Homemade Soy Milk (Doujiang)
Local name: 豆浆
In short: Fresh soy milk from soaked soybeans, blended, strained and simmered until smooth, served warm as a classic Chinese breakfast drink. It takes about 40 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Resting
- 10 h
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 135 kcal
Doujiang, soy milk, is the classic Chinese breakfast drink, sold hot in cups at breakfast shops beside fried dough sticks and steamed buns. Homemade soy milk is lighter and fresher than the boxed kind, and you control the sweetness. Soaked soybeans are blended with water, strained, and then simmered for at least 15 minutes to cook out the raw bean taste and make it safe to drink. It can be sweet or savory, hot or cold.
Instructions
- Drain the soaked soybeans and rinse them well. Discard any skins that float off.
- Blend the beans with 750 ml (3 cups) of the water on high for 2 minutes until very smooth.
- Line a fine sieve with a nut milk bag or a clean cloth over a large pot. Pour in the puree and press out all the liquid. Discard the pulp or save it for cooking.
- Rinse the blender with the remaining 450 ml (2 cups) of water, pour it through the pulp and press again, so the milk is not wasted.
- Bring the strained milk to a boil over medium heat, stirring often so it does not scorch. Skim the foam and watch the pot, because soy milk boils over very quickly.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for 15 minutes, stirring now and then. Stir in the sugar and salt and serve warm.
Tips
- Never drink soy milk that has not been boiled for at least 15 minutes. Raw soybeans contain compounds that can cause nausea and stomach upset.
- The pulp (okara) is rich in fiber and protein. Stir-fry it with scallions and a little soy sauce, or stir it into pancake batter.
Questions and answers
Why does my soy milk taste beany?
It has probably not simmered long enough, or the beans were old. Simmer for the full 15 minutes and use fresh dried soybeans that have been soaked well.
How long does homemade soy milk keep?
Up to 3 days in a clean, sealed bottle in the fridge. It has no preservatives, so shake it before pouring and discard it if it smells sour.
Can I make soy milk in a soy milk machine?
Yes. Soak the beans, add them and the water to the machine and use the soy milk setting. The machine does the grinding and cooking for you.
How long does it take to make Homemade Soy Milk (Doujiang)?
About 40 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Homemade Soy Milk (Doujiang)?
About 135 kcal per serving, with 9 g of protein, 12 g of carbohydrates and 5 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 135 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 9 g |
| Carbohydrates | 12 g |
| Fat | 5 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 35 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
