Remember when the only substitute milk you could buy was soya?
Over the last several years the dairy-free market has rocketed, with nearly every nut, bean and pulse being soaked, blended and sieved through a cheesecloth in the hope of crafting the next best milk.
Here we help you choose the best for your needs…
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The best vegan milk for smoothies & porridge
Almond milk
Almond milk is great to use in smoothies and sweeter baking recipes. It makes a fabulous addition to porridge and will usually last longer in the fridge than other milks.
However, it isn’t the best fit for hot drinks. It is liable to splitting in coffee and can be overwhelming when used in tea (unless the tea has nutty, chocolate notes). It’s not ideal for use in savoury cooking as the almond can overwhelm your dish.
Nutritional benefits of almond milk
Almond milk has a hefty serving of calcium, vitamin D (fortified versions) and is naturally high in magnesium and vitamin E. Almond milk is lower in fat than many other plant milks, too.
How to make almond milk
Almond milk is pretty easy to make. All you need is to soak some almonds for a day in filtered water, drain and blend with a litre of fresh water, then sieve using a cheesecloth.
The best vegan milk for hot drinks & desserts
Coconut milk
Coconut has a distinctive flavour, and this sweetness is why it’s a favourite for many. While it’s very different from cow’s milk, this coconut flavour makes it a delicious choice for coffees, teas and all beverages hot or cold. Coconut milk is also beautiful in porridge, and any sweet recipes such as yoghurt and ice-cream.
Coconut milk is not suitable for most savoury dishes (with the exception of curries) because the coconut flavour will be poignant. It’s also not suitable for low-fat cooking.
Nutritional benefits of coconut milk
Rich in fatty acids, coconut milk is extremely hydrating and it contains a high level of vitamin E and manganese (a rare micronutrient).
How to make coconut milk
Easily made using the almond milk method.
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The best vegan milk for savoury baking
Soya milk
Unsweetened soya milk is best used in savoury cooking and baking because it can be a great creamy base for sauces and curdles well for use in baking mixes.
Soya milk is also perfect for any amateur yoghurt makers out there.
It’s not usually great in coffee or tea, as most brands are liable to splitting or curdling; however, barista blends can reduce the likelihood of this occurring.
Nutritional benefits of soya milk
Rich in calcium and most are fortified with vitamin D and B12. Soya milk is also high in protein, making it a great alternative to cow’s milk.
How to make soya milk
Soya milk can be hard to make at home due to the nature of the bean itself. It’s best to buy the pre-made options or use a plant milk maker.
The best vegan milk for hot drinks
Oat milk
Oat milk is many people’s personal favourite when it comes to hot drinks. It is subtle enough not to overwhelm the flavour of your beverage and will almost always hold your coffee and teas in suspension. Oat milk is versatile and you can use it in both sweet and savoury recipes, working very well in baked goods.
I wouldn’t use oat milk in a custard or sweet/savoury sauce because the texture can sometimes be a little chalky. Oat milk is not the best for Matcha lattes or hot chocolates, either.
Nutritional benefits of oat milk
Rich in Beta Glucan to lower cholesterol, oat milk also boasts a high level of calcium (35% of RDA for calcium in one glassful) and vitamin A (10% RDA per glass).
How to make oat milk
Similar method to almond milk and great home results are easy to achieve.
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The best vegan milk for desserts & sweeter baking
Hazelnut & cashew milk
These milks taste phenomenal in hot chocolates, decadent desserts and baking. They really impart a nutty undertone to whatever you decide to add them to. We love using cashew milk in smoothies, too.
We recommend avoiding using these milks in teas because they will overpower the delicate tannins. Not suitable for savoury foods, although cashew milk makes a mean base for a cheese sauce!
Nutritional benefits of hazelnut and cashew milk
Both will be rich in vitamin E, riboflavin and healthy fatty acids. They may be slightly higher in saturated fats than other alternatives and lower in calcium.
How to make cashew milk and hazelnut milk
Cashew milk follows the same process as almond milk. Hazelnut milk may be a little trickier to master.
The best vegan milk for coffee & smoothies
Rice milk
Rice milk works very nicely in coffee as it is not inclined to split. It works well in sweet recipes and makes a delicious smoothie, too.
Not suitable for those who prefer a savoury drink because rice milk is generally very sweet. I would also avoid using rice milk in savoury dishes because of its sweetness.
Nutritional benefits of rice milk
Naturally gluten-free, with higher levels of manganese and selenium than most other milks, and very low in fat. The only issue is that the level of calcium is pretty low in rice milk.
How to make rice milk
Quite difficult to make at home, so I would advise buying this one in.
It’s delicious in a latte, but is oat milk good for you? Find out here…
Featured photo © AtlasStudio via Getty Images
