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Soyabella vs Almond Cow: Plant-Milk Machines For Nut Milk (Review)

Soyabella vs Almond Cow: Plant-Milk Machines For Nut Milk (Review) - Almost Zero Waste

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Soyabella vs. Almond Cow – which is the better plant-based milk machine?

Both are great devices for making plant-based milk at home, and the two machines are very similar. 

However, they have a few essential differences. 

In this article, we will look at the pros and cons of each machine and which one I prefer (& why).

Hopefully, it will help you to decide if purchasing a plant-based milk maker makes sense. 

Keep reading to find more about:

  • Soyabella vs. Almond Cow
  • Soyabella: Soya milk maker
  • Soyabella: Pros and cons
  • Almond Cow: Nut milk maker
  • Almond Cow: Pros and cons
  • How do you clean a soy (or nut) milk maker?
  • How to make almond milk with soy (or nut) milk maker: Step-by-step guide
  • Sum up: Soyabella vs. Almond Cow – Which one I prefer
  • FAQ:
    – How does a soy milk maker work?
    – Which is the best soy milk maker?
    – Can you use a soy milk maker to make almond milk?
    – Are soy milk makers worth it?
    – How long can homemade soy milk last?
    – What are the disadvantages of traditional straining with nut milk bag?
Soyabella vs Almond Cow

Soyabella vs. Almond Cow

Soyabella is a soy milk maker; however, you can also use it to make oat milk, almond milk, cashew milk, pumpkin seed milk, and other plant-based milks.

On the other hand, Almond Cow is designed explicitly for nut milk, but you can also use it for oat milk, coconut milk, pumpkin seed milk, etc. 

The main difference between the machines is the soy milk function of Soyabella. 

Once you place soaked soybeans inside the container of Soyabella, the machine will take about 20 minutes to make soy milk.

It will cook and then blend the beans, creating soy milk.

Almond Cow doesn’t have such a function. It can only blend things for a couple of seconds, and it doesn’t have a “cooking” option for making soy milk. 

Soyabella vs Almond Cow

Soyabella: Soya milk maker

The Soyabella milk maker will help you to make milk faster and easier. 

The traditional way of making soy milk at home includes soaking soybeans, then blending with water. 

After that, you need to strain it with a nut bag, and cook the milk in a pot since soy is a legume, and you can’t drink the milk raw.

After the milk gets warm and boils for a couple of minutes, the soy milk will be ready. 

Making soy milk:

The Soyabella simplifies the whole process by cooking, blending, and straining the milk for you. The whole process takes about 20 minutes.

All you need to do is soak the soybeans (for at least 4-6 hours or overnight) and add them to the removable mesh strainer. 

Then, you have to attach it to the top part of the machine, and add water to the aluminum jug. Then, add the upper piece on top, and click the “Milk” button.

Then, the machine will do all the work for you.

The soy milk and the machine are getting quite hot, so when removing the top part to transfer the milk, use a towel to avoid burning your hands.

Making nut/oat milk:

To make any other type of milk (oat, almond, hazelnut, etc.), you have to click the “Mill” button.

This will grind the ingredients, and mix them with the water, creating plant milk.

Each cycle is about 10 seconds. It is best to repeat the “Mill” cycle between 3-5 times for creamier nut or oat milk.

Specifications:

Warranty: 2 years for household use 

Water capacity: 0.8 – 1.3L 

Motor power: 220 Watt 

Weight: 5.4 lbs (2.4 kg)

Made in: China

Where to buy Soyabella:

You can buy Soyabella on Amazon.

I purchased mine secondhand from eBay, so you can check there, too.

Soyabella: Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Reduces waste from Tetra paks.
  • Cheaper plant-based milk if you buy your soybeans or nuts from a bulk store.
  • Easy to use.
  • Making soy milk is so much faster and more convenient with the machine.
  • You can use it for any type of plant milk – soy, oat, coconut, hemp, nut milk, etc.
  • Multifunctional – You can use Soyabella not just for making plant milk. You can use it to make soups, cereals, rice paste, and even grind coffee.
  • Soyabella is cheaper than Almond Cow.

