{"id":221167,"date":"2020-03-18T07:30:07","date_gmt":"2020-03-18T11:30:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/formnutrition.com\/us\/?p=221167"},"modified":"2021-01-28T06:14:50","modified_gmt":"2021-01-28T11:14:50","slug":"best-non-dairy-milk-for-coffee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/formnutrition.com\/us\/inform\/best-non-dairy-milk-for-coffee\/","title":{"rendered":"Which Non-Dairy Milk Works Best With Your Morning Coffee?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whether you want to cut down on the amount of lactose in your diet, go full vegan or just try something different in your morning coffee, there are a whole host of reasons<\/a> to switch out the dairy in your reusable mug the next time you order.<\/p>\n

Luckily we\u2019re currently living in the golden age of non-dairy and plant-based milks<\/a>, all vying for your attention on the barista\u2019s chalkboard. Of course, personal taste is a factor – after all, if you\u2019re the kind of person who leaves all the Bounties in the bottom of the Celebrations box, you\u2019re probably not going to hanker after a coconut latte.<\/p>\n

But beyond that, what should you look out for when ordering a coffee with non-dairy or plant-based milk? And are there certain rules for which non-dairy milk works with which coffee?<\/p>\n

We asked expert Sam Trevethyen, head of coffee at London cafe-bar chain Grind<\/a>, to help answer your burning questions. Just remember to let that dairy-free almond milk mocha cool down before you take a sip.<\/p>\n

\"plant-based<\/p>\n

Plant-Based vs. Dairy Milk, When Added to Coffee<\/h2>\n

\u201cDairy milk is like a spin doctor when it comes to coffee,\u201d says Trevethyen, \u201cit smooths out any bitterness.\u201d<\/p>\n

That natural adeptness at smoothing out the acidity in coffee is down to the structure of dairy milk itself – the main thing to bear in mind if you\u2019re looking for an alternative. The key difference between dairy milk and non-dairy milk is that dairy milk is fat suspended in water, but plant milk isn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

While most nuts and plants have naturally occurring fats, when mixed with water they do not form one unified liquid naturally (a bit like oil and vinegar), so historically they tended to split back into their separate parts when added to hot coffee. A notable exception is coconut milk, which is more like a cream in its natural form.<\/p>\n

How to Stop Non-Dairy Milk Curdling in Coffee<\/h2>\n

This is why you\u2019ll see special \u2018barista\u2019 nut milks which are made for use in cafes. With these, oils, acidity regulators and stabilisers have been added to the liquid to ensure they don\u2019t split. Sugar is also often added to balance out any bitterness in the raw ingredients (most notably, with soy), something worth noting if you are staying away from dairy for health reasons.<\/p>\n

The result is a liquid that fits the flavour profile of coffee much better and will also steam to the correct texture for the foam. So whether you\u2019re making a macchiato on your machine at home or ordering one on the way to your desk, make sure a plant milk specifically designed for coffee professionals is being used. \u201cAfter that,\u201d says Trevethyen, \u201call nut milks are effectively equal and it\u2019s down to personal taste – but there are a few pros and cons for each.\u201d<\/p>\n

Here, Trevethyen breaks down what you should think about when ordering coffee with non-dairy and plant-based milk and which he would recommend for use at home.<\/p>\n

The Best Non-Dairy and Plant-Based Milks<\/h2>\n

Oat Milk<\/h3>\n

Best for:<\/strong> Oat milk is a great all-rounder; it works for all types of coffee and steams nicely.<\/p>\n

What to think about:<\/strong> This one\u2019s probably the least environmentally-intensive of the four plant-based milks to produce. Oats can be grown pretty much anywhere in the world, so you can find excellent barista versions that are produced locally here in the UK and therefore reducing the carbon footprint. It also uses the least amount of water in the production process compared to the other three.<\/p>\n

Recommended brand:<\/strong> Minor Figures Oat Milk, \u00a312.90 for 6 litres<\/a><\/p>\n

Almond Milk<\/h3>\n

Best for:<\/strong> Almonds are naturally bitter, so barista versions of this nut milk tend to be the most heavily sweetened of all the dairy alternatives. Because of this sweetness, it tends to work best with more diluted drinks where you already have sweetness present. So it\u2019s great for iced coffee or any drink that might use a flavoured syrup, such as a mocha.<\/p>\n

What to think about:<\/strong> While less than dairy, almond milk takes on far more water to make than either oat or soy. According to the BBC<\/a>, a single glass of almond milk requires 74 litres (or 130 pints) of water to produce – that\u2019s more than an average shower.<\/p>\n

Considering a lot of almonds are grown in California, which is currently in its eighth year of a drought, this isn\u2019t great for the planet. And that\u2019s all before you consider the almond milk is all generally made there, before being flown here to the UK to sit on our supermarket shelves.<\/p>\n

Recommended:<\/strong> Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Barista Blend, \u00a31.26 for 1 litre<\/a><\/p>\n