Oat milk is becoming a popular choice for coffee drinkers, but what is the best type of oat milk to use in your coffee? Some people prefer the thinner consistency of light oat milk, while others find it doesn’t have enough flavor.
A medium or thick oat milk will give you more body, more froth, and more flavor. No matter your preference, there is a type of oat milk perfect for your coffee.
So, which one should you choose? Read on to find out!
What Is Oat Milk, And Where Does It Come From?
Oat milk is a type of dairy-free milk made from oats and water. Oats are blended with water and fortified with vitamins and minerals to create a creamy liquid that resembles milk in appearance and texture.
Oat milk can be used in place of cow’s milk in many recipes, and it also makes a great dairy-free alternative for those who are lactose intolerant or allergic to cow’s milk. While oat milk is commonly found in health food stores, it is now becoming widely available in grocery stores.
Oat milk was developed by food scientists in Sweden in the 1990s for people with dairy allergies. It has since grown in popularity and is now widely available in most coffee shops.
Best Oat Milk Brands For Coffee Drinks
Oatly (Full Fat or Barista Blend)
Oatly oat milk is known for its ability to froth. This effect was created by adding oils into the oat milk customize its consistency.
One experienced coffee drinker commented about Oatly Full Fat on Reddit,
“Delicious, full-bodied flavor that cuts well for everything from hot capps to iced vanilla lattes to even breakfast cereal. My go-to for this milk is a 1:1 cortado, highlights the bean you use while also having the delicious oat milk flavor. It steams pretty nice as well, and I’ve gotten very solid art from this.”
Reddit User
Pacific Barista Series
The Pacific oat milk has a more robust nut flavor than some other brands, which works well in iced coffee drinks.
Chobani Extra Creamy
Not only does Chobani sell a popular greek yogurt, but they also have a solid oat milk for coffee and lattes. This oat milk steams very well, and its mild flavor is excellent with matcha or coffee.
Simple Truth Organic
This oat milk is creamy, understated, and steams decently. It is organic and only has three ingredients! It does not have a strong oat flavor, so it pairs well with many things. It is a little watery compared to other brands, but it still works well in coffee (not so much tea).
Califia Farms Oat Barista Blend
The Califia Farms Barista Blend is thick and has a similar consistency to dairy milk. It froths well and is great for latte art!
One reviewer commented:
“This is the best tasting “milk” I have ever had. Better than almond milk. So creamy and yummy. Goes great with coffee.
Ps it is long life milk and doesn’t require a fridge until opened.”
Sarika M.
Planet Oat Extra Creamy
The texture is perfect, and it has a great taste! You can taste hints of nuts in this creamy goodness. This works well in hot drinks; the extra creamy oat milk froths very well for hot beverages, and the flavor pairs nicely with coffee.
Best Oat Milk For Frothing
For those who love drinking oat milk lattes, the disappointment of it not holding its froth can be a real downer.
We recommend the Oatly oat milk brand, either the Full Fat or Barista Edition, as our first pick for frothing. Both of these oat milks work very well. The Barista edition was explicitly created for frothing, steaming, and making latte art. It is a little pricier than the regular full-fat oat milk. The full-fat froths and steams very nicely, it is a great choice if you are price shopping. They will both taste great! Get the rest of our brand recommendations and ways to froth oat milk here.
Oat Milk Creamer vs. Oat Milk In Coffee
The Difference Is In The Texture
The main difference between oat milk and oat milk creamer is the texture. The oat milk (regular & barista blend) is textured to be like milk, while the oat milk creamer is textured to resemble dairy cream. Both of these textures are created using additives.
Oat milk creamers tend to be sweeter and richer. We recommend using oat milk for espresso-based drinks and oat milk creamer in coffee, but try both and pick your favorite!
Which Coffee Shops Offer Oat Milk?
Oat milk is in high demand at coffee shops, and for a good reason! Not only is oat milk a delicious alternative to dairy or nut milk, but it’s also barista-approved, which means you can enjoy all of the thick, creaminess that dairy milk provides without the dairy! It will make your coffee experience that much better.
Popular coffee shops like Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, and Peet’s Coffee offer oat milk. Some have even replaced dairy with oat milk as their default, like Blue Bottle!
We have compiled a list of popular coffee shops with oat milk; check it out here!
If you’re looking for a dairy-free or vegan option, ask your barista for oat milk next time you order coffee. You won’t be disappointed!
So whether you are looking for a delicious new way to enjoy your morning coffee or want to switch up your usual dairy-free milk, oat milk is definitely worth giving a try.
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