Plant-based, dairy-free milks are on the rise.
Riseofthevegan.com shared this chart from Euromonitor showing the astounding growth non-milk alternatives have seen over the past 14 years:
So many consumers are now turning toward plant-based milk over dairy, whether they are vegan, lactose intolerant, or are just seeking a healthier diet overall.
It’s common to find plant-based milks on the menus of many coffee shops as substitute options in your favourite lattes, and even as a core ingredient in many other recipes.
Plant-free milk alternatives are all around healthier than cow’s milk and typically contain tons of powerful vitamins and minerals that your body is always thankful for.
So moooove over Daisy, plant power is here to stay.
Nut Milks
Seven of the milks on our list are made from nuts. This is most common and most natural plant-based milk ingredient.
1. Almond Milk
Probably the most popular milk replacement, this naturally tops our list. In its purest form, almond milk is made from blending almonds with water and then filtering out the solid remains. It’s smooth with a slight nutty flavour. You shouldn’t have trouble finding this one in most supermarkets and cafés.
Or, make your own and use it in these Vegan Blueberry Pancakes.
2. Cashew Milk
Cashew milk is a popular choice if you prefer less of that nutty flavour. The milk is very creamy and it’s often enjoyed with a hint of vanilla, honey, and/or cinnamon.
Or, make your own and use it in Strawberry Cashew Milk Ice Cream.
3. Peanut Milk
The lesser common peanut milk is made in much the same way as its almond predecessor, though the challenge with this milk is in masking the peanutty taste for it to have a more authentic taste. One benefit is that it contains more protein than almond milk.
Or, make your own and use it in this Avocado Chocolate Sauce.
4. Hazelnut Milk
You can honestly make a milk out of anything! It is suggested that hazelnut tastes better in coffee than a few of the other milks in this list. It’s nutty flavour is, therefore, more pronounced than that of almond milk.
Or, make your own and try it in these Plant-Based Oatmeal Waffles.
5. Walnut Milk
Slightly less creamy than cashew or almond milk, walnut milk may have more of an acquired taste for some, but it is surely and steadily gaining popularity.
Or, make your own and try it in this Green Mango Protein Smoothie.
6. Macadamia Milk
Macadamia milk is one nutty milk that requires no straining. It is very creamy and takes no time to make!
Or, make your own and use it in this Banana Cream Pie Smoothie.
7. Pecan Milk
Another nut milk that can be made without straining, pecan milk gives off a slight pecan flavour and, much like the other milks, is typically sweetened with some syrup or vanilla.
Or, make your own and use it in these Vegan Blueberry Breakfast Muffins.
Fruit/Vegetable Milks
You may think some of these are also nuts, but they’re not! Who knew fruit and veggies could do so much good? — WE DID!
8. Coconut Milk
Did you know coconut is actually classified as a fruit? Coconut milk is made from the coconut’s “meat” found within the actual nut that is grated and blended with water, before being strained into a milk. It has a natural sweetness to it and is different from coconut water, which is the naturally produced liquid found within the shell of the nut as it matures.
Or, make your own and use it in Chocolate Coconut Milk Ice Cream.
9. Tigernut Milk
What even is a tigernut? Well you may not know what it is but it makes a damn good milk! Actually, turns out a tigernut is a tuber (root vegetable). Its milk gives off a sweet and slight nutty flavour, and is said to taste good in tea, coffee and smoothies.
Make your own and use it in this Blueberry Oat Protein Smoothie.
10. Pea Milk
High in protein and fiber and low in fat, pea milk is one of the newer milk trends gaining traction this year. It is made from yellow or green peas. The good news is that it doesn’t taste anything like peas, but it also doesn’t taste naturally as sweet as some of the others milks.
Or, make your own and use it in this Penne Primavera.
Grain/Seed Milks
Another popular, but newer, choice for a milk base would be grain or seed. While they’re made just as easily as nuts milks, they may be loved a little more because they’re a little easier on the wallet.
11. Rice Milk
Typically made from brown rice, rice milk is one of the less expensive milks you can make at home, but also contains more carbs than some of the other milks. When these carbs break down, however, you’re left with a naturally sweet drink.
Or, make your own and use it in these Vegan Pumpkin Muffins
12. Oat Milk
Another quick and inexpensive alternative to almond milk, oat milk doesn’t require as much soaking as the other milks. It also produces a very rich and creamy texture.
Or, make your own and use it in these Classic Vegan Pancakes.
13. Quinoa Milk
For another thick and creamy milk substitute, turn to quinoa milk! It is also full of protein!
Or, make your own and use it in this Vegan Macaroni and Cheese.
14. Flax Milk
Flax milk has one of the more neutral tastes amongst the group of plant-based milks, but how you like it will depend on how you like the taste of flax. Go with brown flax for a stronger flavour or golden flax for a milder one.
Or, make your own and use it in these Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie Pancakes.
15. Hemp Milk
Made by blending hemp seeds with water, hemp milk is on the thicker side and has a nutty flavour akin to almond milk. It is made from the same plant used to produce marijuana but the milk/seed does not contain THC.
Or, make your own and use it in these Plant-Based Whole Wheat Biscuits.
16. Buckwheat Milk
Buckwheat is another seed that produces a nice milk. Raw buckwheat produces a light, grassy tasting milk while the toasted kind has a nutty/cereal-like flavour.
Or, make your own and use it in these Vanilla Maple Walnut Overnight Oats.
Other
17. Soy Milk
There’s no real reason soy milk is found at the bottom of our list other than the fact it is a legume and does not fit into the above categories. Soy milk is probably the second most commonly used plant-based milk after almond but, as you can see from this list, is steadily getting inched out by other alternatives that have less allergens and, frankly, just taste better!
Or, make your own and use it in this Vegan Cherry Vanilla Ice Cream.
Wrapping Up
So there you have it! There’s really no shortage of dairy replacements on supermarket shelves today. There’s no reason you cannot find the flavour you like and continue to enjoy all your favourite meals without harming any animals in the process.
It seems every time you turn around there’s another rising milk trend; it’s almost impossible to keep track of them all! Honestly, I think what I’ve learned through all of this is that you can make milk out of just about anything!
How about you? What plant-based milks top your list? Have we left any out that you swear by? Leave your comments below; we’d love to hear from you!
Milk is one of the easier substitutions to throw into the mix when you’re transitioning to a plant-based diet. For some more tips, download our FREE step-by-step guide today:
