If you want to start a more plant-based lifestyle, one of the most accessible places to start is with your coffee. Replacing the dairy in your morning joe is an easy way to try out milk alternatives. If you are beginning, you may wonder how you never noticed how many vegan kinds of milk line your grocery store shelves. With plant-based milk on the rise, tons of veteran and new plant-based milks are on the market.
Each of these milk alternatives tastes a little different, and often they each have their distinctive virtues and deficiencies.
The most common problems coffee drinkers face when using dairy-free milks are frothability, separation, and flavor. Oat milk is hands down the best vegan milk to use in a latte because its consistency is the most like dairy milk. Oat milk is also popular because its flavor profile goes very well with coffee without overpowering it. However, you may prefer the nutty almond flavor in your iced coffee. When it comes to taste, ultimately, it is a personal preference, but in our office, we choose oat milk!
These days you’ll find all types of “milks” made out of all different plant-based ingredients (have you tried avocado milk yet?). The two most popular milk substitutes for coffee to date are oat milk and almond milk. We’ve broken down the virtues of each below so you can decide for yourself which plant-based milk to use tomorrow morning.
Oat Milk Vs Almond Milk – Quick Comparison Chart
| Oat Milk | Almond Milk | |
|---|---|---|
| Tastes The Most Like Cow’s Milk | Oat | |
| More Eco Friendly | Oat | |
| Nut Allergy Free | Oat | |
| Gluten-Free | Almond | |
| Higher in Protein | Oat | |
| Higher in Calcium | Almond | |
| Higher in Fiber | Oat | |
| Lower in calories | Almond | |
| Froths The Best | Oat | |
| Creamiest | Oat |
Nutrition
Oat milk is essentially made by blending oats and water. Commercial oat milk products often have a few additives, such as gums and oils, to give it the precise flavor and texture you associate with rich, hearty milk. The resulting beverage is sweet and milky, reasonably similar to cow milk, though it lacks a certain rich punch from the fat in whole milk. Oat milk is a good choice for people looking for a dairy-free option, and, bonus, it is nut free, so there are no concerns about nut allergies.
Compared to the dairy-free milks out there, oat milk has the highest amount of fiber per cup and may even help lower cholesterol. And at 3-4 grams of protein per cup, it beats most of the other alternative milks.
Oat milk is higher in sugar (about 6 grams per cup), but this is due to the natural sugars in oat milk. Most flavored brands of dairy-free milk have added sugars, so check the label if you are watching your sugar intake.
Oat Milk Nutrition Stats
Oat milk is made by blending oats and water and then a straining process. Oat milk is a good source of fiber and is often enhanced with vitamins and minerals.
Here’s what you’ll find in 1 cup of Oat Milk from Planet Oat:
- Calories: 90
- Total Fat: 1.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Total Sugars: 4 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Calcium: 350 mcg
Almond Milk Nutrition Stats
Almond milk is also made by blending almonds and water, then straining to get the milk product. Almond milk is low in protein, about 1 gram per cup, so it’s not the most substantial choice if you are tracking your protein intake. It is lower in calories and is also a good source of magnesium.
These nutrition facts are based on 1 cup of almond milk, according to WebMD.
- Calories: 40
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Sugar: 0 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Calcium: 20%
How Oat Milk and Almond Milk Compare in Coffee
Hot Coffee Drinks
For a hot coffee drink like a latte or cappuccino, you will want your non-dairy milk to be frothed and steamed just like dairy milk to get that rich mouthfeel and Instagram-able latte art. For that, you will want to choose oat milk over almond milk. Oat milk heats and steams the best of all non-dairy milk options.
Oat Milk Is Prefered For Flavor
Most people also prefer the taste of oat milk in hot coffee drinks over almond milk because oat milk does not overpower the coffee flavor. However, if you really enjoy the almond flavor and that enhances your coffee drink, then almond milk is the choice for you!
Oat Milk Holds Up Well Under Heat
Oat milk is most notable for its ability to froth and steam, making it very popular among home baristas and those interested in latte art. It also does not separate like other plant-based milks when heated, which is a huge bonus.
Almond milk tends to separate when heated, so a latte made with almond milk may be very watery underneath the top foam layer.
Oat Milk Is Creamier
The consistency of oat milk is formulated to be very creamy, which pairs well with coffee drinks! Especially the barista editions and the coffee creamers. Almond milk also has barista formulas, which are worth a try.
Cold Coffee Drinks
Oat and almond milk are lovely in a cold brew coffee or iced latte. Both will have a slightly nutty flavor. However, almond milk can sometimes taste bitter if using an unsweetened version.
The Taste
When it comes to taste, everyone has their preferences. Some people like their coffee black, while others prefer it with dairy-free milk or cream. There are even “barista” dairy-free milk editions that can be steamed for lattes and cappuccinos. So, what’s the best way to choose a dairy-free coffee that suits your taste? Try a few different brands and see which one you like the best. Many coffee shops carry multiple options so you can test to see what you want before committing to a carton at home.
Oat Milk Taste In Coffee
Oat milk has a richness and creaminess that makes it ideal for coffee, mainly because more decadent “barista” varieties can be steamed to create lattes with an extra layer of foam on top! Not only do you get all those nutritional benefits without any lactose issues but also superior taste, thanks largely due to their higher fat content, which brings out the complexities in coffee.
Almond Milk Taste In Coffee
Almond milk adds a hint of almond to everything. If you’re a fan, it’s excellent! Almonds mixed with coffee give your drink some richness that isn’t there otherwise.
The Verdict
If you’re looking for the perfect dairy-free milk for your coffee, skip the almond milk and go for oat milk. It tastes better and steams up nicely in your morning cup of joe, making it the ideal choice for all you caffeine addicts out there. Plus, oat milk is much better for the environment than almond milk, so you can feel good about yourself while sipping on your latte. Have you given oat milk a try yet? If not, what are you waiting for? Checkout some of our favorite brands here.
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