Coffee is a staple beverage that is enjoyed by millions of people around the world. It is no surprise that people are always on the lookout for ways to enhance their coffee-drinking experience. One of the latest trends in the coffee industry is the use of oat milk as a dairy alternative. In this article, we will explore the popularity, taste, frothability, nutritional content, ingredients, and environmental impact of oat milk vs. dairy milk in coffee.
Popularity: Oat Milk vs. Dairy Milk
Oat milk has gained popularity in recent years as a dairy-free alternative to dairy milk. In terms of trends, oat milk has been on the rise in recent years. In fact, some coffee shops now offer oat milk as the default option for their customers.
One reason for oat milk’s rise in popularity is that it is a plant-based option that is suitable for those who are; vegan, lactose intolerant, or have other dietary restrictions. Another reason is that it has a slightly sweet taste that complements coffee and other beverages well.
Dairy milk, on the other hand, has been a popular choice for coffee drinkers for many years. It is a great source of protein, calcium, and other nutrients. Many people enjoy the creamy texture and neutral taste of dairy milk in their coffee.
Dairy milk is still the most popular choice for coffee drinkers. Many coffee shops continue to offer dairy milk as the default option, with plant-based alternatives as options for those who prefer them.
Oat Milk vs. Dairy Milk In Coffee Shops
Coffee shops have responded to the growing demand for dairy-free alternatives by offering oat milk as a dairy alternative. Most coffee shops now carry oat milk, which has become a staple ingredient in many coffee drinks. While dairy milk remains the most popular option, oat milk has become a popular alternative for those who are lactose intolerant or who choose to avoid dairy for other reasons.
One company that has played a significant role in bringing oat milk to coffee shops is Oatly. The Swedish company has been around since the 1990s but has gained significant traction in recent years. Oatly uses a unique method to produce its oat milk, which gives it a creamy texture and a slightly sweet taste that pairs well with coffee.
Oatly’s marketing strategy was focused on getting in front of coffee drinkers and coffee shops. They targeted coffee shops specifically because they recognized that coffee shops are where people try new beverages and develop their tastes.
To do this, Oatly offered coffee shops free samples of their oat milk and encouraged baristas to try it in their coffee drinks. They also provided training and support for baristas on how to work with the milk and created promotional materials to help coffee shops advertise their new oat milk offerings to customers.
Oatly’s marketing efforts paid off, and their oat milk quickly became a popular choice in coffee shops around the world. The company also launched a marketing campaign that focused on the environmental benefits of oat milk compared to dairy milk, which resonated with many consumers who are concerned about sustainability. It is worth noting that Oatly did receive some complaints and backlash around the precise claims in their campaigns (read more here).
Taste In Coffee: Oat Milk vs. Dairy Milk
Taste is subjective, and some people will prefer the taste of dairy milk in their coffee, while others may prefer oat milk. Oat milk has a slightly sweet taste that complements coffee well. It is also thick, like dairy milk, and often gives the coffee a creamier texture. Dairy milk has a more neutral taste that some people prefer in their coffee.
How does Oat Milk vs. Dairy Milk Perform When Heated And Frothed
One of the challenges with using non-dairy milk in coffee is that it may not perform as well as dairy milk when heated and frothed. Dairy milk is known for its ability to create a smooth and creamy foam when heated and frothed. Oat milk can also be heated and frothed, but it may not create as much foam as dairy milk. This can affect the overall texture and aesthetics of the coffee drink.
To combat this, many oat milk brands have created a special line of barista oat milk flavors that have been designed to froth and foam more like dairy milk. These products usually have additional oil in them to aid in frothability; common oils include canola oil or rapeseed oil.
Nutritional Value: Oat Milk vs. Dairy Milk
Oat milk and dairy milk have different nutritional values. Oat milk is lower in calories and fat than whole dairy milk. It is also a good source of fiber and contains vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12. Dairy milk is a great source of; calcium, protein, and vitamin D. However, it is also higher in calories and fat than oat milk.
Nutrition Comparison: Oat Milk vs. 2% Dairy Milk
| Per 1 Cup Serving | (Oatly) Oat Milk | (Maola) 2% Dairy Milk |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 120 | 130 |
| Fat | 5g | 5g |
| Carbs | 16g | 12g |
| Total Sugar | 7g | 12g |
| Protein | 3g | 8g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g | 0g |
Oat Milk vs. Dairy Milk Ingredients
The ingredients in oat milk and dairy milk are quite different. Oat milk is made by blending oats, water, and sometimes other ingredients, such as oil or salt. Dairy milk is made from cow’s milk, which contains water, fat, protein, and other nutrients.
Environmental Impact: Oat Milk vs. Dairy Milk
The environmental impact of oat milk vs. dairy milk is a significant consideration for many consumers who are concerned about sustainability and reducing their carbon footprint.
Dairy milk production is known to have a significant environmental impact, mainly due to the greenhouse gas emissions that result from cow farming, transportation, and processing.
According to a study by the University of Oxford, producing a glass of dairy milk results in almost three times more greenhouse gas emissions than producing the same amount of oat milk. (study)
In addition to greenhouse gas emissions, dairy milk production also contributes to deforestation and water pollution. The production of dairy milk requires vast amounts of land to grow feed for cows, which can lead to deforestation in some areas. The manure from cows can also contaminate water sources, causing damage to local ecosystems and endangering public health.
In contrast, oat milk production has a significantly lower environmental impact. Oat milk is made from oats, which require much less water and land to grow than cows. Additionally, oats are usually grown using fewer pesticides and fertilizers than some other crops, further reducing their environmental impact.
Furthermore, Oatly, one of the most popular brands of oat milk has made a concerted effort to reduce its carbon footprint. They have set ambitious sustainability targets, such as restoring carbon in the communities they source from, improving biodiversity, and boosting farmers’ income by 2029, and have invested in renewable energy sources to power their production facilities.
In summary, the environmental impact of oat milk is significantly lower than that of dairy milk. As consumers become increasingly concerned about sustainability, the popularity of oat milk as an eco-friendly, dairy-free alternative is likely to continue to grow.
Final Thoughts
Oat milk and dairy milk are both popular options for coffee drinkers. Oat milk has become a popular dairy alternative due to its slightly sweet taste and lower environmental impact. However, dairy milk remains the most popular choice for coffee drinkers. Taste, performance when heated and frothed, nutritional value, ingredients, and environmental impact are all factors to consider when choosing between oat milk and dairy milk in coffee.
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