THE BEST MILK ALTERNATIVES FOR YOUR COFFEE
Your daily cup of coffee doesn’t always have to contain dairy! With dairy sensitivities and increased concerns around health and wellness, we’ve seen plenty of milk alternatives hit the supermarket shelves in recent years. Whether you choose non-dairy alternatives for lifestyle, health, or environmental reasons, you still want your coffee to taste delicious. We took the time to break down the different milk alternatives that can best complement your morning cup.
Oat Milk
Joining the ranks of almond, rice, and soy, oat milk is the latest trendy plant-based milk to take over supermarket shelves, cafés, and coffee shops everywhere. Oat milk has been quickly gaining popularity due to its neutral flavor that won’t overpower your coffee. It’s our personal favorite for a few reasons! With its smooth texture and creamy taste, it’s a great substitute for dairy milk. But the biggest perk of using oat milk is that it can froth and steam, making it a perfect choice for lattes or cappuccinos. If you’re looking to make your own oat milk at home, follow this recipe.
Almond milk
Almond milk is the most popular milk in the United States, especially in cafes. It has a pleasant, nutty flavor and a creamy texture similar to that of regular milk. For this reason, it is a popular choice for people following a vegan diet and those who are allergic or intolerant to dairy. It makes for a great option due to its variety of unsweetened and sweetened options. An extra layer of flavor is added to your coffee with the nuttiness that comes along with almond milk. And when it comes to calories, almond milk is one of the lightest, and healthiest milk alternatives you can choose from!
Soy milk
Soy milk is one of the most well-known plant milks around. It’s accessible and affordable, making it a go-to dairy free option. It’s sweetness mimics the taste of dairy milk and it has a smooth, creamy texture. Soy milk also offers a healthful nutritional profile, including essential omega-3 fatty acids (if fortified) and flavonoids that exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective properties. Soy milk can be used to replicate the foamy texture of dairy milk, but can curdle depending on the acidity and temperature of your coffee.
Cashew milk
Cashew milk has become a favorite due to its creamy texture and slightly sweet taste. It’s nutty flavor isn’t as bitter as other milk alternatives. It has a creamy, rich consistency and is loaded with vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and other beneficial plant compounds. The foam created with cashew milk is less dense, with bubbles that tend to be larger. It may also boost immunity and improve heart, eye, and skin health.
Coconut milk
Coconut milk hasn’t gained the popularity of other alternatives, but is still a great option when considering milk alternatives. It has a thick, creamy texture with a high fat content, making it perfect for foaming and frothing. It is also thought that consumption of coconut milk and other coconut-derived foods may help protect the body from infections and viruses. Plus, the natural sweetness from the coconut can add a nice extra flavor to your cup!
Pea milk
Pea milk is new in the world of plant based milks, and is apparently the next big trend! It has a creamy texture with a smooth and neutral taste. Pea milk is a great source of iron and also has 8g of protein per glass, eight times more than almond milk, plus 40% less sugar and double the calcium levels of cow’s. It also claims to be better for the environment than other dairy alternatives – reportedly needing 100 times less water than almond milk to make. Since it is high in protein, it foams nicely and its silky texture makes great latte art.
Rice milk
Rice milk is a light and refreshing alternative to dairy milk. Rice is an easily digestible grain, making rice milk a fantastic choice for someone who is struggling with a digestive sensitivity or upset, plus rice is gluten-free and fairly non-allergenic, so rice milk works well for almost any special diet. The neutral taste allows the flavor of your coffee to come through. However, rice milk has a thin, watery texture and does not foam well.
Curious as to which type of coffee you should pair with which milk alternative? Check out these recommended pairings!
And remember, dairy-free alternatives are only part of the equation… A great cup of coffee ALWAYS starts with the bean. Sign up for our world tour subscription for the best quality coffee, delivered to your door each month!
