A Guide to the Tastiest Plant-Based Milks
Plant-based milk can be used just like dairy milk: pour it on your cereal, blend it in a fruit smoothie, add to creamy pasta dishes, or gulp it straight from the carton.
Dairy is on the decline.
Whether it’s for personal health, environmental concerns, or ethical reasons, consumers are ditching dairy in favor of plant-based milk alternatives.
Why Ditch Dairy?
For years, the dairy industry has peddled us with the myth that cows’ milk is necessary for people - but as new research continues to emerge, the health risks of consuming dairy are becoming clearer. Just this week, a new study that followed nearly 53,000 women over seven years, found that “one cup of dairy milk per day could increase risk of developing breast cancer by up to 50 percent”.
Milk alternatives are also far better for the planet than dairy - the production of a glass of dairy milk results in three times more greenhouse gas emissions than any plant-based milk, according to researchers at the University of Oxford.
More and more animal lovers are refusing to support the dairy industry, too. Cows are mammals, and just like us, they produce milk to nourish their young. A female cow in the dairy industry is repeatedly inseminated to ensure that she is continuously producing milk. Within hours of giving birth, her calf will typically be removed so that her milk can be taken and sold to humans instead.
Now, as milk sales drop and the vegan milk market continues to boom - sales are expected to exceed $34 billion by 2024 - we’ve compiled a list of our favorite plant-based alternatives:
Oat milk
As the kindest choice for the environment, oat milk is often a winner with those looking to reduce their impact on the planet as much as possible. It is a delicious, creamy alternative to dairy milk, and has more protein and fiber than most other plant-based milk alternatives. With a slightly sweet taste and a frothy consistency, oat milk is perfect for lattes and cappuccinos.
Soy milk
Soy milk is one of the most popular plant-based alternatives to cows milk due to its high protein content and widespread availability. It’s made from soybeans and is often fortified with vitamins and minerals. With a smooth consistency, soy milk is great for drinks, pancakes, or cooking.
Rice milk
Rice milk is a nut-and-gluten-free alternative less likely to cause food allergies compared to other kinds of milk. Sweet in taste but thin in texture, it’s best to use rice milk for cooking and baking rather than in hot drinks. It is low in protein, but also free from cholesterol and saturated fat.
Coconut milk
Sweet, creamy, and full of taste, coconut milk is delicious in a range of recipes from ice-cream and puddings to soups and curries - although we’d recommend using the canned coconut milk for cooking. As it froths up nicely for cappuccinos, it’s also a popular choice in coffee shops.
Almond milk
Almond milk has a mild and nutty flavor and is naturally enriched with several minerals and vitamins, such as vitamin E. Although significantly better for the environment than dairy milk, almond milk is considered to be the least environmentally-friendly choice of all the plant-based milk alternatives, so if you’re ditching cows milk for the planet, it may be best to go with oat or soy milk.
Hazelnut milk
Naturally soy-and-gluten-free, hazelnut milk is a versatile plant-based option that is an excellent source of vitamin E. Stronger than almond milk, with an obvious nutty taste, it is a great choice when adding extra flavor to smoothie bowls or cereals.
Hemp milk
Although not as popular as its plant-milk counterparts, hemp milk has a delicious flavor, often referred to as “earthy”. It is low in carbohydrates and high in fat – but most of those are healthy unsaturated fats. With a slightly nutty taste, we’d recommend using for baking.
Pea milk
Nut-free, soy-free, and gluten-free, pea milk is a great choice for those with allergies - and no, it doesn’t taste like peas! Pea protein is purified and blended together with other ingredients and vitamins, such as B12, to create a tasty beverage, high in protein and calcium.
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