Who can say no to a creamy cup of coffee in the morning? We've already shared five cool ingredients you can add to level up your coffee. (Who knew a dash of salt in your cup of Joe could make it so much tastier?) But today, we're going to cover non-dairy milk alternatives and why you should consider switching to them.
Why Vegan Milk?
Simple: It's a more environmentally-friendly choice. As it stands, the consumption of dairy milk is unsustainable. One dairy cow can produce as much as 17 gallons of manure and urine in a single day. If not properly managed, the waste emits greenhouse gasses that pollute the environment. Moreover, it takes a whopping 144 gallons of water to produce a gallon of milk, and most of it goes to growing feed for the cattle. Given this, it's clear that the dairy industry does more harm than good to the environment, and the severity of its effects will only worsen as the demand for dairy grows.
Additionally, recent studies have cast doubts on the supposed health benefits of dairy milk. One study suggests that increased milk consumption heightens the chance of bone fracture and mortality. This can be surprising to some, as dairy milk is often advertised as good for your bones.
Finally, there's the conversation on lactose intolerance. Everyone should be able to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee, regardless of their allergies and intolerances. Vegan milk is the solution to that. This is something to consider if you're making coffee for yourself or even starting your own café. Whether you'll be running a traditional coffeehouse, a mobile cart, or even an online delivery service, it's important to be able to market your coffee well and reach as many people as possible — which includes the approximately 30 million Americans who suffer from some degree of lactose intolerance. Accessibility is essential, even in the coffee industry!
With that said, here are five great vegan milk alternatives you can use for your next cup of coffee:
1. Soy Milk
Soy milk is the most well-known non-dairy alternative — one commonly found in coffee shops around the world. It has a smooth and creamy texture without any aftertaste, making it an excellent choice. The only downside is that it can curdle when mixed with hot coffee.
2. Nut Milk
There's a wide variety of nut milk to choose from — almond, macadamia, hazelnut, and more. Though they don't have a lot of protein, they're a healthier alternative to cow's milk. Most variations are packed with Vitamin D or E. Plus, they're low in calories. But one downside is that it isn't as creamy as other vegan milk alternatives.
3. Rice Milk
Dairy-free, nut-free, and soy-free — rice milk is one of the best options for coffee lovers with allergies and intolerances. It has a neutral taste that enhances the flavor of coffee, but, like nut milk, it might not give your coffee a creamy consistency.
4. Pea Milk
This vegan milk alternative is made from the protein of yellow peas, giving it high protein content and a healthy dose of potassium. While it's still not quite as creamy as dairy milk, it has a smooth flavor, without any aftertaste.
5. Oat Milk
Oat milk is very quickly becoming a favorite among vegan alternatives. It's high in protein and fiber, but also very low in fat. Best of all, it has a creaminess that rivals dairy milk.
Those were five vegan and environmentally friendly milk options for you! Ready to try them out? Make sure to pair them with quality coffee — we've got you covered on that!
Written by: Jinky Baylin
