If you’re like me, you’re always on the lookout for new and exciting plant-based milk alternatives. Oat milk is one that’s been gaining popularity lately, but where does it come from? And is it worth trying?
Developed in Sweden by Rickard Öste, this plant-based beverage first appeared on store shelves in the 1990s. Oat milk is created by blending together oats and water and then straining out any remaining oat pieces, leaving you with a creamy, delicious beverage.
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at oat milk and explore its benefits. So keep reading to find out more!
Who First Thought Of Oat Milk?
In the 1990s, a Swedish food scientist named Rickard Öste created oat milk with his brother, Bjorn Öste, making it a much younger plant-based drink than its well-known counterparts (like almond milk and soy milk). They did this to help people with dairy allergies enjoy the same food options as those without dairy allergies without sacrificing taste or nutrition.
The Östes then went on to found the popular oat milk brand, Oatly.
“Our founders just figured, OK, if vast majority of the world population are intolerant to milk why don’t we make something that is actually designed for human beings not baby cows?” Oatly CEO Toni Petersson told CNBC in an interview.
It took Öste until 2017 before his idea became popular enough for many American brands to start selling them too. Nowadays, there are plenty of brands selling oat milk in America. In 2021 Oatly was the #2 best-selling milk substitute brand in the United States (#1 being Planet Oat) according to Statista.
How Oat Milk Is Made
The production of oat milk is similar to that of most other plant milks.
Unprocessed cereal grains, like oats, are indigestible with their hard outer shells, which need to be removed before transforming into a liquid. So the oat grains get milled to break apart their outer hull.
The grains are mixed with water and ground until they form a thick liquid. The liquid is separated from any remaining solid pieces.
Next, other ingredients are added, like fortifying vitamins and minerals (typically vitamins; D, A, B12, riboflavin, and calcium), flavorings, sweeteners, and oils. Additional treatments like pasteurization may be used to extend the milk’s shelf life.
Read more about making oat milk here.
Growing Popularity
The oat milk market in America is on the rise. A study by The Good Food Institute found that 15% of milk retail sales are due to plant-based milk, with almond milk in the first place and oat milk in second place.
According to Market Analysis Report, oat milk is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.2% from 2020 to 2028.
The demand for plant-based dairy alternatives is rising as consumers seek healthier options. With an increasing vegan population and people becoming more health conscious, manufacturers have responded by producing non-dairy milk beverages which cater specifically to those who are allergic or sensitive to dairy products.
Additionally, with the increased use of antibiotics in animal breeding, many people prefer plant-based beverages like oat milk over cow milk. This is because this newer drink has emerged as a cleaner and safer option for long-term consumption.
Better For The Environment
According to Oatly, oat milk is much better for the environment than dairy milk. They report that, on average, a liter of their product consumed in place of cow’s milk results in 80% less greenhouse gas emissions and 79 percent less land usage. It also reduces energy consumption by 60%.
Easily Accessible
Oat milk is readily available in most grocery stores and coffee shops, making it an easy choice for those looking for an alternative to dairy milk.
Oat Milk vs. Cow’s Milk
Oat milk may be the perfect solution if you’re looking for a healthier alternative to cow’s milk. Oat milk is lower in cholesterol and saturated fat than cow’s milk and contains more protein than other non-dairy beverages!
Oat milk contains more sugar than other milk because it is created from a carbohydrate that breaks down into simple sugars. This makes it slightly higher in calories vs. other nut milks. On the other hand, Many people enjoy drinking oat milk because it fills them up faster. The additional carbohydrates help satisfy hunger pangs by working slowly into our systems.
So there you have it, oat milk is a healthy alternative to dairy milk that was developed by two brothers out of necessity and is now massively popular. Oat milk is taking over grocery stores and coffee shops worldwide. If you’re looking for a delicious, nutritious milk substitute, oat milk should be at the top of your list!
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