You don't have to be vegan to fall in love with the uniqueness of alternative milks. Today, herbal drinks are very popular among baristas and their customers just because of the taste. And no wonder. They add a lot of coffee to coffee and even though it is not easy, they can also be used to make latte art. Most good cafes have them on offer, so if for any reason you are not looking for cow's milk or you would just like to try this option, we can definitely recommend it.
Oat milk
The most popular and probably the most widespread variant. Oat milk is very taste-neutral, so coffee tones stand out beautifully and its texture is pleasantly creamy. It also works nicely when whipping and creating a fine micro foam is not as difficult as with other alternatives. So latte art is absolutely real. In addition, oats are a good alternative for those who have an allergy to soy or nuts.
Almond milk
Hazelnut milk is very well known in cafes and households. Almonds are probably the most used among them. But when you have a latte made of almond milk, you will feel a very aromatic marzipan taste. Someone loves him and someone hates him again. It is very individual here. As far as whipping is concerned, foam is really difficult to form from it by means of a steam nozzle. Almond milk is largely water, so it is difficult to work with. However, one of its positive aspects is the rich nutritional value that other herbal drinks do not have in most cases. Almond milk contains a lot of calcium, protein and even vitamin D.
Coconut milk
We must definitely not forget this alternative. Coconut is a popular ingredient not only in the kitchen, but also in the preparation of coffee. However, coconut milk also contains a lot of water and its frothing is very difficult because it forms a lot of bubbles. Its distinctive aroma and delicious taste will greatly affect the resulting coffee drink. Many people are pleasantly surprised, but we know that some may not have this option. Coconut milk is also widely used in summer in iced coffees.
Soy milk
Soy is notorious and in most cases indispensable for vegans. But it is also a powerful allergen, so it is good to include it in the diet very carefully. From the barista's point of view, however, soy milk is a very practical alternative to animal milk. It whips surprisingly well and latte art is not that complicated in this case either. However, it is necessary to mention that he has to know a little about this milk. It has a much lower caramelization point than cow's, so monitoring the temperature during heating is really important. Fortunately, alternative milks created directly for baristas are already available on the market, which means that this problem can be easily solved. Soy milk is widely used for its fame, but unfortunately its taste is not as good as, for example, oatmeal. However, you have to judge for yourself.
You will find much more herbal drinks in regular supermarkets. There is, for example, rice milk, hazelnut milk, cashews and others that do not pair well with coffee drinks. Therefore, you will rather not meet them in cafes.
These above mentioned variants are the most common and tastiest of all. But if you decide to buy them home primarily for whipping, be sure to look for those created especially for baristas. Thanks to the higher content of basic raw materials, you will work with them much better. And if you have a dilemma to reach for, try oatmeal first. Of course, it always depends on personal preferences, but we have the best experience with the oatmeal drink and we often prepare it ourselves at our branches. You can easily taste it with us first!
