What to Know About the Oat Milk Trend
You have probably seen the chalkboard signs and promoted Instagram ads from your local brewers: “Now serving oat milk!” Let's explore the new trend.
What is Oat Milk and How Can it Be Used?
To put it simply, oat milk is produced by soaking steel cut oats or oat groats (cleaned and toasted oat grains) in water, blending the mixture, then straining it through cheesecloth or an otherwise loosely woven cloth for the concentrate.
How the oats are blended makes a big difference to the final drink: when the oats are blended well, more of them pass through the cloth, giving the milk a denser, creamier body.
Oat milk has a subtle, sweet flavor and a rich essence, which makes it perfect for traditional hot beverages like lattes and mistos. Because the taste is delicate and the body is velvety, it foams to perfection and blends smoothly with the taste of espresso and added syrups. Due to the combination of blended oats and refined thickeners, processed oat milk is notable for not separating in beverages. This makes it the perfect add in for all your favorite iced drinks such iced coffees, lattes, macchiatos and blended refreshments.
The History of Oat Milk
Oat Milk found its opening to the market with the increase of dairy alternative sales. These replacements grew in popularity alongside diet trends and changing consumer preferences. A 2018 review published by the University of Virginia’s GI nutrition program notes that people choose milk alternatives for reasons including allergies, lactose intolerance and plant-based diets, and that some consumers are concerned about hormone content and antibiotic use in dairy cattle. Others point to the environmental impact of dairy farming.
While coconut, almond, and soy remain the heavyweight champions of the market for milk alternatives, oat milk has been around for decades. It grew out of research at Lund University in Sweden, where food scientist Rickard Öste was looking for a milk alternative for people who are lactose intolerant. Today, the world’s most notable supplier of the cereal based option is a brand called Oatly, a Swedish company headquartered out of Malmo. Many alternative milk brands offer their own take on oat milk. Some of the most familiar labels like Califia, Elmhurst, and Pacific have products readily available for consumer needs.
Oat Milk vs. Milk
Oat milk and cow’s milk are quite different products, so the right choice comes down to taste, diet and budget. Oat milk is dairy-free, which is a big part of its appeal for people who avoid dairy, and its mild, slightly sweet flavor and creamy body make it a favorite in coffee. Nutrition varies a lot from brand to brand, since many oat milks are fortified or sweetened, so check the label if that matters to you.
If you’re thinking about plant-based milk for a child, check with your pediatrician first. Price is another difference: oat milk generally costs more than conventional cow’s milk.
It is entirely possible to make oat milk at home, but store-bought versions made with added thickeners tend to blend more smoothly and separate less in coffee drinks.
Recipe: Salted Caramel Instant Frappe with Oat Milk!
If you are interested in seeing for yourself how oat milk’s neutral flavor and creamy texture work with your instant coffee needs, check out this quick and delicious recipe!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of ice
- 1 cup of oat milk
- 1 cup Waka Coffee
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons of caramel sauce
- ½ teaspoon of sea salt
- 2 tablespoons of condensed milk
Instructions:
1. Add all the ingredients into a blending pitcher and blend until everything looks consistent. A common problem with homemade frappes, is their tendency to separate quickly. The condensed milk should help to keep everything nice and solid!
2. Adjust your beverage as needed. If the drink tastes too light or too strong, add more coffee or sweetener as feels necessary
3. Drizzle on a swirl of caramel sauce and some fresh sea salt for toppings and enjoy!
Try the best instant coffee to go with your oat milk. Get it here.
