Do you want to go dairy-free and help fight off climate change at the same time? Go for oat milk.
Fact: Among all the available cow’s milk options today, oat milk is considered the most eco-friendly alternative. (*)
Did you know?
The carbon footprint of a 200ml glass of oat milk is only around 0.18 kg of Carbon Dioxide which is considered less than that of soy milk (0.195 kg).
But of course, sustainability shouldn’t be your only consideration. You also need to factor in the taste.
With that said, what does oat milk taste like?
Oat milk is sweet with an earthy twist and a rich, creamy texture. Aside from its fantastic taste and sustainable production, there are plenty of other reasons people are going crazy over oat milk.
Continue reading to know what these are!
You’ll also find out the answers to the following questions:
Are you ready to explore the amazing world of oat milk? If so, let’s get started.
What is Oat Milk Made Of?
Oat milk is a vegan-friendly and lactose-free alternative to dairy milk. It’s prepared by soaking oats in water and milling them to produce a fine consistency. Enzymes are then added to break down the starch further.
After that, the bran solids are filtered out, leaving behind the liquid base called oat milk.
It’s then heat-treated to extend its shelf life. Certain brands also add the following ingredients:
- Flavorings and sweeteners to improve its taste
- Rapeseed oil for higher fat content and better mouth feel
- Vitamins and nutrients to boost its nutritional profile
Learn more:
What Does Oat Milk Taste Like?
Surprise: It actually tastes a lot like cow’s milk, but a bit sweeter and has a slightly earthy aftertaste that oats are known for.
Here’s the best part:
Many people consider oat milk to be one of the best cow’s milk alternatives because of its thick, creamy, and smooth consistency. Instead of flowy and thin, oat milk is more paste-like which delivers a better mouthfeel than most types of milk.
Is Oat Milk Good For You? Why Should You Need?
As we’ve mentioned, there are plenty of other reasons (aside from its sustainable production, fantastic taste, and texture) why you’d love oat milk. Here are some of them:
1. Zero saturated fats
Unlike cow’s milk which is rich in saturated fats, oat milk has zero saturated fats and trans fats, so it can help regulate blood cholesterol levels.
2. High insoluble fiber
Since it comes from oats, oat milk generally has higher amounts of carbohydrates than most types of milk. The good thing is the majority of its carbohydrate content is soluble fiber.
This type of fiber has been linked with lower cholesterol levels, better heart health, regulated blood sugar levels, and weight loss. (*)
3. Excellent protein content
An average cup of oat milk contains about 3 grams of protein. (*) While it’s not the type of milk with the highest protein, its protein content is still higher than most milk alternatives like rice milk, almond milk, coconut milk, and cashew milk.
4. Rich in vitamins
If you’re, a vegan, oat milk might be one of the best milk alternatives for you. This is because most oat milks are fortified with vitamins B2 and B12, which don’t naturally occur in most vegan diets.
Oat Milk Dangers: What are the Potential Drawbacks of Drinking Oat Milk?
Warning: Drinking oat milk does come with a few potential drawbacks. Here they are:
1. High-calorie content
Compared to nut milk (60 calories per cup), oat milk contains a higher amount of calories—around 130 calories per cup.
Did you know?
Among all options for cow’s milk alternatives, coconut milk and almond milk have the lowest calorie content. (*)
2. May not be suitable for gluten-related disorders
Consuming milk made with regular oats may not be the best move for people dealing with gluten-related conditions.
Pro Tip: If you have celiac disease or other similar illnesses, it’s best to look for oat milk certified gluten-free.
How to Choose the Best Oat Milk
You need to know that not all oat milks are created equal. Some store-bought oat milks come with a few ingredients that can do more harm than good. With that said, here are some tips to keep in mind purchasing the best oat milk:
1. Look for oat milk made with organic oats.
The production of regular oats often involves using harmful chemicals like pesticides, paraquat, and glyphosate. To make sure you’re getting toxic-free oat milks, look for ones made of organic oats.
2. Avoid milks with added phosphates.
Most oat milks for baristas use contain phosphates which can help them foam better. But, unfortunately, this additive may cause bone or kidney damage in the long run.
3. Shy away from milk with over-processed oils.
Oils are added to oat milk to boost its fat content. However, some companies add over-processed oils which contain trans fats and saturated fats that can elevate your blood cholesterol levels.
To avoid this, don’t buy oat milks that contain sunflower, canola, and safflower oil.
4. Look for hidden sugar and fats.
Most brands have only oats, water, and salt on their ingredient labels. So naturally, oats have only 0 to 1 g of fat and 0g of sugar per serving.
Despite this, some milk brands have listed more than 5 grams of sugar on their nutritional label.
If this is the case, the milk brand is using a high-carb oat starch base and not whole grain oats.
What are the Different Ways to Use Oat Milk?
Another thing people love about oat milk is its versatility. There are many ways to incorporate it into your regular diet. Here are some amazing examples:
1. Stir in coffee.
Because of its natural sweetness and thick consistency, oat milk has become the cow’s milk alternative of most baristas.
So if you’re planning to make a latte, make sure that you keep a few cartons of oat milk in your pantry to enjoy creamy coffee every morning.
Pro Tip: This would work best with flat whites, cappuccinos, and hot cocoa.
2. Add it to your overnight oats.
Try adding oat milk to your overnight oats so you can enjoy creamy and dairy-free overnight oats the following day.
Pro Tip: You can add this to chia pudding too!
3. Use this on your baked goods.
Do you want to make your baked goods healthier? You just need to replace any dairy products in baked recipes with oat milk following a 1:1 ratio.
4. Mix in your creamy soups.
Oat milk is probably one of the thickest and creamiest types of milk that you can ever use. Because of its unique consistency, it’s a perfect alternative for heavy creams in different types of soups like tomato soup, squash soup, and many more.
Pro Tip: You can use this on thickening curries and pasta sauces.
5. Use it to lighten up gratins.
Do you love gratins? We do too! After all, who can resist those layers of thinly sliced potatoes with cheese and a creamy, savory sauce? No one!
However, using heavy cream can sometimes get a bit too rich. Try swapping heavy cream with oat milk if you want a lighter sauce.
6. Improve mashed potatoes’ texture with oat milk.
For dairy-free yet creamy mashed potato recipes, you can simply add oat milk. Ditch the butter because the milk is enough to achieve the hearty texture you need.
7. Blend it in your smoothies.
Gone are the days when you can’t make smoothies without dairy, thanks to dairy-free milk alternatives like oat milk.
We love most about using oat milk in smoothies because it makes the drinks extra thick and creamy.
Pro Tip: In fact, it might make it too thick. You can always turn it into a smoothie bowl if this is the case!
8. Pour it over your cereal.
Yes, you can now enjoy cereal dairy-free! Instead of pouring cow’s milk over your cereal, use oat milk instead. You can enjoy its naturally sweet taste and thick texture without the calories and unwanted fats.
The Bottom Line
What does oat milk taste like? To give you a better idea, it’s sweeter than cow’s milk with an earthy oat-like aftertaste. On the other hand, its texture is similar to heavy cream—thick, creamy, and great mouthfeel.
Oats are naturally nutritious as they are high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. Just simply follow the buying tips we’ve shared so you can find the best oat milk for your health.
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