Cons:

  • Sometimes, the milk feels grainy. If I made it to drink my coffee with it, then I have to strain (with a strainer) the milk to be completely smooth. This makes the process a bit longer.
  • If you add too much water (and not enough soybeans or nuts), the milk will be watery.
  • It is a bit annoying to wash & if you don’t clean the small container immediately, the leftover pulp sticks to the holes, and it is very hard to wash.
Soyabella vs Almond Cow

Almond Cow: Nut milk maker

The Almond Cow machine is to simplify the process of making almond milk (or any other nut milk) by not dealing with straining. 

It works very similarly to Soyabella. You have to add almonds (or any other nuts) to the removable mesh strainer. Add about 1 liter to the jug, and attach the top part to the base.

Then, click the button between 3-5 times (each cycle is about 10 seconds). 

Remove the top part, and pour your milk into a jar or bottle. 

Specifications:

Warranty: 30-day return policy, 1-year warranty. The customer is responsible for return shipping costs. 

Water capacity: 1 – 1.1L

Power usage: 240W 

Weight: 4.6 lbs (2.1 kg)

Made in: Nanhai, China

Where to buy Almond Cow: 

You can find Almond Cow on their website – the link will give you a $10 OFF code. 

Soyabella vs Almond Cow

Almond Cow: Pros and cons

Pros

  • Easy to use.
  • Reduces waste from Tetra paks.
  • You can make various plant-based milk from seeds, nuts, oats, etc. 
  • Saves money in the long run.
  • Their website has TONS of great recipe ideas. 

Cons

  • Not as thick as store-bought. If you add too much water, the milk will be watery. 
  • People report issues with the stainless steel basket. If you don’t lock it correctly or aren’t careful, it can come off mid-cycle and stretch the basket. 
  • It doesn’t have a function for making soy milk.
  • It is more expensive.

How do you clean a soy (or nut) milk maker?

Washing the machine isn’t hard.

But you need to be careful, and you shouldn’t make wet the top – the removable part, where the buttons are, and the lowest part of the machine. (see image for reference)

If you forget or do it accidentally, you can damage the motor. 

You need to wash just three parts. It is super important to wash the small container that strains the milk as soon as you finish. 

Soy pulp (or any other pulp) will stick to the holes in the basket, and then it will be almost impossible to wash.

How to make almond milk with nut milk maker machine: Step-by-step guide

1. Soak 1 cup (150g) of almonds overnight. I do it when I’m going to bed, so they’re ready the next day. If I forgot, I would do a “quick soak,” which essentially means to boil almonds for 10 minutes. 

2. Add water to the jug. I found that adding between 0.9 – 1 L makes the best, not watery milk.

3. Add the almonds into the removable aluminum mesh cup.

4. Put the cup on the top part. Look for the words that say “Open-Close.” Twist to the left.

5. Put the head assembly back onto the jug, and hit the button. After a short 10-second cycle, you can press it 2-4 more times to get creamier milk.

That’s it!

If you want ultra-smooth milk, you can strain it with a strainer, nut milk bag, or a cloth. 

For example, if I need milk for baking or anything else – I don’t strain it. 

However, if it’s for drinking coffee, I prefer the milk to be as smooth as possible. So, sometimes I strain it. 

The residual almond meal left in the milk is usually very little – a tablespoon at most.

Soyabella vs Almond Cow
Example: leftover residual soy meal from soy milk (it is brown-ish because I added cinnamon)

Sum up: Soyabella vs. Almond Cow – Which one I prefer

Before sharing which one I like the most, know that I own Soyabella, and I haven’t tried the Almond Cow.

While I never used Almond Cow, from my research and from what I’ve read, I can see that both machines are very similar.

The aluminum mesh strainer looks pretty much the same, the power of the machines is similar, and the cycles are about 10 seconds. 

So, I can assume that the milk from Almond Cow is very similar to Soyabella.

With that in mind, I have to say that I prefer Soyabella. The main reasons are:

1) Soyabella can make soy milk, and it is so much easier. I like that. I can’t make soy milk with the Almond Cow (or if I can, it will take much longer, and the process won’t be efficient).

2) I can also make any oat or nut milk with the Soyabella. 

