If you are searching for a milk alternative for your morning cup of joe, plant based milk for coffee might be something for you to consider. Some people have issues with dairy and others are wanting to be environmentally conscious…whatever the reason, we are going to give you some choices to ponder.
The popularity of plant based milk is rising all over the country. People are switching in their cooking, baking, cereal, and even coffee.
What is Plant Based Milk?
Plant based or vegan milk is made to resemble milk but from plant based sources like soy, almonds, or coconuts. They use nuts, grains, or legumes.
Here’s a List of What We Have Found:
- Soy- been around a while, made from soaking soybeans
- Coconut- adds a light coconut flavor
- Almond- nutty, good for your joe
- Cashew- similar to regular milk, mild taste
- Hazelnut- creamy with a hazelnut flavor
- Macadamia-creamy and smooth
- Hemp-creamy, nutty, slightly earthy
- Oat-not much flavor, great for foaming
- Pea- high in protein, not so great for coffee
- Spelt- sweet, does contain gluten
- Rice-neutral and thin
- Peanut- bold taste
- Banana- thick but sweet
- Walnut- bold flavor
How it Affects Your Coffee
The plant based milk for coffee you pick will need to taste good to you. If not, it will affect how your coffee tastes. First, you want to make sure you are using the freshest coffee beans and brewing them your favorite way to make sure that cup is top notch.
You have to be careful when you use milk (vegan or not) in your coffee because there is a possibility it can curdle if the coffee is too hot.
Soy milk seems to be the best. When the milk foams, this means the proteins are spreading out as they melt. Soy seems to do the best and it also doesn’t seem to affect the taste either.
1. Soy Milk
Soy milk is pretty much a staple of coffee add-ins nowadays. It’s available pretty much everywhere.
It’s smooth and creamy which will leave a neutral taste in your coffee.
2. Coconut Milk
Coconut milk has high fat content which is good for coffee. It will either leave no taste or a slight coconut flavor which can be delicious if you like that sort of thing.
Despite what you may think, the flavor is very subtle and can be a great add-in for your morning joe.
See this recipe for a great DIY coconut creamer.
3. Almond Milk
This one you have to be careful with. Almond milk can curdle in your coffee…which no one wants!! It’s not a deal breaker but if you want to stop this from happening, pour your milk first, then slowly add the coffee.
Even still, it’s a very popular nut milk and has many flavors. I prefer sweetened almond milk because the unsweetened taste bitter to me.
4. Cashew Milk
Cashew milk has a sweet taste that is so slight it won’t overpower your drink. It isn’t as nutty as others either.
5. Hazelnut Milk
Hazelnut Milk can also curdle in your coffee so we suggest pouring it first. It will make your coffee have a nutty flavor but can leave a bitter taste. It’s not one we would choose for coffee unless you buy a hazelnut-flavored creamer that’s meant for coffee. It will be blended most time with coconut cream for this.
6. Macadamia Milk
Macadamia milk is creamy and smooth. It has a fruitier flavor but balances well in your coffee. You will enjoy the creamy texture it adds.
7. Hemp Milk
Hemp milk has a high protein content (good for foam). It will leave a nutty flavor when added to coffee and it mixes well.
8. Oak Milk
Oat milk is buttery and thick like regular milk and is very good in your coffee. It tastes like flax or is similar to shredded wheat cereal. We think you will like this one.
9. Pea Milk
Pea milk is made from the protein in peas and it won’t be green like many would think. It has potassium and is high in protein. It’s smooth and neutral so it won’t affect the taste of your coffee.
10. Spelt Milk
Spelt milk is sweet so you could use this instead of adding sugar but beware if you are staying away from gluten because it does have it in there.
It’s sweet and has caramel notes with a light cereal taste.
11. Rice Milk
Rice milk is very neutral so when you add this in, you can taste the coffee flavors and not the milk. It doesn’t have enough protein to foam and it won’t give your coffee a creamy consistency.
12. Peanut Milk
If you want to be bold, you can give this one a try but it is going to be strong and have a grassy, peanut taste.
13. Banana Milk
Banana milk will make your coffee have a sweet, cinnamon taste that is pretty neutral. It feels sticky and gooey but is worth a try.
14. Walnut Milk
Walnut milk is thick and has a strong flavor that resembles roasted walnuts. Your coffee will help dilute it but you will still experience the bolder nutty flavor. We wouldn’t add it in all the time but would be a nice treat every once in a while.
Conclusion
Even though plant based milk’s aren’t as nutritious as cow’s milk, we still think it’s a great alternative and definatly worth experimenting with. All of the milks we mentioned offer a unique twist to the normal white liquid your pour in your morning joe.
We would try coconut and oat milk first!! Just remember that not everyone’s taste buds are the same so experimentation is key and keeping an open mind!
