My Soy Milk Keeps Seperating

Cafe Society
1

Hi all! I have been lurking here for most of my life (wow, just realized that!) and inspired by the wealth of knowledge here, including the rapid respond to the question about the Voyager locations:

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=548525

I throw myself toward the knowledge of this board, and ask about my soy making capabilities.

I have been trying to make an organic soy milk at home sans soy milk machine, and after some initial success in the emulsification process, all of my attempts have been separating. I’ve tried to control as many of the steps as possible, and below is the current procedure which I’m trying. Any tips or thoughts as to how I can once again have an actual soy milk product (instead of some soy porridge sitting at the bottom of a pool of soy water) is appreciated!

  1. Soak beans for 8-24 hours (typing this out, this may be once possible area of concern, as I just recently used some beans soaked for 8 hours, however the previous batch was soaked for 24 hours, and had similiar results.

  2. Process 1/2 cup beans in a 10:1 ratio of water to beans in a blender for 4 minutes in a 3.5 amp commercial blender. Into this mixture prior to blending 1/2 cup of golden raisins is added.

  3. Heat the processed mixture to roughly 220 degrees.

  4. Mix the resulting foam into the pot as it starts to boil, folding the whole product in.

  5. Continue to heat for 30 minutes

  6. Strain

  7. Post my frustrations on the Dope.

Thoughts?:confused:

2

Has it separated as in curds of tofu? I would try it with no raisins, in case they’re acting as the curdling agent. If it doesn’t separate with no raisins, then you’ll know.

3

I’ve never made soymilk, but IME even commercial soymilk separates out. There are always instructions to shake before using, and even then, I find that the bottom of the container ends up being less watery than the stuff from the top.

Also, why are you opting to use raisins as your sweetener? The first ten or so recipes I found online contained no dried fruit; they either used a more traditional sweetener (sugar, honey, barley malt, maple syrup) or went unsweetened. Have you tried without raisins at all?