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If you’re like most coffee drinkers, you probably enjoy the taste of milk in your coffee. But what if you’re lactose intolerant, vegan, or you’re out of milk and don’t have time to run to the store? What can you use as a good milk substitute for coffee?
In this blog post, we’ll compare the taste and frothability of several common milk substitutes. We’ll also give you some tips on how to make your coffee with these substitutes.
Soy Milk
Soy milk is a very popular milk substitute for coffee. It’s made from soybeans and has a similar consistency to dairy milk. Soy milk is also a good source of protein and calcium.
How Does Soy Milk Affect the Taste of Coffee
When it comes to taste, soy milk is very neutral and won’t affect the taste of your coffee.
Does Soy Milk Froth
It doesn’t froth as well as dairy milk. The coffee’s acidity and heat react badly with a lot of plant-based milks, necessitating some mitigation.
Coffee high in acidity, such as a light roast coffee, as well as adding it in cold can cause plant based milks to curdle. Plant based milks should be warmed up slightly before adding it to your coffee.
Allowing the coffee to cool down slightly before combining can assist, as can selecting a less acidic coffee, such as Lifeboost Coffee or Out of the Grey Coffee.
Almond Milk
Almond milk is another popular milk substitute for coffee drinkers who can’t have dairy. It’s made from almonds and has a creamy consistency. Almond milk is also a good source of calcium and vitamin E.
How Does Almond Milk Affect the Taste of Coffee
Almond milk has a slightly sweet taste that can affect the taste of your coffee. If you don’t want your coffee to be too sweet, you may want to use less almond milk or find a brand that is unsweetened.
Does Almond Milk Froth
Regular almond milk does not froth well. The low protein content means that it does not thicken, and any froth will likely separate. Some milk companies, however, have developed barista blends that make producing a decent flat white a lot easier.
Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is made from the flesh of coconuts and has a creamy consistency similar to dairy milk. Coconut milk is a good source of healthy fats and vitamins.
How Does Coconut Milk Affect the Taste of Coffee
Coconut milk has a slight coconut flavor that can affect the taste of your coffee. If you don’t want your coffee to taste like coconut, you may want to use less coconut milk or find a brand that is unsweetened.
Does Coconut Milk Froth
Coconut milk’s high fat content helps in creating a wonderful froth.
Oat Milk
Oat milk is made from oats and has a creamy consistency similar to dairy milk, which makes it a great milk substitute for coffee. According to Food Network, oat milk might be the best milk substitute for coffee. Oat milk is a good source of fiber and vitamins.
How Does Oat Milk Affect the Taste of Coffee
Oat milk has a slightly sweet taste that can add the taste oats to your coffee.
Does Oat Milk Froth
Oat milk froths pretty well, although it doesn’t produce as much foam as cow’s milk. There are some barista blends available that produce a better foam.
Rice Milk
Rice milk is made from rice and has a watery consistency. Rice milk is a good source of vitamins and minerals. It’s also often sweetened with sugar or rice syrup, so keep that in mind.
How Does Rice Milk Affect the Taste of Coffee
Rice milk has a neutral taste that won’t affect the taste of your coffee.
Does Rice Milk Froth
Rice milk’s watery consistency means it does not lend itself well to frothing.
Hemp Milk
Hemp milk is made from hemp plants. Hemp milk is an excellent source of protein and contains only minute traces of THC, therefore it will not cause a psychoactive response or ‘high.’
How Does Hemp Milk Affect the Taste of Coffee
Hemp milk has a neutral taste that won’t affect the taste of your coffee.
Does Hemp Milk Froth
Hemp milk’s high protein content means it can produce a decent foam, however, it doesn’t froth as well as dairy milk. It closely resembles soy milk in how it reacts.
Cashew Milk
Cashew milk is made from cashews and water. Cashew milk is a good source of vitamins and minerals.
How Does Cashew Milk Affect the Taste of Coffee
Cashew milk has a neutral taste that won’t affect the taste of your coffee. It can be on the sweet side, so if you’re wanting to cut sugar out of your diet, look for an unsweetened version.
Does Cashew Milk Froth
Cashew milk, unfortunately, tends to be too thin and watery to be frothed.
Non-Dairy Creamer
Non-dairy creamers, such as International Delight and Coffee Mate, are made from a variety of different ingredients, including vegetable oils, soy milk, and corn syrup solids.
How Does Non-Dairy Creamer Affect the Taste of Coffee
Non-dairy creamers are available in a variety of different flavors, so it really depends on the brand and type you choose. They can also affect the sweetness of your coffee, so keep that in mind if you’re trying to cut down on sugar.
Does Non-Dairy Creamer Froth
Non-dairy creamer is designed to froth and produce a thick foam. However, it doesn’t always work as well as dairy milk. You may need to experiment with different brands to find one that works best for you.
So, What’s the Best Milk Substitute for Coffee?
It really depends on your preferences. If you’re looking for a frothy latte, you might want to try hemp or oat milk. If you’re watching your sugar intake, cashew milk might be a good choice. And if you’re just looking for something that won’t affect the taste of your coffee, rice milk is a good option.
No matter what you choose, there’s sure to be a milk substitute for coffee out there that’s perfect for you.
Do you have a favorite milk substitute for coffee? Let us know in the comments! And be sure to check out our other blog posts for more coffee tips and tricks.
Happy sipping!