Soy milk

What is Soy milk?

Soy milk is a plant-based drink made by soaking soybeans, grinding them with water, boiling the mixture, and then filtering out the solids. The result is a smooth, opaque liquid, white or off-white in color, with a consistency similar to cow's milk. Its taste can be slightly nutty or have a 'beany' flavor, especially in traditional East Asian versions. Commercial soy milk may be sweetened or flavored, and sometimes fortified with vitamins and minerals. It is used both as a beverage and as an ingredient in recipes that call for milk.

Where does Soy milk come from?

Soy milk originated in China, with records dating back to the Eastern Han dynasty. It was first described as an intermediate step in tofu production. By the 14th century, it was already a common drink, and by the 18th and 19th centuries, it was sold by street vendors and in tofu shops, often paired with foods like youtiao. The drink spread to other parts of East Asia and, in the 20th century, to Europe and North America, where production methods were developed to make it taste and feel more like dairy milk.

How is Soy milk made?

To make soy milk, soybeans are soaked in water for several hours, then ground with additional water to form a slurry. This mixture is boiled to improve flavor and safety, then strained to remove the solids, leaving a smooth liquid. The process may include steps to reduce the 'beany' odor, such as blanching the beans or using specific soybean varieties. The finished soy milk can be sweetened, flavored, or fortified before being packaged for sale.

How and when is Soy milk eaten?

Soy milk is commonly enjoyed at breakfast, especially in China and Taiwan, where it may be served hot or cold, sweetened or savory. It is often paired with foods like youtiao (fried dough sticks), mantou (steamed buns), or shaobing (sesame flatbread). In Korea, it is used as the broth for a cold noodle soup called kongguksu. Soy milk is also used as a dairy substitute in drinks, cereals, and cooking, and is popular among vegans and people with lactose intolerance.

Kinds of Soy milk

Regional versions of soy milk include sweetened types with added sugar and savory ones with ingredients like pickled vegetables, dried shrimp, and herbs. In Japan, soy milk is used to make yuba and as a base for hot pot dishes. Commercial products may be flavored, fortified, or blended to mimic the taste and texture of cow's milk. The traditional Chinese doujiang is more watery and often freshly made, while packaged versions are thicker and more consistent.

What Soy milk means

Soy milk is a staple breakfast drink in East Asia and is closely tied to daily routines in China and Taiwan. It is often sold in breakfast shops and by street vendors. Its role as a dairy alternative has made it important for vegans and those with milk allergies worldwide. In the European Union, the term 'milk' is legally reserved for animal milk, so plant-based drinks like soy milk must be labeled differently. Soy milk is also used in making other plant-based dairy substitutes.

Questions people ask about Soy milk

Good reading and sources

• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
• EU court bans dairy-style names for soya and tofuBBC, Article
• Climate change: Which vegan milk is best?BBC, Article
• How America Killed Soy MilkEater, Article

• Soy milk on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data