Ever since the inception of coffee, milk has almost always been an integral part of it. Whether it is related to flavor enrichment or improving the overall texture or something else. As a matter of fact around 90% of the coffee-drinkers in Belgium are reported to prefer to have their coffee with milk in year 2019.
The milk in the coffee is by an large obtained from husbandry farm animals such as bovines, goats, etc. Collectively, they are referred to as dairy milk.
But over time, research has been able to single out a number of ill-health effects associated with drinking excess coffee Some of these include -
- Sensations of nervousness
- Feeling of nausea
- Stiffness of blood vessels
- Increased risk of colon or rectal cancer
- Heart rate fluctuation
To counteract this issue, modern science has stepped in and devised a workaround for dairy products in coffee.
This all gave birth to the vegan coffee trend.
Introduction of non-dairy products
In addition to the many ill-health effects of milk in coffee, it also was looked upon unfavorably by the vegetarian community. To do away with dairy milk. A number of non-dairy alternatives were introduced.
These were claimed to have every bit of the milky taste while having none of the ill-health effects that they had.
A few of the most popular non-dairy products use in coffee are -
1) Soy Milk
It comprises a soy protein isolate that is combined with vegetable oils and thickeners. This is used to upscale the flavor and consistency. This makes it a prime substitute for milk in coffee.
It is known to pack a mild and creamy taste which varies a lot with the brand.
240 ML of unsweetened soy milk contains -
- 80 - 90 calories
- 4 - 4.5 Gms of fat
- 7 - 9 Gms of protein
- 4 to 5 Gms of carbohydrate
2) Almond Milk
Almond milk is another popular non-dairy product used in coffee. It is made up of almonds (or almond butter) and water. In terms of texture, it is lightly toned and possesses a marginally sweet and nutty flavor.
It is normally added to coffee drinks or mixed with smoothies or even added to baking products as a milk substitute.
240 ML of it contains -
- 30 to 35 calories
- 2.5 gms of fat
- 1 Gm of protein
- 2-2.5 Gms of carbohydrate
3) Oat Milk
Oat milk comprises a mixture of oats and water, essentially. Brands try to elevate this with certain additives such as oil, salt and sugar.
In its natural state, it is mildly sweet and is added to breakfast cereals and smoothies alongside coffee, as a dairy milk substitute.
240 ML of it contains:
- 140-170 calories
- 4.5-5 Gms of fat
- 2.5-5 Gms of protein
- 19-29 Gms of carbohydrate
4) Rice Milk
It is made out of milled brown rice and water. This is mixed with certain additives such as thickening agents to improve the taste.
It is known to be mildly sweet in taste. Like almond milk. It is added to other desserts and baking products along with coffee.
240 ML of it contains :
- 130-140 calories
- 2-3 Gms of fat
- 1 Gm of protein
- 27-38 Gms of carbohydrate
5) Cashew Milk
It is made from cashew nuts (or cashew butter) and water.
Flavor-wise, it is subtly sweet with a hint of a nutty vibe. This makes it an apt creamer for coffee drinks.
240ML of it contains -
- 25-50 calories
- 2-4 Gms of fat
- 0-1 Gm of protein
- 1-2 Gms of carbohydrates
To a conventional coffee drinker, these substitutes may not even be noticeable. This makes them great vegan milk-type substitutes for coffee.