Plant-Based Milk for Coffee: Types and Differences

How do you like to drink coffee? Do you like it straight or in the form of a cappuccino? Several years ago, you could notice a kind of trend that encouraged people to give up dairy products in general and cow milk in particular. Time has passed, and the trend has become a usual thing. Some people no longer want to consume cow milk because of the skin issues that occur in its background. Others take care of nature (the production of this particular type of milk cannot be called eco-friendly), and still others suffer from allergies. If you don’t like coffee straight, but you aren’t ready to refuse this aroma drink full of antioxidants, there is a way out. You can choose the best coffee maker under 100 dollars and suitable alternative milk to please yourself with a tasty and useful drink whenever you want. And if you prefer to drink coffee out-of-home, it is not a problem since you can order coffee with plant-based milk almost in every coffee shop. However, it may not be that tasty as you expect because different types differ in taste.

Challenging situation

It is not the easiest task to make a cup of perfect cappuccino with plant-based milk. Each component in cow milk plays a certain key role in creating the drink.

Thus, proteins are responsible for a persistent and delicate froth, while fats create a creamy texture, and lactose gives sweetness.

And everything is much more complicated with alternative milk, so manufacturers try every trick for the sake of a stable froth and a balanced taste, and sometimes they do well. The following types of plant-based milk are most often used for making coffee.

Soy milk

This one can be called the most “classic” plant-based milk. You can find it in almost every coffee shop and on supermarket shelves. It has a neutral flavor with a slight hint of legumes. The composition may vary depending on the manufacturer. For example, gellan gum is added as a stabilizer to milk created specifically for making cappuccino. And even though the drink with soy milk will not taste the same as cow milk, it is quite possible to achieve a good froth and balanced taste.

However, soy milk has a significant disadvantage: it curdles with acidic types of coffee beans. Besides, manufacturers do not recommend heating soy milk above 60 degrees since it can also curdle at higher temperatures. In addition to the classic soy milk, there are flavored options: banana, vanilla, chocolate. 

Coconut milk

Two completely different products are called coconut milk, so be attentive when examining store shelves. The first option is a coconut drink based on rice or soy milk. It has a small content of coconut, about 3-5%, and its texture resembles low-fat cow milk. You can whip it perfectly, but it will be harder to make a balanced, tasty cappuccino because the bright coconut flavor will tip the scale. However, the latte will turn out to be pleasant and tender, so you can give it a try. It is better to choose non-acidic coffee beans so that the coffee taste does not get lost in the milk.

The second type is milk from coconut pulp. Usually, it is sold in cans. It is a high-fat product, 17-19%, used to prepare soups, sauces, and desserts, but you can also make coffee drinks with it. You can serve it with espresso or americano instead of traditional cream.

Almond milk

Even though you can find this milk in the professional series of plant-based milk manufacturers, almond milk is much less popular with baristas than soy and coconut milk. One should be extremely skillful to beat it so that it does not exfoliate. Besides, the froth is too airy and fades away pretty quickly, and when heated, there is a risk of getting unpleasant acidity in the taste. However, you can make a delicious iced-latte based on almond milk. Just pour a portion of espresso into a glass of milk with a couple of ice cubes.

Oat milk

Oat milk has gained popularity in many countries because it is significantly cheaper than any other plant-based milk. And it is not inferior to more expensive analogs in terms of composition and taste, and it coincides with cow milk in terms of fat content used in coffee shops. Besides, oat milk does not require the addition of sugar since a part of the oats’ complex carbohydrates is broken down into glucose during its production, and it gives the milk a pleasant sweetish flavor. Baristas note that oat milk whips well, the froth is quite suitable for latte art, and oat milk goes well with different coffee types due to its neutral taste.

The Swedish brand Oatly is the absolute favorite among plant-based milk suitable for coffee. This oat milk is used all over the world, and it resembles cow milk in the cappuccino. It can boast of a delicate, sweet taste and the perfect texture for latte art. 

Homemade nut milk

If you want to get the maximum benefit from plant-based milk, make homemade milk from nuts. It will contain all the healthy fats and microelements, and it will be possible to adjust the density to your taste during cooking. Many coffee admirers opt for cashew milk for its tender and creamy taste, creating a perfect combination with coffee. However, you can find all possible plant-based milk recipes on the web.