From standard.co.uk
We put the market’s cow milk alternatives to the test
The sheer quantity of dairy free milks now available is mind-boggling. From classic soya or oat milks, to nut or potato-based offerings - the big question is where to start?
Whether you’re newly vegan, lactose-intolerant, or just trying to make some eco-friendly choices in your fridge, there’s a lot to learn about the huge assortment on offer.
Some are far stronger on the environmental front, being produced locally from more sustainable ingredients. Others are ideal for those making the switch for health concerns, with several low-fat and low-calories options.
Certain dairy-free alternatives will unfortunately still curdle in your coffee, and others are far too sweet for tea.
However, these days the variety is so huge, meaning there are both many excellent all-rounders as well as more specialist products for those with a particular need in mind.
This goes far beyond the three bottle top colours in normal dairy milk, so be prepared to try a few before finding your perfect match.
Luckily, we’ve done the extensive tasting for you. So whether you’re looking for the ultimate plant-based milk for your tea, cereal, or fancy at-home coffees, we’ve got the right one for you in this list of what we think are the best around.
Shop the best below
Gaia's Hemp & Coco Chocolate M*lk
For something sweet to drink by the glass, Gaia’s Hemp and Coco Chocolate M*lk is hard to beat. Deliciously thick and creamy, this chocolate flavoured drink is reminiscent of childhood chocolate milkshakes. Sweet but not overly so, this is a decadent treat for any age and without any of the guilt. Made from a hemp base mixed with coconut cream and sustainable cacao, it’s just 55 calories per 100ml and contains no artificial flavours.
Oatly Oat Drink Semi
A fridge staple - Oatly’s Oat drink Semi is our favourite as an all-rounder to have in the house at all times. The drink is creamy, and rich in flavour but not overly sweet as to overpower. It has a good thickness, and consistency and crucially never curdles in strong coffee, as is often seen in soya alternatives. Oatly’s Oat Drink Semi is also reasonably priced and can now be easily found in most supermarkets.
Sproud Barista
Made from peas, Sproud Barista is surprisingly smooth and extremely creamy making it a fantastic choice for at-home coffees with an edge. Powered by yellow split peas, it’s naturally high in protein and low in sugar and carbs. It’s also a fantastically sustainable choice as these peas put nitrogen back into the soil, helping rebuild organic matter and restore biodiversity. Rich in Vitamins D and B12, with a subtle taste this is a great all-rounder for hot drinks, to cereal, to baking.
DUG Original Potato Milk
On reading ‘potato milk’, my taste buds were ready for this drink to be weak and watery, but I could not have been more wrong. DUG Original is exceptionally creamy, with a thickness that makes it feel decadent however you consume it. Due to its unique potato and rapeseed emulsion, this drink never separates, making it perfect for creamy coffees as well as baking. Made from the humble potato, this is also a brilliantly sustainable choice, with potato crops requiring far less space and water compared to alternatives such as almonds or soybeans.
Alpro Almond No Sugars
Having launched its first plant-based milk in 1980, Alpro is one of the longest standing producers, and has a huge range of well-refined products. The top pick for me is the Alpro Almond with No Sugars. Made with lightly roasted Mediterranean almonds, this drink has a rich nutty flavour, while remaining low in sugar and naturally low in fat. Due to its nut base, it avoids any oiliness and lasts well in tea and coffee without separating.
Nooj Creamy Cashew Paste
Quite unlike any others on this list, Nooj offers a brand new concept to dairy-free milk. The brand produces nut milk concentrate which is bought as a paste in a small pouch - with customers adding water at home to create a milk drink. The idea is to greatly reduce packaging. With other plant milks up to 95 per cent water, the Nooj pastes mean this water doesn’t travel, and instead comes straight from your tap.
The concept also increases shelf-life as you can make as much or as little as you need per serving. Once mixed, it becomes a tasty milk alternative, with an enjoyable nutty undertone. The paste can also be used widely in cooking as a replacement for things like ricotta, cream and yoghurt.
Lilk The Common Blend
Made with a blend of creamy oat and smooth rice, Lilk’s Common Blend is, for me, the closest I’ve come to traditional cow’s milk. Neutral in taste, without the hints of nuttiness or soy found in alternatives, Lilk has a natural sweetness which makes it perfect to drink by the glass. With no artificial sweeteners, and a fantastic creamy texture, this is also great to cook with, making it a fantastic all-rounder - especially for those new to plant-based milks.
Califia Farms Almond Unsweetened Vanilla
Unsweetened but with a hint of vanilla, Califia Farm’s Almond Milk is subtly sweet, and a delicious dairy-free alternative. Smooth, with a slight nuttiness, this milk contains no sugar, and contains just 17 calories per 100ml. Despite this, the milk is indulgently creamy, making it brilliant in coffee, smoothies and for cooking.
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