Adah Sharma shares Black Milk recipe

• Actress Adah Sharma shares a recipe for nutritious 'Black Milk'
• Black sesame seeds provide the dark colour and healthy nutrients
• The vegan drink can be enjoyed chilled or used as a face mask

Forget everything you know about plain white milk. Actress Adah Sharma recently shared a recipe for a striking 'Black Milk' that has captured social media's curiosity. But what exactly is it, and what gives it that dramatic, dark hue?

What Exactly Is Adah Sharma's Black Milk?

This eye-catching beverage isn't a magic potion, but a simple, homemade plant-based milk. Its dramatic black colour comes from one key ingredient: black sesame seeds (til). Unlike some other trendy dark-coloured foods that use activated charcoal, this drink gets its natural colouring entirely from these nutrient-dense seeds. The recipe, shared by the actress, combines black sesame with cashews for creaminess and dates for natural sweetness, creating a wholesome and visually unique drink that has piqued the interest of many online.

The Power of Black Sesame Seeds

The star of this recipe is undoubtedly the black sesame seed. For centuries, these seeds have been used in various culinary traditions and are prized for their nutritional profile. They are a good source of healthy fats, protein, and minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, and zinc. Black sesame seeds are also rich in antioxidants, including unique compounds called sesamin and sesamolin, which are believed to have various health benefits. Their flavour is nutty and rich, more pronounced than that of white sesame seeds, which gives the milk a distinctive, earthy taste that pairs well with the sweetness of dates.

Ingredients You Will Need

To whip up this 'Black Milk' at home, you only need a handful of simple ingredients. The recipe is vegan, dairy-free, and relies on natural sweeteners. Here’s your shopping list: Black Sesame Seeds: About half a cup. These are essential for both the colour and the flavour. Cashews: A small handful (around 8-10). These add creaminess to the milk. Dates: Two or three, with the seeds removed. These provide natural sweetness. Salt: Just a pinch to enhance the flavours.* Water: For blending everything into a smooth liquid.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Making Black Milk

Making this drink is a straightforward process that involves toasting, blending, and straining. Follow these steps to create your own glass of 'Black Milk' just like Adah Sharma. 1. Toast the Sesame Seeds: Start by dry roasting half a cup of black sesame seeds in a pan over low heat. Keep them moving until they start to crackle and release a nutty aroma. This step is crucial for deepening their flavour. Be careful not to burn them. Once they pop, remove them from the heat and let them cool. 2. Lightly Roast the Cashews: In the same pan, you can lightly toast the cashews for a minute or two to enhance their flavour, though this step is optional. 3. Blend Everything Together: In a high-speed blender, combine the cooled, toasted sesame seeds, the cashews, the pitted dates, and a pinch of salt. Add a cup or two of water and blend until you have a smooth, puréed mixture. 4. Strain the Milk: Place a fine-mesh strainer or a piece of muslin cloth over a bowl or jug. Pour the blended mixture into it and squeeze firmly to separate the liquid milk from the solid pulp. The dark, strained liquid is your finished 'Black Milk'.

Enjoy and Repurpose

Your homemade 'Black Milk' is now ready to drink. It can be enjoyed chilled or gently warmed for a comforting latte-style beverage. In her post, Adah Sharma also suggested a clever way to use the leftover pulp from the straining process. She recommended applying the remaining sesame and cashew paste to your face as a quick, seven-minute face mask for a potential skin boost. This zero-waste approach adds another layer of appeal to the recipe, making it beneficial both inside and out.