Oat milk, in fact, is not a new trend in the world, but in Russia it is only gaining rapid popularity among adherents of a healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition, vegetarians and simply lovers of everything new and interesting. It goes well with the taste of coffee drinks, and more and more trendy coffee shops are now offering lattes or cappuccinos with the addition of oat milk. Not only is it really tasty, but it is also very healthy. We'll tell you all about how to make coffee with oat milk at home, what its features are, and what its calorie content is.
What is coffee with oat milk called?
The drink does not have a name that would sound the same and understandable to everyone. Nor does it apply to cocktails with the addition of almond or other types of “non-dairy milk.” There are separate names associated with puns in Sweden and some other northern countries.
Oats are called “oat”, and this name is “embedded” in the names of coffee drinks:
- Capoatchino - cappuccino;
- Coatado – cortado (espresso with milk 50:50);
- Macchioato - macchiato.
Such names don't catch on in our coffee shops, but you can ask the barista if they can make any of the coffee-milk drinks with oat milk. It’s unlikely to happen in classic coffee shops, but in trendy hipster establishments it’s becoming more and more common.
A barista should know which coffee goes best with milk
If you are a true coffee connoisseur and are constantly looking for new flavors, then ask the barista which coffee will suit your drink best. For example, alternatives made from almonds and hemp are very different in taste and may not suit certain types of coffee, but go well with others.
In modern coffee shops, baristas pay attention to such details as the date and profile of the roast, the terroir of the coffee and its taste characteristics. In this case, ask which type of coffee will suit your plant-based milk. For example, you should never add almonds to rich Kenyan coffee with pronounced sourness. But if the barista is “in the know,” he will recommend you an option that will only emphasize and improve the taste of the drink.
Almond cappuccino ©Civil Coffee
Taste of coffee with oat milk
People often ask online whether it is possible to drink coffee with oat milk.
As a rule, the question comes from those who have seen a new product in the store, but have not yet tried it. Because the taste of an oat product is most similar to natural cow's milk, much more than any other types and substitutes like soy or almonds. At the same time, its taste itself is neutral, that is, it does not overwhelm the taste of espresso, as often happens with almond, coconut and other products that give a noticeably nutty tint. Rather, it is not the taste that is felt, but rather light shades, barely perceptible tones of grain, malt, and a slight sweetness. Creamy texture and smoothness - like cow's milk. Foams well for lattes and cappuccinos, unlike other non-dairy analogues.
Everything you need to know about milk alternatives in coffee
Today, more and more people are abandoning animal milk. Some do it for ethical reasons, others for health reasons, and others follow fashion. Be that as it may, plant-based milk is confidently gaining popularity. Therefore, any modern coffee shop that strives to keep up with the latest trends cannot do without meatless alternatives. This will make the menu more varied and attract guests who, for one reason or another, have given up cow's milk.
We spent a lot of time testing plant-based analogues and ruined quite a few cups of coffee with them before we figured out what was what. And here is the main thing we managed to find out:
Benefits of coffee with oat milk
This is almost the ideal non-dairy product for everyone: it does not contain lactose, nuts, or gluten. There are no risks for anyone at all. But these are not the only advantages of such a valuable product:
- Incredibly low fat content. Oat milk contains 0.5 g of fat, of which 0.1 g is saturated fat per 100 ml; almond milk contains 1.3 g of fat, of which 0.4 g is saturated.
- High fiber content. One serving contains four grams of fiber. This is approximately one tenth of the daily requirement. In almond it is much less. Fiber is good for healthy digestion, and intestinal microflora affects the immune system.
- Lots of vitamins and minerals. On average, different manufacturers' products contain about 10 minerals and 15 vitamins, and, importantly, calcium, which is also found in cow's milk, but there is very little of it in almond milk.
Minimal sugar and fat, full of benefits and absolutely no harm - these are the reasons why you should at least try adding oat milk to your morning coffee.
Latte art with alternative milk
If there is a vague amoeba on the surface of your latte instead of a beautiful design, then do not rush to blame the barista. There is a scientific explanation for this. Thanks to the unique combination of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, foam forms on the surface of regular milk when heated. Casein protein makes the foam fluffy and allows it to last longer. And as many people know, the composition of the milk is important for good foam (this is why it is more difficult to froth skim milk).
