Almond, Soy, Oat, Hemp: 6 Milk Varieties That Work Well In Coffee Drinks
Choosing which kind of milk to use as the base for your coffee drink is an important decision because it has a massive impact on the overall flavour and texture of the beverage. Whole, skimmed, almond, soy, oat – each type of milk has a complex and varied impact on the final taste of your coffee drink, depending on how well the milk froths, its natural sweetness, and its fat content and consistency.
Elaborated below are the different types of milk that can be used in coffee drinks.
Whole Milk
Whole milk is the traditional and most popular choice when it comes to coffee, especially lattes, cappuccinos, and flat whites. Its fat content (around 3.5%) gives it a fuller, creamier texture which pairs excellently with the strong flavours of espresso.
Whole milk also froths really well, so it's a good option to use if you want to create a smooth, velvety foam for your coffee creations.
The milk's natural sweetness is also effective in balancing out the bitterness of coffee.
Skimmed Milk
Skimmed milk usually contains very little fat, which makes it the lighter dairy option to use in a coffee beverage. It produces a thinner, less creamier coffee.
Skimmed milk also froths well, producing a light and airy foam, but coffee drinks that use skimmed milk as the base won’t have the same smooth texture as the ones made with whole or semi-skimmed milk.
The lack of fat in the milk can also result in the coffee tasting a little sharp or more bitter than normal for some.
Almond Milk
Almond milk is a popular dairy-free alternative that can be used in coffee beverages. It has a thinner texture compared to that of whole milk or oat milk and its (slightly) nutty flavour works well in certain coffee drinks such as iced coffees.
However almond milk does not froth as easily as other milks. Some almond milk brands are formulated specifically for barista use, which means they’re better at creating foam for hot drinks.
However, almond milk can sometimes separate when heated, so it’s best to choose a high-quality brand or use it in cold drinks.
Oat Milk
Oat milk has quickly become a favourite among plant-based milk options for coffee. It’s naturally creamy and has a mild, slightly sweet flavour that complements coffee without overpowering it.
Oat milk froths well, making it a good choice for lattes and cappuccinos and the milk's rich texture makes for a good substitute for whole milk.
Many coffee drinkers prefer oat milk because of its neutral taste and ability to blend extremely well with espresso.
Soy Milk
Soy milk is one of the OG plant-based alternatives for milk and has been for years. It has a thicker consistency and its flavour is more neutral compared to that of almond milk, making it a solid option for coffee drinks.
Soy milk froths well, creating a decent foam for lattes and cappuccinos. However, it can curdle when added to very hot coffee or when mixed with highly acidic brews.
Barista-style soy milk is often stabilised to prevent this from happening, so it’s worth seeking out if you want a reliable milk alternative.
Hemp Milk
Although less common, Hemp milk has steadily been growing in popularity as a dairy-free option for milk. It has a slightly nutty and rich earthy flavour that pairs excellently with coffee. Plus, its texture is rich enough to create a good foam for lattes and cappuccinos.