3) Soyabella is cheaper. 

Soyabella vs Almond Cow

FAQ:

How does a soy milk maker work?

The soaked soybeans are added to the grinding aluminum chamber. Then it is attached to the top part of the machine, and the whole top part is added on top of the aluminum jug. 

Then, you will turn on the machine with the buttons on top. This will start the process of cooking the soybeans. In the end, the machine will grind the cooked soybeans into a fine paste. 

The chamber will strainer the soybeans, and they will immerse with the water you placed earlier, creating creamy soy milk in about 20 minutes. 

Which is the best soy milk maker?

In my opinion, the Soyabella is the best. The price is reasonable, and it has all the essential options you will need. 

It is easy to use and to clean, plus it is multifunctional – you can make any type of plant milk and even other things, like soups.  

Can you use a soy milk maker to make almond milk?

Yes, you can! 

To make almond milk with Soyabella, you must click the “Mill” option and not the “Milk” one.

The “Milk” option is specifically for soy milk.

Soyabella vs Almond Cow

Are soy milk makers worth it?

It depends.

If you drink mostly soy milk, then it is worth it! The traditional method of making soy milk at home is so much longer. 

A soy milk maker will make the whole process easier and faster.

However, if you make mostly nut milk and have a powerful blender (like Vitamix), I will probably reconsider if I need a particular machine for milk.

Again, if you are 100% sure you will use the machine daily, and you are sick and tired of making milk in a blender – then I will recommend it. 

But if you are happy with the result and not bothered by using a blender – then save your money, and stick with the blender milk. 

How long can homemade soy milk last?

Homemade soy milk can last between 3 to 5 days in a sealed container in the fridge. 

If the milk has a funky smell or taste, it went bad. 

You can freeze soy milk for 3-6 months. The ingredients tend to separate, and the consistency and texture change.

However, freezing does not affect soy milk’s safety or nutritional value.

What are the disadvantages of traditional straining with a nut milk bag?

Straining takes a lot of time and energy and makes a simple process long and often frustrating. But that’s not all. There are a couple of issues with using a cheesecloth/nut milk bag.

1) The milk can spoil faster. This is especially if the nut bad is not 100% clean and sterile.

2) You need to wash your hands to squeeze all the milk. If you squeeze out for too long, the oil from your hands can contribute to faster-spoiling milk. Yikes.

 3) You have a lot of washing afterward. The blender, the nut bag, the bowl that will collect the milk, possibly a filter, and a funnel to pour the milk into a jar or a bottle. 

4) Cleaning a cheesecloth/nut bag takes forever. Somehow, it never seems to get clean enough in the end. 

6 Comments

  1. Hi there! Not sure if you ended up writing this already but the almond cow does do soy milk. They have a recipe on their website for it, unless I am misunderstanding the recipe. Anyway, thanks for the comparison, I am trying to weigh other nut milk makers against the almond cow! Take care!

    1. Hi Kate! AAh, I just found it, yeah. Thanks for the info! I just noticed, that the soybeans need to be soaked & blended in the Almond Cow, and then after making the soy milk in the Almond Cow, you need to separately cook it. If I was buying a machine for plant milk and planning to make mostly soy milk, I think the Soyabella is a bit more convenient (because it also cooks the milk). Anyway, I hope that the comparison was helpful. 🙂

  2. Hi Kate, thanks for this, as I’m weighing up which one of these to get. Also considering the MioMat, which seems to do everything- have you heard of that one, and/or have an opinion?

    1. Hi Monique! I actually got a MioMat (& sold my Soyabella). I like that MioMat is multifunctional – you can make smoothies, soups, and plant milk from grains, nuts, and soy. I still didn’t use it a lot, which is something I think you should consider. Do you want a machine specifically for plant milk or something you can use to make various things? For example, I have made 2-3 times soup since I got MioMat and I always forget to use it because I’m just so used to making soup in an old-fashioned way. Nonetheless, if you think you will use all the functions, MioMat is a great deal.

  3. Hi, Merilin. The Soyabella is actually made out of stainless steel, not aluminum. I am not sure what materials the Almond Cow is made out of.

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