On the other hand, the chemical composition of almond milk, soy milk and other analogs is significantly different from cow's milk. It contains less proteins, it separates into components faster and reacts differently to high temperatures. For this reason, thickeners (the same carrageenan) and stabilizers (most often guar gum) are added to it. But this does not mean that you cannot use it to create a small work of art on the surface of the coffee. It's just that without animal proteins - and most baristas will agree - it's much more difficult to achieve clarity in the drawing.
It’s also worth noting that espresso machines are designed to work with regular milk. Indeed, despite fashion trends, lean alternatives still remain in the shadow of cow's milk. But don't be discouraged: the benefits of plant-based alternatives far outweigh the slight disappointment of a fuzzy pattern on your latte.
Almond cappuccino ©Rooster Coffee
Oat milk coffee recipes
By and large, oat milk is closest to cow's milk, so it can be used in exactly the same way, in the most standard and unusual recipes, in the same proportions. Due to its composition, it whips quite well, and even if you may have to spend a little more time for this, you can quite get a fairly thick and dense foam, suitable even for a latte or cappuccino. But you can prepare these drinks anyway, and we’ll tell you about more interesting combinations of ingredients that highlight the subtle notes of oats.
Do not boil or heat oat milk too much as it will thicken, especially homemade milk.
Oatmeal latte with vanilla and cinnamon
Light, warm, very “cozy” drink, calming and relaxing:
- A shot of espresso;
- 150 ml oat milk;
- Vanilla, preferably in pods, but also in the form of essence or sugar;
- Cinnamon, stick or ground.
Heat the milk and spices in a small saucepan over low heat, but do not bring to a boil. It is important that the spices give off their aroma and taste. Whip the milk (in an Aeropress, French press or steamer) and pour it into a cup on top of the espresso. If the foam turns out really thick, you can practice the art of latte art. You can serve the drink with a cinnamon stick – it’s both beautiful and aromatic.
Chocolate date oat latte
A delicious, creamy coffee drink made with oat milk, juicy fruits and warming spices.
- 150 ml coffee;
- 100 ml milk;
- Date without seeds;
- A few granules of sea salt;
- Grated nutmeg;
- Hot red pepper;
- A slice or two of chocolate;
- Ground cinnamon.
Prepare your coffee any way you like, just be sure to strain out the grounds as there will be chocolate at the bottom and you'll definitely want to drink every last drop. Melt chocolate in milk; There is no need to boil it, just to melt it - you can first heat it in the microwave and then stir it in a warm liquid. Add spices, put just a little red pepper, on the tip of a knife, or a couple of flakes, or a piece of fresh, but very small. Chop the date, place all the ingredients except the coffee in a blender, and blend for a while. Pour over the coffee, garnish with grated chocolate and enjoy immediately before the foam falls off.
Coffee with oat milk and syrups
Prepare a delicious drink with unusual flavors by adding a variety of syrups. Fruits and berries will not be the best addition, but you can try one of the following:
- Chocolate;
- Walnut;
- Baileys;
- Coffee;
- Vanilla;
- Lavender;
- Caramel.
Dissolve the syrup in a portion of your coffee and add oat milk to taste, as you would add regular milk. You can try different combinations, mixtures, or even dissolve rather thick toppings in hot liquid - it will always be delicious.
Rum oat iced latte
A great drink for hot summer evenings to relax after work stress:
- A shot of espresso;
- 120 ml oat milk;
- A tablespoon of rum;
- Ice.
It is better, of course, to use chilled espresso. If you have just prepared it, pour it into a cup and put it in the freezer for a while. Whisk oat milk with rum; if you have nothing to whisk with, pour it into a jar or bottle with a tight twist and shake vigorously. You can add ground spices. Place ice in a glass, pour in the espresso and top with whipped milk foam. Simple and delicious!
How to make oat milk for coffee at home
Of course, it is more convenient to buy a finished product in a store, but you can usually find such “non-milk” only in hypermarkets or individual eco-product stores. But you can easily prepare it at home.
- 50 g oatmeal;
- 0.5 liters of water.
- Vanilla or cinnamon.
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend for about a minute until smooth. Strain through a very fine sieve or several layers of cheesecloth. Pour into a bottle and store in the refrigerator. Homemade oat milk can stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, but is best used within 3 days.
Always shake the container thoroughly before pouring homemade oat milk into your espresso or Americano.
