You’re strolling down the dairy aisle at your local grocery store and spot a new arrival in the oat milk section. There are so many options! What’s the difference between them all? In this article, we’ll decode the different types of oat milk so you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you.
When it comes to oat milk, there are a lot of different factors to consider. Do you want a flavored or plain variety? What do additives even do? Are you interested in trying an oat creamer instead of traditional oat milk? And what about the brands—which one should you choose?
These are all valid questions that we’ll answer in this article. Keep reading to learn more about the different types of oat milk so you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you.
Types Of Oat Milk
There are many different types of oat milk on the market these days. Most brands offer plain oat milk, but you can also find versions with different flavors, consistency, and creaminess. You can also find oat milk fortified with additional vitamins and minerals.
Consistency
One of the significant differences between the different types of oat milk is the consistency. Essentially, oat milk is just two ingredients, water, and oats. But to ship and sell the beverage, manufacturers need to make sure it is fresh when it gets to you, tastes good, and can be used in the way you want. This has led to different types of oat milk consistency.
Some brands offer “original” oat milk, which has a similar consistency to cow’s milk, while others provide “barista” oat milk, which is thicker and foams better for lattes and cappuccinos. You can also find “creamers” made from oat milk, which are thicker still and designed for use in hot drinks like coffee, matcha, or tea.
Oat milk that gets used to hot coffee drinks like lattes needs to taste good but can’t separate, shouldn’t overpower the coffee, and must froth well. Oat milk used in soups should be unsweetened and thick, while the oat milk you put in your smoothie can be more watery and even chocolate flavored.
With all the different options, we broke down the most common types of oat milk in an easy-to-understand cheat sheet.
Types Of Oat Milk & What It Means
| Oat Milk Type | What It Really Means | Creaminess |
|---|---|---|
| Full Fat | More fat is added to max out the creamy texture (About 8-9g of fat per serving) | 5/5 |
| Oat Milk Creamer | Specially formulated to blend well with hot drinks (About 1g of fat per serving) | 5/5 |
| Extra Creamy | (About 3.5-6g of fat per serving) | 4/5 |
| Barista | Has added fat, oils, and/or stabilizers to blend with coffee and froth well. (About 7-8g of fat per serving) | 3.5/5 |
| Original | (About 1.5-7g of fat per serving) | 2/5 |
| Low Fat | Often means free of added oils (About 1g of fat per serving) | 1/5 |
| Unsweetened / Zero Sugar | Minimal to 0 sugars added (About 0.5-4.5g of fat per serving) | 2/5 |
| Shelf-Stable | Often, specific preservatives and packaging allow the unopened oat milk to last for months on a shelf. (No refrigeration needed) | Varies |
| Protein | Has added plant-based protein | 2.5/5 |
Organic vs. Non-Organic
When it comes to oat milk (and all food, really), you’ll want to choose organic whenever possible to avoid exposure to harmful pesticides and herbicides. That being said, organic oats cost more money than non-organic oats, so it’s up to you to decide what trade-off you’re willing to make.
Popular Flavors of Oat Milk
There are a variety of brands that offer different flavors of oat milk available. Flavored oat milk is a great way to add a little something extra to your baking, smoothie, or coffee! Below are our favorite oat milk flavors.
- Original
- Vanilla
- Chocolate
- Dark Chocolate
- Unsweetened
- Pumpkin Spice (Seasonal)
- Maple (Seasonal)
Additives In Oat Milk
There are a variety of oat milk additives used in the market today. These may include sweeteners, flavorings, oils, fats, thickening agents, vitamins and minerals, preservatives, and emulsifiers. Each of these oat milk additives serves a different purpose in terms of taste, texture, performance, and nutrition.
For example, oils and fats help improve oat milk’s texture, while vitamins and minerals help fortify it with essential nutrients. Preservatives help to extend the shelf life of oat milk, while emulsifiers help to provide its smooth and creamy consistency. When choosing an oat milk, you must consider your personal preferences regarding taste and nutrition.
Brands To Look For
Some popular brands available in the US that sell oat milk include Oatly, Califia Farms, Chobani, Planet Oat, Elmhurst, Silk, and So Delicious.
No matter your dietary needs or preferences, there’s an oat milk for everyone! With so many brands on the market selling both plain and flavored varieties, it’s never been easier to find the perfect oat milk for your needs. So why not give it a try today? Your taste buds will thank you!
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