What is Plant-Based Milk?
Plant-based milk continues to rise in popularity as more conscious consumers seek out healthier, more sustainable non-dairy milk options. Plant-based milks are derived from various types of plants – these include nuts like almonds and cashews; grains such as oats and rice; and legumes including soybeans and peas. But when it comes to determining the best plant-based milk for coffee and tea, MYOM Original Oat stands in a class of its own. What sets it apart from traditional oat and other plant milks is that MYOM is an innovative oat milk premix for making fresh oat milk at home - on demand. This distinction is key for obtaining superior tasting results because MYOM is made fresh every time, just when you need it. That fresh taste makes all the difference when incorporating with coffee or tea or just drinking it on its own.
Four Best Plant Milk Options for Coffee and Tea
Plant-based milk has gone mainstream thanks to growing trends around healthy eating and alternatives to dairy. For tea and coffee aficionados looking to experiment with more sustainable ingredients, plant-based milk offers much to savour. They provide a wealth of nutritional benefits that dairy milk lacks, including being higher in vitamins and minerals like vitamin B12, iron, and calcium. Plant milks are also vegan by nature, allowing more people to enjoy them in hot beverages. And opting for plant-based ingredients is an easy way to reduce your environmental impact.
While the specific attributes vary across plant milks, most share similar qualities. For instance, their slightly thicker consistency gives more structure and the natural sweetness of varieties like soy, almond and oat milk compliments the bitter notes of coffee and tea.
One big health advantage of using plant milk in tea and coffee is that they contain less saturated fat and bad cholesterol compared to dairy milk. This part is especially attractive to people who care about their heart health or who need to keep an eye on their cholesterol. Also, many plant-based milks are fortified with important nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D and B12.
What Makes Soy Milk Different?
Soy milk offers a creamy texture, high nutritional value, and a significant lack of cholesterol, making it an attractive option for many. Soy milk's rich protein content, alongside essential nutrients like calcium and vitamin D, makes it a healthy contender in the world of beverages. But how do these components interact with the special brews that we love?
The Impact of Soy Milk on Tea
Adding soy milk to your tea can soften bitter notes and mitigate astringency, making it a popular choice for those who seek a milder flavour profile. It also offers a welcome creaminess to varieties like Earl Grey or Darjeeling, enhancing the overall mouthfeel of these lighter teas.
Soy Milk in Coffee: Latte or Bust
The rich, nutty taste of soy can complement the boldness of coffee, especially when crafted into popular beverages like lattes or cappuccinos. The steaming and frothing properties of soy milk make it an excellent candidate for latte art, which has contributed to its growing affinity with coffee enthusiasts.
While soy milk can certainly add a creamy depth to your cup of coffee, it's crucial to consider the brand and quality of the soy milk. The taste of soy can be subtly sweet or nutty, and it's essential to choose a soy milk that enhances coffee's natural flavours.
The Benefits of Soy Milk
Soy milk's high protein and nutrient content can turn a simple cup of coffee or tea into a more nutritionally balanced beverage. Its low cholesterol profile and absence of lactose also make it a favourable option for those with dietary restrictions or health concerns. Soy milk is often fortified with additional nutrients, including calcium and vitamin D, which can contribute to your daily intake.
The Drawbacks of Soy Milk
While soy milk brings positive attributes to the table, there are a few drawbacks to consider. Some people might be sensitive or allergic to soy, which can lead to adverse reactions.
There are also concerns regarding the environmental impact of soy cultivation, as well as the prevalence of genetically modified soybeans in the production of soy milk. It's important to choose organic or non-GMO options to alleviate these concerns, but this may come at a higher price.
The Soy Milk Verdict
The integration of soy milk into our daily tea and coffee rituals is more than a matter of personal taste, whether soy milk is suitable for your beverage is a personal call. The decision may hinge on the flavour profile, the nutritional value, or the ethical stand you take.
Almond Milk: A Good Blend with Tea and Coffee?
In the dynamic world of beverages, almond milk has certainly made a splash. Marketed as the wholesome alternative to dairy, it has found a loyal following among the health-conscious, the lactose intolerant, and those with a preference for plant-based diets. Almond milk can add a creamy element that dairy often provides, but with a distinct nutty undertone. So, how does almond milk fare when it meets the delicate taste of tea or the robust flavour of coffee?
The Almond Milk Ascent
As more people opt for plant-based diets or seek alternatives to cow's milk due to health or ethical reasons, almond milk has become a good option. It offers a smooth texture, a subtle nutty flavour, and a nutritional profile that's less calorie-dense than cow’s milk, and often supplemented with calcium and vitamins.
Does It Blend?
How well almond milk blends with your drink of choice is a personal matter. Tea's subtle, often floral notes can easily be overwhelmed, but certain blends and brewing methods can ensure almond milk enhances rather than overshadows. On the other hand, coffee's boldness can sometimes benefit from almond milk’s lighter profile. It mutes the bitter notes, making for a smooth and mellow cup.