How to cook at home
First way. To make basic oat milk you only need 2 ingredients, 1 blender and 5 minutes!
- In a blender bowl, mix 100 g of oatmeal (not quick and without soaking) and 1 liter of tasty drinking water.
- Grind the mixture for 30-45 seconds. Do not overdo it! Overmixing can make oat milk slimy in texture.
- Strain the liquid 2 times through a cotton towel or napkin.
- If desired, add sea salt (a pinch), dates (1 pitted date or 15 ml date syrup), vanilla seeds (a third of a pod), cocoa powder (8-10 g) or berries (20-25 g) to the drink. Homemade oat milk can be stored in an airtight bottle or container for 3-4 days. Be sure to shake the container vigorously before using!
The resulting drink will not foam when whipped and it is better not to heat it (it may separate). You just need to drink it or use it cold.
Second way. Making creamy oat milk that has the same texture as store-bought milk requires a little more work.
- Soak 100g raw cashews in very hot water for 30 minutes. or in cool water, 6 hours.
- Drain and rinse cashews under running water. Mix in a blender bowl with 50 g of coconut flakes (preferably unsweetened), 40 g of oatmeal, 1 pitted date, a small pinch of sea salt and 750 ml of tasty drinking water. Start with just the right amount of water to create a rich, creamy “milk.” If you want a thinner liquid, increase the volume of water to 900 ml.
- Cover the blender with a towel (just in case, to prevent the liquid from spilling) and blend for 1 minute.
- Line a large bowl with a cotton towel and carefully pour the resulting liquid into it, bringing the edges of the towel together. Squeeze the cake, squeezing as much “milk” out of it as possible.
This creamy mixture is perfect for foaming and heating. It can be used hot to make coffee or matcha drinks. You can also season porridge with it, for example, Scandinavian buckwheat .
Scandinavian buckwheat porridge with ginger and blueberries
Coffee with oat milk: calories
People on a low-fat diet are happy to choose dairy products derived from oats, as they contain less fat than milk and almond products. Most brands contain less than 2.5 grams of fat per serving, while traditional milk sometimes contains more than 8 grams per serving. Both oat milk and almond milk contain fewer calories than cow's milk, but oat products tend to have even fewer calories than almond milk.
On average, 100 ml of oat milk contains 30 kcal. In almond - about 50, in cow - almost 70 kcal. A cup of coffee with oat milk contains approximately 20–40 kcal, depending on the recipe and portion.
Baileys cocoa with orange liqueur
Recipe by Elbek Gaziev
Ingredients. 30 g hot chocolate (or cocoa), 30 ml espresso, 100 ml milk, 20 ml Baileys liqueur, 20 ml Cointreau liqueur, 20 g whipped cream.
Instructions. Brew espresso, add alcohol to it, stir, pour into a glass. Place milk and hot chocolate in a milk pitcher (jug) and stir well. Pour the mixture into an espresso glass and garnish with whipped cream.
Coffee with oat milk: reviews
There are absolutely no negative reviews about such cocktails on the Internet: probably because the consistency and taste of oat milk is as similar as possible to cow’s milk, that is, the difference is not felt, and there are no foreign tastes.
If you make oat milk at home, it may seem a little slimy, especially if you soak the oats, or if you don't shake the mixture well enough before pouring. But most people don’t have this problem, and they like everything. The finished store-bought product usually does not have such a drawback; it is homogeneous throughout the entire structure. Just pour it from the bag.
If you like to try new and exciting things, or are simply looking for plant-based dairy products that are lactose-free, nut-free, and low in fat or calories, discover oat milk coffee and you'll love it!
Where to look for NOT Milk
Those lucky enough to live on the West Coast of the United States can easily find meatless alternatives at many coffee shops. For the rest of humanity, fresh plant milk is comparable in rarity to unicorn milk. These high-value dairy products are either homemade, like the almond macadamia milk at G&B Coffee, or the result of a collaboration between a juice company and a coffee shop, like Verve Coffee and Juice Served Here.
In the coffee industry, cow's milk is taken for granted.
Video: Organic milk production
Fortunately, the situation is beginning to change. Due to the growing demand for meatless analogues, establishments are beginning to pay attention and are adding drinks with plant-based milk to the menu.
The trend originated in the western United States and is slowly making its way east. This means that someday it will reach us. We are sure that in a couple of years useful alternatives will be available in any self-respecting coffee shop
