Best Non-Dairy Milk for Coffee

if you have a coffee shop or coffee shop, you know that there are many ways to prepare a good cup of coffee. each customer has different preferences, which you can accommodate by offering a diverse menu. plant-based milk has become extremely popular among vegans and omnivores alike, thanks to a growing interest in plant-based foods and alternatives.

If you want to offer options for vegan customers and lactose intolerant customers, it is important to know what type of non-dairy milk is best in coffee. In this guide, we examine eight alternatives to cow’s milk and the key factors that determine their compatibility with coffee.

Reading: Best milk alternatives for coffee

what makes a non-dairy milk good in coffee?

For each option in this blog, we’ll tell you how the milk alternative affects the taste or texture of your coffee and whether it has a good “stretch.” in coffee terms, stretching is the ability to produce foam for different types of steamed coffee drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos. Protein molecules melt when heated, so the addition of air to hot milk or non-dairy milk causes these proteins to trap air and stretch the milk into foam. Taking these factors into account, you can decide which options are the best for your establishment’s coffee service.

1. oat milk

Oat milk has become one of the most popular non-dairy milks to use in coffee drinks. it is made from a combination of oatmeal, water, and sometimes canola oil or rapeseed oil to emulsify. the result is a surprisingly full-bodied plant-based milk with a richness that rivals full-fat dairy milk.

Oat milk is also appreciated for its fiber content. This non-dairy milk appeals to health-conscious customers because it contains relatively little fat without sacrificing the protein you can get from dairy milk. however, the addition of fiber sets this plant-based milk apart and makes it the perfect choice for customers looking to improve their digestive health.

what does oat milk taste like in coffee

Oat milk has a creamy flavor similar to that of whole milk in coffee. It has a smooth texture that blends easily, which explains why its popularity is growing so quickly.

Can oat milk make coffee foam?

Oat milk can be foamed, although it can produce larger bubbles than cow’s milk due to its lower protein content. oat milk may also take longer to foam and steam than cow’s milk. That said, it can still produce a substantial enough foam to create latte art.

2. coconut milk

Praised for its thick, creamy texture, coconut milk is fast becoming coffee drinkers’ favorite dairy alternative. Coconut milk is high in fat that works well in coffee drinks, and many brands are neutral in flavor with just a hint of coconut flavor. just be sure to use coconut milk packaged in cartons, not cans. canned coconut milk is much thicker and has a stronger coconut flavor.

what does coconut milk taste like in coffee

Many assume that coconut milk has a strong, sweet flavor that only belongs in a tropical fruit drink. Coconut milk actually has a more subtle coconut flavor than other coconut products like shredded coconut. in coffee drinks containing syrups or other flavorings, the slight coconut flavor is masked. in a latte or cappuccino, some sweetness will show up. look for a coconut milk product that has a neutral flavor, or try a barista blend created specifically for coffee.

Coconut milk can make coffee foam?

Coconut milk creates a less dense foam with larger bubbles than cow’s milk.

3. soy milk

Most coffee shops are used to using soy milk in their coffee, as this type of non-dairy milk has been a popular choice for many years. Soymilk is readily available in most areas, and its relatively affordable price makes it an attractive option for many businesses.

Some soy milks curdle in coffee as a reaction to acidity or hot temperature. soy milks without preservatives may be more likely to separate in your customers’ coffee. if you think temperature is the issue, try pouring warm soymilk into your serving cup and slowly adding the coffee.

what does soy milk taste like in coffee

Soy milk has a smooth, creamy texture with a relatively neutral flavor. many brands leave no noticeable aftertaste.

can soy milk foam for coffee?

Soy milk’s good elasticity is one of the reasons it has been a popular alternative to cow’s milk for so long. expert baristas can produce a foam similar to that of cow’s milk when using soy milk.

4. hemp milk

Hemp seed milk is a popular non-dairy milk due to its high protein content. The hemp plant contains traces of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive component of cannabis. While trace amounts are present in the plant, hemp seeds and hemp seed milk do not contain enough THC to cause psychoactive effects. As of December 2018, industrial hemp is legal to grow in the United States, making hemp seed milk more widely available. Previously, it was only legal to import dried hemp seeds to produce hemp milk.

what does hemp seed milk taste like in coffee

has a slight nutty or vegetable flavor with a fine texture that dissolves easily.

can hemp seed milk foam for coffee?

Hemp seed milk evaporates well due to its high protein content. many baristas compare its elasticity to that of soy milk, although the foam of hemp seed milk may dissipate faster.

5. rice milk

Because this dairy alternative is nut and soy free, it is growing in popularity among coffee drinkers with lactose allergies and sensitivities. if you want a hypoallergenic option for your cafeteria, rice milk might be the plant-based milk for you.

what does rice milk taste like in coffee

Rice milk has a very neutral flavor that allows the flavor of your coffee to come through. however, its fine, watery texture does not give the coffee the creamy consistency that some customers want with their drink.

Can rice milk foam for coffee?

rice milk does not contain enough protein to create a satisfying foam in steamed beverages.

6. cashew milk

More and more people are opting for cashew milk due to its creamy texture that mimics cow’s milk in coffee. That said, many baristas argue that homemade cashew milk is better for flavoring and steaming. If you want to incorporate cashew milk into your coffee offerings, weigh the costs and benefits of producing your own.

what does cashew milk taste like in coffee

Cashew milk has a slightly sweet flavor that is less nutty than other nut milks.

can cashew milk foam for coffee?

Cashew milk has a decent stretch when it comes to steaming, but its bubbles tend to be larger, so its foam is less dense than cow’s milk. If you’re not careful, cashew milk can produce a soapy texture when steamed.

7. pea milk

Because pea milk is made from the protein of yellow peas, it’s not the green color you’d expect it to be. Pea milk is relatively high in protein compared to non-dairy alternatives and also contains a good dose of potassium.

what does pea milk taste like in coffee

many people consider pea milk to be the best substitute for cow’s milk in terms of taste. This smooth, neutral plant milk doesn’t taste like peas and won’t leave a plant-based aftertaste in your lattes.

can pea milk foam for coffee?

Like other high-protein milk alternatives, pea milk is good for frothing coffee drinks. Its foam has a silky texture that allows experienced baristas to make latte art.

8. almond milk

Almond milk is one of the most popular nut milks on the non-dairy market. It comes in several flavors, and many manufacturers make both sweetened and unsweetened varieties. however, when it comes to coffee, almond milk doesn’t work as well as other non-dairy milks.

Unfortunately, almond milk can curdle in coffee for the same reasons as soy milk: temperature and acidity. To combat curdling, avoid pouring cold almond milk into very hot coffee. your reaction to the acidity of your coffee may vary between roast types and brands, so be sure to try several options if you want almond milk to be a mainstay on your beverage menu.

what does almond milk taste like in coffee

Almond milk has a nutty flavor that can sometimes taste bitter. your customers may prefer sweetened almond milk in their coffee for a smoother flavor.

can almond milk foam for coffee?

You can create a silky foam with almond milk, but this plant milk tends to separate when heated. latte art made with almond milk may look good on top of the foamy layer of the drink, but could leave a watery drink underneath.

If you want to accommodate vegan and lactose intolerant customers in your coffee shop, it’s important to select a non-dairy milk option that can create delicious coffee beverages. You’ll find that when you compare soy milk to almond milk or oat milk to coconut milk, some options dissolve better than others, and some milks are better suited for frothing lattes and cappuccinos. choose an alternative that won’t detract from your home mixes, and remember to use this blog as a reference when evaluating your options.