Cardamom Rose Water Horchata and Froothie Optimum G2.1 Platinum Review

You might already have a blender, in fact you more likely or not own a NutriBullet style blender – I do too, in fact I also own a Magimix – but there’s one thing that bugs me about both, the inability to blend hot liquids without an explosion out of the sides of either of them. I know the NutriBullet isn’t designed for hot liquids but I’m a Bulletproof Coffee fanatic and I NEED my buttery coffee every morning. That’s why when I was lucky enough to receive the Froothie Optimum G2.1 Platinum Series Blender for review a while back I was over the moon. It’s both a domestic and commercial blender with a whopping 2,611 Watt motor that puts most Blendtec or Vitamix models a run for their money. You can use this bad boy for pretty much anything – I’ve used it as a food processor to make my awesome Paleo and Vegan Nutella, energy balls, cookie dough, soups, dips, to grind nuts into nut flours, and of course nut milk. I’ve also used it to make smoothies, nice cream, and of course my beloved cup of Bulletproof Coffee.

It boasts some pretty amazing features too:

• 6 blade assembly
• 6 automatic, one-push, pre-programmed settings; fruit, sorbet, grind, nut milk, soup, and sauces.
• UL, CE, and FDA approved Eastman Copolyester BPA Free jug with lid and cap
• Elegant and simple LED touchscreen digital display panel.
• Heavy duty tamper tool included for improved processing and mixing.
• Inbuilt safety sensor – automatically turns off the motor in the event of overheating.
• Comes complete with a FREE nut milk bag and 104-page comprehensive hard-copy recipe book.
• 30 day money back guarantee – including return postage!
• Access to expert support team
• Comprehensive warranty
• Available in Black, Red, or Silver.

So how does this tot up to other blenders of its kind?

As you can see, the motor is considerably faster than most Vitamix models in a similar price range, it has more pre-programmed settings than a Vitamix. It is also faster than most Blendtec blenders and has a larger BPA free jug than the Blendtec Designer 725. Like the Vitamix range it too has a heavy duty tamper tool for improved processing and mixing. So as you can see this is one of the most ass kicking blenders out there at the moment. But how much does it cost? The Froothie Optimum G2.1 Platinum Series Blender usually retails at £599 but is currently available at £399 which is considerably cheaper than most Vitamix and Blendtec models on the UK market (even at its standard RRP). (For all US customers you can pick up your Optimum G2.1 for $990.)

What I really loved about this Froothie blender was it’s simplicity and elegance on the worktop, and that there’s no need to click, twist, or turn the jug onto the base, which I don’t know about you, but it drives me insane! The jug simply sits in place (I think by use of a magnet but don’t quote me on this) and has a super easy pourable spout too so no mess afterward! It’s also relatively easy to clean and maintain unlike other food processors.

To grab your very own Froothie Optimum G2.1 Platinum Series Blender for just £399 click here – quick before the offer ends! (For all US customers you can pick up your Optimum G2.1 for $990 by clicking here.)

Cardamom Rose Water Horchata

So a while back you might remember that I shared with you my recipe for Cashew Mylk which I made using my juicer, and although a great method, I felt like harder nuts might be a bit awkward. So when I cracked out my Froothie Optimum blender and realised that it came complete with a nut milk bag I was all over it. I also had a huge amount of The Tiger Nut Company’s Premium Peeled Tiger Nuts left over to use so I knew horchata would be perfect!

Freshly soaked tiger nuts and cardamom pods, ready to be blitzed.

For those of you that don’t know what tiger nuts are – they are an amazing little superfood that isnt a nut! In fact they’re actually a tuber. They’re gluten-free, raw, Paleo, vegan and packed full of goodness. Tiger nuts are also a fab source of resistant starch – a prebiotic that feeds your good gut bacteria. Tiger nuts are high in fibre and magnesium, and contain more potassium than a banana – just 25 tiger nuts contain 139mg of potassium! Potassium helps your cells and organs to work efficiently, regulates your muscles contractions, and aids digestion. Tiger nuts are also high in protein so a great addition to any vegan diet.

Check out that swanky blue LED display!

