Almond Cow Review: Pros and Cons. Is this appliance for you?

Sep 5, 2018 (Last updated Jul 25, 2023) by Hannah Sunderani

Almond Cow Review: Pros and Cons. Is this appliance for you?

$15 OFF Almond Cow machine with the discount code “TWOSPOONS” at checkout.

Hi guys!

Today I’m sharing my own honest opinion in this in-depth, Almond Cow Review. Over the last 5+ years, I’ve been using this plant-based milk machine on a regular basis and am dishing the details on what I love, and what I don’t love, to ultimately help you decide if this appliance is one you need in your home kitchen.

If you’ve made my Macha Latte with Almond Milk you already know I am a huge fan of making my own non-dairy milk at home. Before I had an Almond Cow, I loved making Homemade Almond Milk with a blender and nut-milk bag. And while it is still a method I use from time to time, it’s not something I always have time for, especially with a toddler running around!

Compliments to Almond Cow for creating a machine designed to solve this dilemma and help us make plant-milk at home with just the push of a button! No squeezing, mess, or difficult clean up!

Now lets get in to the details to see if this milk maker is a great option for you.

What is an Almond Cow?

The Almond Cow is a home appliance designed to make homemade nut milks and plant-based milks as easy as the touch of a button. Literally! The machine is designed to automatically separate the pulp from the nuts, oats, rice, etc. from the milk so you don’t have to go through the messy hassle of using a nut milk bag or cheese cloth to strain.

How does the Almond Cow Work?

1. Pour cold water into the base to your desired fill line (5 to 6 cups).
2. Add about 1 cup of raw ingredients to the filter basket.
3. Attach the metal filter basket to the head and place it over the base.
4. Press the cow button to start the almond cow and run through the 3-stage blending cycle (about 60 seconds total!).
5. Enjoy immediately or transfer to your favorite glass jug or mason jar and refrigerate!

Watch my Almond Cow Review on YouTube:

Watch my Almond Cow Plant-Based Milk Maker review on YouTube on Season 3 of Vegan Afternoon with Two Spoons!

Pros of the Almond Cow:

• Better quality – One of the biggest complaints people have regarding store-bought plant-based milks is that they are low quality and watered down. Homemade almond milk is so much richer, creamier and more lush than store bought. Like a fine wine you want to savour each sip, and let it linger on your taste-buds. Plus, it’s completely free of all of the preservatives and unnecessary additives. The quality is truly unmatched compared to the store-bought milk alternatives on the market.
• Cheaper milk – It’s no secret that the Almond Cow is an expensive appliance, but I’d consider it an investment, especially if your family or littles drink a lot of plant-based milk throughout the week. The upfront cost may be higher, but cup for cup, homemade plant milks have significant cost savings, especially if you are using cheaper ingredients such as oats. Overtime, if you use it on a regular basis, this appliance will pay for itself.
• Versatile – The almond cow can make more than just plant milk! Over the years, Almond Cow has added quite the collection of recipes to their website. The almond cow can make wellness shots, coffee creamer, hot chocolate, lemonade, cold brew, cocktails and more!
• Ease of use – A machine like this makes it easier and more convenient to make plant milk at home vs. buying store-bought. Using something like a blender and nut milk bag is also quick, but it’s more time intensive to clean afterwards. The stainless steel appliance makes the entire process start to finish with a quick and easy cleanup.
• Makes 5-6 cups of fresh milk – Unlike some of Almond Cow’s competitors, this machine is capable of making quite a large batch of milk at a time. This is great for larger families, people who cook often, or people like me that love a matcha latte in the mornings.
• Ships worldwide – The Almond Cow is based in the United States, but do ship worldwide. An absolute bonus if you ask me! Anyone can purchase and enjoy the benefits of fresh plant-based milk.

$15 OFF Almond Cow machine with the discount code “TWOSPOONS” at checkout.