Nutrition
Almond milk is low in fat, particularly the saturated kind, and it’s free from dietary cholesterol, something dairy can't claim. Almond milk is also a great source of vitamin E, which acts as an antioxidant and supports immune function. However, it’s important to consider that store-bought almond milk can be high in sugar and low in protein.
For Tea Health Nuts
In a matcha, almond milk can provide a creamy base to complement the grassy notes. For herbal teas, replacing cow's milk with almond milk is often perceived as a better fit, especially when trying to avoid the heavy richness that full-fat dairy brings. But it's not all sunshine and nuts - the added sugars and thickeners in some almond milk brands can muddle the overall health benefits associated with a nice cup of tea.
Coffee Conundrum
In the coffee realm, almond milk's suitability is less about health and more about taste. It's a common pivot for those aiming to reduce dairy consumption without sacrificing the creamy mouthfeel that steamed milk provides in lattes and cappuccinos. But the high level of processing in almond milk can lead some coffee aficionados to question if they're trading robustness for health claims.
Sustainability and Almond Milk
Sustainability is a concern for anyone looking to make healthier choices for themselves and the planet. Almond milk has faced criticism due to the significant water usage in almond cultivation, particularly in regions prone to drought.
The Almond Milk Verdict
In conclusion, almond milk can indeed be a brew-tiful blend with tea and coffee for many reasons, primarily personal taste, dietary preferences, and a growing movement towards plant-based living. Whether you are a purist, an experimenter, or somewhere in between, this nutty alternative has opened a world of possibilities for hot beverages. As with any tea and coffee ingredient, the key to a satisfying cup lies in the balance, and with almond milk, that balance is slightly nutty.
Coconut Milk: A Match Made in Heaven for Tea and Coffee?
As conversations on ethical sourcing, dietary preferences, and culinary convergence deepen, coconut milk stands out as a versatile non-dairy alternative that appeals to both the lactose-intolerant and the coconut aficionado. Here we explore this creamy milk’s role in cultivating the perfect cup, tailored to the palettes of today's diverse consumers.
Nutrition
What Makes Coconut Milk A Popular Choice?
Coconut milk is renowned for its multitude of health benefits that range from supporting heart health to boosting the immune system. With its high medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) content, which are known for their ability to be immediately used for energy or converted into ketones, coconut milk is a staple for many on the ketogenic diet. Beyond dietary regimens, it's lauded for its role in maintaining healthy skin, hair, and digestion due to its high nutrient density.
A Dairy-Free Delight That Doesn't Skimp on Taste
One of the most compelling reasons to incorporate coconut milk into your daily cup is its rich, creamy texture and naturally sweet flavour. This non-dairy alternative complements the robust profiles of teas and coffees, adding a depth that can often rival dairy milk. For those seeking a lush, velvety finish to their cup, the addition of coconut milk may be just the right touch.
Making the Environment a Priority: Choosing Ethical Sourcing
Coconut milk, when ethically and responsibly sourced, aligns with a growing consumer interest in the provenance of their food. Carefully choose brands that support fair trade practices and advocate for sustainable farming methods. Opting for ethically sourced coconut milk often comes with a price premium. This may deter some from making it their regular go-to choice.
The Drawbacks of Coconut Milk
A Closer Look at Nutritional Values
Despite its healthful reputation, it's crucial to be mindful of the caloric load that coconut milk brings to your cup. Unlike almond milk or soy milk, which are relatively low in calories, coconut milk's richness can significantly raise the energy content of your beverage.
Flavour: Not Every Cup Suits Coconut
While coconut milk can be a delightful addition to many drinks, its assertive taste may not be universally appealing. Tea and coffee connoisseurs who value the inherent subtleties of their brews may find that coconut milk overpowers these delicate notes.
Coffee and Coconut: Brewing Up A Buzz
In the realm of coffee, coconut milk has become a darling among those seeking a luscious, non-dairy latte. Its ability to foam makes it an excellent choice for cappuccinos and lattes, providing a creamy canvas for latte art. When combined with single-origin coffees, especially those with notes of chocolate and nuts, coconut milk harmonizes superbly, creating a subtly sweet brew with a luxuriant mouthfeel.
The Coconut Milk Verdict
For those who wish to add a tropical note to their morning brew or a creamy richness to their tea-time, coconut milk stands as a compelling choice. Whether enjoyed for its healthful properties, luscious texture, or ethical sourcing, coconut milk has carved a niche in the vibrant tapestry of modern beverage culture.
Is Oat Milk the Champion in Tea and Coffee?
In the ever-evolving landscape of non-dairy milks, oat milk has emerged as the heavyweight. It's taken cafe menus by storm, becoming the dairy substitute of choice for lovers of lattes, cappuccinos, and everything in between. But when it comes to the quintessential beverages we reach for in the morning — tea and coffee — is it the all-around winner?
The Rise of Oat Milk
Oat milk surged into the spotlight in the last few years, challenging the dominance of almond, soy, and even the older coconut milk in the plant-based drink market. This momentum is attributed to oat milk's naturally sweet flavour, its ability to froth into a smooth microfoam — essential for cafe-style beverages — and its relatively low environmental impact compared to other dairy alternatives.