Horchata is easy to make, and even easier to make in the Optimum G2.1 – simply pour the soaked tiger nuts into the blender and select the ‘Nut Milk’ function and sit back and relax. I use the soaking water in my recipe to retain all of the gorgeous flavours of the cardamom pods and also add a little water to ensure that the mixture processes into a smooth paste as below.

The Optimum G2.1 obliterates tiger nuts in seconds!

Once you’ve made your paste you just spoon it into the nut milk bag that Froothie provide you with, or if you don’t have this a piece of muslin or cheesecloth will work wonders, and then get squeezing into a bowl. I love this part because it’s like a huge forearm workout! In fact if you’re a fitness buff it’s the equivalent of doing towel wrings which is amazing for grip strength!

Get squeezing!

After you’ve done this just add in some extra water to thin out the horchata – it’s quite a thick milk – and then your gorgeous rose water, along with a little vanilla powder. You can’t keep this milk as long as conventional nut milks – just 48 hours when stored in the refrigerator – but it probably won’t last that long anyway! It’s best served over ice and as tiger nuts are naturally sweet you won’t need to sweeten your milk either making it even healthier! I used the VARDAGEN clear glass carafe from IKEA that comes with a little silicone lid that doesn’t leak. It costs between £2-3 depending upon the size you buy! They come in 0.5L and 1L sizes.

A refreshing glass of Cardamom Rose Water Horchata served on ice, topped with rose petals.

Cardamom Rose Water Horchata

 

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Prep time

12 hours 10 mins

Total time

12 hours 10 mins

 

This Cardamom Rose Water Horchata is a nut-free and dairy-free milk alternative that brings the elegance and flavour of the Middle East to any breakfast table.

Author: Greens of the Stone Age

Recipe type: Drinks

Serves: 600ml

Ingredients

• 250g/2 cups The Tiger Nut Company Premium Peeled Tiger Nuts
• 1 cup boiled water plus 1 cup filtered water
• 15 cardamom pods (crushed)
• ½ tsp sea salt or fine Himalayan pink salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 3 drops organic food grade ginger essential oil (optional but delicious)
• Another 2 cups filtered water
• 1 tsp alcohol free rose water (I use Steenbergs)
• ¼ tsp vanilla powder (I use Ndali)
• Optional topping - Dried rose petals (I use Steenbergs)

Instructions

1. Pour the tiger nuts, 1 cup freshly boiled water and 1 cup filtered water, crushed cardamom pods, sea salt, ground cinnamon, and organic ginger essential oil into a large mixing bowl and give a quick stir. Leave to soak in the water for 12-24 hours, or until softened.
2. Transfer the tiger nuts, soaking water, and cardamom pods into your Froothie Optimum Blender (or high-powered blender). Add 1 cup of filtered water (necessary to allow even blending) and select the nut milk function. The tiger nuts should process until they form a smooth paste.
3. Next spoon your paste into a nut milk bag, press it through and squeeze over a large bowl. Squeeze out as much liquid as you physically can until you just have pulp left in the bag. Don't throw away the pulp! You can use this to make tiger nut flour, cookies, brownies, and other delicious treats. (Stay tuned for my tiger nut flour recipe!)
4. Add another 1 cup of filtered water, your rose water, and vanilla powder to the horchata, stir thoroughly, and transfer to an airtight container. Store for up to 2 days in the refrigerator. (I use the VARDAGEN clear glass carafe with lid from IKEA, which costs between £2-3 depending upon the size you buy!)
5. Serve over ice with a sprinkling of dried rose petals for the ultimate elegant summer drink!

Notes

*Please note that total prep time includes a 12 hour soaking period.
**All cup measurements used are UK cup measurements and so 1 cup = 250ml.

3.5.3208

Disclaimer: Please note that this is NOT a sponsored post. I am a Froothie Ambassador and was sent a Froothie Optimum G2.1 for review – all opinions are my own and 100% honest.  The links provided to the blender are affiliate which means if you buy an Optimum G2.1 using this link, it won’t cost you any extra, but I will get a small commission to help keep my blog up and running. If you’d like to know more, feel free to contact me.