drink.

   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.

2. 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.

3. Serve chilled or over ice.

Tips & Warnings

• 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.

• 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.

References

• Soya: Benefits of Soy Milk
• Everyday Dish: Homemade Soy Milk

Resources

• How to Make Soy Milk At Home