Finding the perfect plant-based alternative to dairy milk can be challenging for tea and coffee lovers. Although there’s a vast range of vegan milk on the market, some people find the creamy texture of dairy to be the best match for their favourite hot drink.
Fortunately, it’s now easy to find non-dairy milk that’s creamy, delicious and a perfect pairing for all kinds of teas and coffees — both hot and cold!
Today, we’re exploring the best plant-based milk alternatives, considering taste, texture and how well they blend with each drink. So, if you want to switch but haven’t found the perfect solution, you’ll find your answers here!
Almond Milk
Almond milk has a subtle nutty flavour and pairs exceptionally well with herbal teas. However, because of its thin consistency, it’s not a good choice if you like creamy milk in your tea or coffee.
Made from almonds and water, this type of milk is also a good match for making smoothies and pouring on cereal.
If you want almond milk in your tea or coffee, be aware that it sometimes curdles at very hot temperatures, so it’s best to add it slowly or warm it first.
Soy Milk
Soy milk has long been a popular choice in Eastern countries but has only been commercially available in the West for around 100 years.
Typically made from soybeans and water, this plant-based milk isn’t as creamy as oat milk, but it does come close, making it a good choice for coffee drinkers. It’s also known to make a great addition to black tea.
As a high-protein bean, soy is a nutritious choice but, as milk, it is prone to curdling. Also, some brands can have a nutty flavour that overpowers lighter tastes.
Oat Milk
The popularity of oat milk has surged over the last decade, and it’s now a regular feature in most supermarkets and cafes.
Made from a base of oats and water, the texture of oat milk is naturally creamy and comparable to dairy. Additionally, oat milk has a slightly sweet, mild flavour that won’t alter the taste of your drink.
Plus, oat milk doesn’t curdle in hot temperatures because of the mixture of fats and proteins.
Coconut Milk
Coconut milk has a distinct, unique flavour and a rich, creamy consistency, making it an excellent choice for iced coffee, herbal tea and chai. However, coconut isn’t to everyone’s taste and can be too intense for lighter teas
Coconut flesh, rich in healthy fats, is combined with water to make this type of milk. The flesh is a fantastic source of fibre and essential minerals, making it a healthy choice.
Remember, coconut milk in a carton is not the same as coconut milk in a can, and it’s the carton version you want for tea and coffee!
Cashew Milk
You won’t easily find cashew milk in supermarkets or cafes, so you might have to visit your local health food store for this one. But with such a smooth and creamy texture, it’s worth the extra effort.
Made from a blend of cashew nuts and water, it has a mild nutty flavour that goes well with most hot beverages, but pairs particularly well with milky coffees, such as a latte or cappuccino.
You might be surprised that some store-bought cashew milk contains more calcium than dairy milk. And, like soybeans, cashews are high in protein, making this a nutritious choice for health-conscious shoppers.
Rice Milk
Rice milk is not a good match for coffee or black tea because it has a relatively thin consistency and tends to curdle at hot temperatures. However, with a naturally sweet flavour, a dash of rice milk in herbal tea can enhance the experience.
Rice milk is made from rice and water, meaning it’s naturally lactose-free, nut-free and gluten-free, and therefore a good option for people with allergies or intolerances. Plus, it’s often fortified with essential vitamins and minerals.
Hemp Milk
Hemp milk has an interesting earthy flavour that complements certain beverages but won’t match well with everything.
Hemp seeds, rich in omega fats, magnesium, iron and zinc, are combined with water to produce this milk, making it another nutritious option.
Like oats and coconuts, hemp seeds can make rich, creamy milk, so it’s a good choice for cappuccinos and lattes. However, like cashew milk, it’s not a common choice, so it can be hard to find.
What’s The Best Non-Dairy Milk for Hot and Cold Drinks?
There’s no perfect answer to this question, as the best non-dairy milk for you will depend on personal preference and the drink you’re adding it to.
For hot coffee lovers, oat milk tends to be the winner as it’s creamy, easy to find and comparable in price to dairy milk. But if cashew and hemp milk become easier to get hold of, they might soon beat oat milk to the top spot.
When it comes to iced coffee and teas, coconut milk is a good choice for the tropical flavour, but soy milk is best for a more neutral flavour. The consistency of both of these plant-based options makes them perfect for iced coffee, as it’s not thick like oat milk or too light like rice milk.
Black tea drinkers who enjoy a creamy consistency might also want to opt for oat, cashew or hemp. However, almond milk is better for those who prefer a lighter consistency. And for herbal tea, a splash of coconut or rice milk can mix up the flavour for a refreshing drink.
Bubble tea, also known as boba, is an increasingly popular refreshment across Europe, as more bubble tea shops pop up in major cities. Boba is traditionally made with cow’s milk, but it’s usually possible to request soy, oat or almond. Since oat is the closest match to cow’s milk, this will likely be your favourite substitute.
If you’re not a tea or coffee drinker but partial to a luxurious cup of hot chocolate, then oat milk is likely your top choice for a decadent, creamy chocolate treat. To turn your hot chocolate into a delicious iced drink, simply let it cool and ice!
|
Type of non-dairy milk |
Works best with |
Does not work well with |
|
Almond milk |
Herbal tea and bubble tea |
Very hot coffee |
|
Soy milk |
Black tea and iced drinks |
Very hot coffee |
|
Oat milk |
Coffee and hot chocolate |
Herbal tea |
|
Coconut milk |
Iced drinks |
Light tea |
|
Cashew milk |
Latte and cappuccino |
Herbal tea |
|
Rice milk |
Herbal tea |
Coffee or black tea |
|
Hemp milk |
Latte and cappuccino |
Herbal tea |
What About The Barista Options?
Some plant-based milk brands produce barista alternatives, which will be your best bet for a perfect cup of tea or coffee.
These barista milk variations are usually higher in fat to create an extra creamy consistency and are more heat-stable, making them much less likely to curdle. The barista options also tend to froth and steam better than regular plant-based milks, so they’re often the product of choice in cafes.
Choosing the Best Vegan Milk
The only way to know which vegan milk you’ll enjoy the most in your tea and coffee is to experiment with different options.
Remember, some brands will be creamier, sweeter and more flavourful than others, so don’t reach a verdict before you’ve sampled a broad range!