Oat milk. It came; it conquered; now what?
The plant-based milk darling of the supermarket walked onto grocery shelves like it owned the place. And in no time, it did. Soon after, coffee shops started catching on. From lavender oat lattés to a splash of oat milk in your morning joe, you finally had solid vegan milk options. Soy milk, who? Rice milk, what? But here’s the question you’re probably wondering. Why did oat milk take over the world? And what’s next in non-dairy milk?
The Benefits of Oat Milk
Before oat milk, vegans typically had two options when it came to dairy alternatives—soy or rice. Soy milk posed allergy issues for some. Rice milk was super thin and lacking in flavor. Environmentally, oat milk is a great option because it requires less water and land usage than some of the other plant milks. However, the benefits of oat milk go beyond sustainability. Oats are an excellent source of fiber, an aid in lowering cholesterol, and a good option for individuals with allergies to other milk alternatives such as soy, almond, and macadamia. Oat milk is naturally sweet and creamy, blends well with other flavors, and offers a good source of nutrients. But while rice milk and soy milk had graced grocery shelves for long (and we mean long!) before the days when vegans’ only store options were Boca, Daiya, Tofutti, and TVP, oat milk is a relatively recent newcomer.
A Short History of Oat Milk
Back in the 1990s, a Swedish food scientist named Rickard Öste was researching lactose intolerance and sustainability related to food production. At the time, Sweden had an overwhelming amount of oats, thanks to an abundant crop production of the grain. So, what to do with all of those oats? Long vegan story short, Öste later launched Oatly, one of the leading brands in oat milk. But it wasn’t until even later that Oatly took off when the brand decided to target millennials (2012) and offered free samples of its barista formula to specialty coffee shops around the US and UK (2017). Soon, other companies offered their own version of the creamy non-dairy plant milk. Think Planet Oat, Califia Farms, Chobani, Pacific Foods, and others.
Courtesy of Pexels/Polina Tankilevitch
What’s Next in Non-dairy Milk?
So, what now? What’s next in non-dairy milk? Well, from milk tea to milkshakes and quick marts to major coffee chains, plant-based milk is showing up in all the ways. Plus, we are seeing increased flavor options and new protein bases. We’re talking about milk made from peas, pistachios, hemp, and more. Also, many coffee shops are dropping the upcharge for these non-dairy options. We see you Dunkin’! And ice cream shops are offering plant-based scoops crafted from oat milk, coconut milk, and beyond.
Non-dairy Milk Options We Love
First, to understand a little more about the benefits of plant milk, take a look at our article on Why Choose Plant-Based Milk. From flavor options and sustainability practices to nutrients and health benefits, these dairy alternatives have much to offer. Second, let’s just jump in. These are the non-dairy milk options we love:
- Ditching Dairy? Try These 25 Plant-Based Milks Instead
- 15 Barista Milks for Your At-Home Coffee Creations
- From Hemp to Pistachio: Unique Plant-Based Milks You Need to Try
- The Best Oat Milk Brands
- The Best-Tasting Almond Milk Brands
- 5 Simple Unsweetened Dairy-Free Milks You Can Buy at the Grocery Store