Tea and Oat Milk: A Surprisingly Complementary Blend
While traditionally, tea has been savoured with a splash of dairy, the introduction of oat milk adds a novel layer to its brewing culture. Oat milk’s creaminess is a welcome balance to the spiciness of a chai or the boldness of an English Breakfast. The naturally sweet undertone of oats marries well with several traditional tea flavours, eliminating the need for additional sweeteners.
Coffee and Oat Milk: Frothed or Flat, It's a Hit
The coffee community warmly embraced oat milk for its capacity to mimic dairy in flavour and texture, making it perfect for popular espresso-based drinks. Whether it's the smooth surface of a flat white, the intricate latte art of a cappuccino, or the richness of an espresso macchiato, oat milk rises to the occasion, literally and figuratively.
Latte Art Just Got Oat-Of-This-World
Baristas the world over have celebrated the microfoaming capabilities of oat milk, which allows for intricate detailing in latte art. Enthusiasts should consider investing in a good-quality frother or a high-grade espresso machine with a steam wand, as both are necessary for producing the kind of microfoam that's synonymous with oat milk and cafe-quality beverages.
Environmental and Ethical Factors: A Sip of Sustainability
On a planet grappling with the environmental toll of dairy farming, oat milk's smaller ecological footprint is a commendable feature. The process of creating oat milk emits significantly less greenhouse gases and requires less water than traditional dairy.
Nutrition
Oat milk is naturally cholesterol-free and is mostly fortified with various nutrients, including calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12, which are crucial for maintaining healthy bones and a balanced diet.
Oat Milk: The Full-Cream Conclusion
The verdict is in — oat milk isn't just good in tea and coffee; it's transforming the way we enjoy these cherished drinks for the better. Oat milk's compatibility with tea and coffee has cemented its place in the mugs and hearts of enthusiasts looking for a dairy-free, environmentally friendly alternative. Its health benefits, versatility, and contribution to ethical sourcing practices make oat milk a worthy addition to any beverage.
Tea lovers and coffee enthusiasts alike have found common ground in oat milk, which harmonizes with the flavours of their favourite brews. As consumers become more discerning about what they pour into their cups, oat milk stands out not only for what it adds to the beverage but for what it stands for — a pillar for sustainability and ethical sourcing within a burgeoning health trend.
Oat milk has proven itself as a mainstay for all those who cherish their morning rituals. Its creamy texture and underlying sweetness make for a perfect marriage with tea's subtle flavours and coffee's robust profiles. As our collective understanding and approach towards health, ethics, and taste evolve, the future looks distinctly oaty. The question, then, isn't whether oat milk is good in tea and coffee — it's how we ever managed without it.
MYOM: The perfect Oat Milk For Tea and Coffee
MYOM is an oat milk premix that offers a delicious and nutritious alternative to traditional dairy milk and other plant-based alternatives in cartons. A first of its kind, MYOM tastes heavenly and is good for us. Like other oat milks, MYOM Original Oat is free-from dairy and is lactose free. MYOM is lower in calories, fat, and carbs than semi-skimmed dairy milk. MYOM has no added sugars and is lower in sugar than other leading oat milk brands in cartons.
Oat milk in cartons is 90% water, meaning more packaging, more weight and more energy and emissions to get your oat milk home. Doesn’t sound great, does it? We don’t add that water in the first place. There’s no need. By adding water at home, we remove weight, save emissions and waste.
With MYOM, you can make fresh oat milk where and when you need it. The pouches can be stored in the cupboard or popped in a bag to take with you. Just add water and chill in the fridge afterwards to be there just when you need it.
MYOM Oat Milk and Coffee
Coffee lovers know oat milk froths easily and will be excited to try MYOM Original Oat because it performs beautifully. Smooth and creamy when steamed and a fabulous froth when made up in a blender. Perfect for your favourite flat white or cappuccino.
MYOM Original Oat is rich and silky, with a mouthfeel that is close to semi-skimmed dairy milk. Naturally low in sugar, nevertheless MYOM’s subtle sweetness balances the bitter notes in coffee and works equally well when paired with complex or fruitier blends.
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MYOM Oat Milk and Tea
MYOM has a subtle, relatively neutral mild taste compared to some oat, almond and coconut milks, complementing earthy notes of tea without overpowering more delicate flavour tea blends. Its natural subtle sweetness is not too sweet; which can also be a problem with many plant-based milks. MYOM helps bring out the flavours of darker, oxidised brews, particularly those with a deep aroma and bold, nutty flavour.
Taking The Next Step
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a total newbie, it’s best to experiment with the different plant milks out there to find the options that work for you. You may find that you prefer different plant milks for different beverages, so the important thing is to choose the best quality plant milks for your needs.
Here at MYOM, we’re committed to providing high quality oat milk premix – with a taste that is perfect for tea and coffee. Our Oat Blend just needs added water to create a creamy oat milk, giving you control over consistency. And it’s not just taste that we’re serious about; we’re dedicated to producing our Oat Blend with an absolute minimum impact on the planet.
So, try MYOM Original Oat Drink Blend in your tea or coffee today – and prepare to be amazed.