Cons of the Almond Cow:

• Upfront cost – Listing this one first because this one is a biggie! When I purchased my Almond Cow over 5 years ago, the Almond Cow was $195 per unit. In 2023, it is now $245, making it even more of an investment than it was 5 years ago! When compared to the price of a nut milk bag ($10), the Almond Cow is extremely expensive and may not be a reasonable purchase for everyone’s budget.
• Size – This machine is quite large and will take up as much space on your counter top as a blender. If you have limited counter space or kitchen storage, you may have difficulty adding another appliance to your collection! A nut milk bag in comparison will take up virtually no space.
• Single-use gadget – As noted above, the Almond Cow can make a host of different drinks from plant-based milks to cocktails! But at the end of the day, it’s a drink maker. A blender (with nut milk bag) achieves the same outcome, but has a host of other tasks it can perform from blending soups, smoothies and sauces, pulsing ingredients into fine powders, making nut butters and more. This is definitely something to consider if you have limited kitchen space and are looking for multi-purpose appliances.
• More pulp in the milk – This may not be a con for everyone, but the Almond Cow does leave more pulp in the milk than a nut milk bag or store-bought milk. If you prefer your milk silky smooth with absolutely no pulp, this appliance may not be the one for you.
• Not dishwasher safe – This is not much of a con for me, but it may be for you! The filter basket is dish washer safe, but the base and the top of the almond cow both must be washed by hand. Similarly, the black portion of the top of the machine is not meant to get wet, meaning you need to be careful when rinsing!

Popular Almond Cow Alternatives on the Market:

• Nut milk bag and high-powered blender – This was how I learned how to make nut milk at home when I first went vegan and is a fantastic option for anyone wanting to test out making their own homemade milk. It’s affordable, keeps a majority of the pulp out of the milk, and makes the milk creamier by blending the nuts more thoroughly. The biggest con to this alternative is the effort and cleanup required.
• Nutr Machine – This machine makes milk in a very similar way to the almond cow, but is about $100 cheaper. The biggest difference between the two is that the Nutr is much smaller and is only capable of making 1-2 cups of milk at a time. This may be a better option for people with smaller kitchen storage, or only need enough milk for one!

To Buy or Not to Buy?

This answer depends on you and your needs. If time and ease are important to you, then the Almond Cow is the clear winner. But if money and space are of upmost importance and you don’t mind putting in a bit more effort for very similar results, then a nut milk bag is for you. Or if you simply can’t decide, make my Instant Almond Milk: How to Make Almond Milk in 30 Seconds (No straining!).

Both options create plant-milk that is far superior compared to store-bought milk. Trust me, once you try the homemade stuff you’ll never go back!

$15 OFF Almond Cow machine with the discount code “TWOSPOONS” at checkout.

Almond Cow FAQs:

What types of milk can I make in a plant-based milk maker?

The Almond Cow can make tons of different plant-based milks. The most popular options are almond milk, coconut milk using organic coconut shreds, cashew milk, hemp milk, oat milk, rice milk, soy milk, pea milk, and more. It’s a dream for people that are lactose intolerance and want to make a wide array of lactose-free options from home.

How long does milk made in the Almond Cow last?

Fresh homemade almond milk and similar alternative milks will typically last for 3-5 days in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator. Homemade milks do spoil faster than store-bought milks because they are completely natural and do not contain any additives or preservatives that slow down the aging process.

Do you have to soak nuts for Almond Cow?

You do not have to soak your nuts before using them in making your own creamy, plant-based milks, but you can if you prefer! Doing so can help them blend better and for plant-milks such as oat milk, it is recommended for a creamier milk.

Is there a way to speed up soaking nuts?

Soaking the nuts in a bowl with boiled hot water reduces the soak time to 1 hour. Recipes typically recommend soaking nuts overnight, but this is a fast abd fool-proof method for speeding up the process.

What can I make with the leftover pulp?

Almond pulp is a delicious addition to smoothies, baked into muffins, cookies, crackers, etc. Check out these 12 Easy Almond Pulp Recipes for inspiration!

Can you make homemade nut milk frothy?

Homemade nut milks will get frothy, but not as frothy as plant milks sold in stores. This is not a problem with the almond cow but due to the naturalness of the milk. Store-bought milks are made with preservatives and stabilizers that help them froth better.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re still contemplating or not, it’s definitely worth checking out Almond Cow website for different types of plant-based milks you can create using their machine. They have a lot of really creative ideas!

And I love what this company is doing in general. They’re supporting sustainable living, minimizing waste, and empowering us to make healthier food choices. Best of all they are making it EASY to make positive change with their hassle free machine. It’s companies like these that I’m rooting for!

If the Almond Cow machine is for you then I can offer you a small discount for $15 OFF with the discount code “TWOSPOONS” at checkout. (this discount code is never to expire). Cheers!