Coffee with coconut milk is memorable for its balanced coffee-creamy taste with light nutty tones, but without notes of coconut like shavings. This combination is popular in Asia, especially Thailand, and also among vegetarians who do not accept animal fats. The drink can be supplemented with various additives: chocolate, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, etc. We will look at the most popular recipes.
This is interesting. Coconut juice and milk are not the same thing. Juice is the clear liquid inside the fruit, and milk is obtained by mixing the pulp with water, which is then whipped into a homogeneous mass and squeezed.
Adviсe:
- Any type of coffee can be combined with coconut milk: Arabica, Robusta and blends of both varieties;
- try to use coconut milk without sweeteners and with a minimum amount of preservatives;
- coconut milk is twice as caloric as cow's milk, so sometimes in coffee drinks to reduce the calorie content it is diluted with water (maximum by half) and whipped;
- coconut milk can be replaced with cow's milk in cappuccino, latte and other coffee and milk drinks in the same proportions, but the taste of coconut will not be felt;
coconut milk cannot be heated above 60-65 °C, otherwise it will curdle, so it is not added to Turkish coffee, French press or just very hot coffee;
- To make thickened coconut milk liquid again, simply place the jar in warm water and heat slowly until the milk melts, stirring occasionally;
- It is better to mix whipped coconut milk with coffee; this will not only give a beautiful airy foam, but also make the taste of the drink softer.
Classic coffee with milk
It has the richest taste because the coffee is prepared in a Turkish coffee pot.
Ingredients:
- ground coffee – 1 heaped teaspoon;
- water – 100 ml;
- coconut milk – 50 ml;
- sugar - to taste.
Recipe
1. Pour coffee into a pot and pour in cold water.
2. Heat over low heat until foam appears, remove from heat, after 20-30 seconds repeat heating (again until foam appears). Do not boil.
3. Leave the coffee for 2-3 minutes, then pour into a cup. Add whipped coconut milk and sugar to taste. Mix.
How to prevent cream sauce from curdling and being homogeneous
Do not boil
Place a medium flame under a frying pan or saucepan. When bubbles appear, the first signs of boiling, turn off the heat.
Do not use cold
A sharp temperature change causes cream or sour cream to curdle. Before cooking, remove the package from the refrigerator and leave to warm at room temperature for 2 hours.
Not on a hot surface
Before adding cream to a hot frying pan or saucepan, remove from heat for a couple of minutes or reduce the flame to low. If this is not done, there is a high probability that the cream will curdle if there is a sharp change in temperature.
Add at the end of cooking
For example, in the recipe “pasta with champignons in creamy sauce,” mushrooms, onions, and garlic are first fried and only then cream or sour cream is added. The creamy sauce is heated to the first bubbles and the flame is turned off.
Stir.
When heating, I recommend stirring the sour cream and cream. This will make the texture uniform and avoid curling.
Dilute with water
To increase the volume of the sauce, heavy cream from 23% or sour cream from 20% is diluted with water 1 to 2 or 1 to 3. The proportion depends on what richness and consistency you want to achieve from the sauce.
This is not how it should work out. Here the cream has curdled into “flakes”
Cold Thai coconut iced coffee
The original recipe for ice coffee with spices, the drink is refreshing, invigorating and memorable with a rich spicy taste.
Ingredients:
- coffee – 150 ml;
- coconut milk – 100 ml;
- cardamom – 1 pinch;
- nutmeg – 1 pinch;
- cloves – 1 bud;
- vanilla - on the tip of a knife;
- sugar - to taste.
Recipe
1. Brew coffee using any method, strain the grounds if necessary.
2. Pour the coffee into a saucepan or stewpan. Add cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, vanilla and sugar.
3. Heat slightly and simmer over low heat for 2-3 minutes so that the spices give off their aroma to the coffee.
4. Fill the serving glass with ice cubes. Add coffee through a strainer, filtering out the spices.
5. Pour in the whipped coconut milk. Mix. Serve with a straw.
Chocolate coffee with coconut milk
The result is a milk-chocolate drink with notes of coffee. Sweetness can be adjusted with sugar. It is important to use chocolate without additives (you can use dark chocolate).
Ingredients:
- coffee – 80-100 ml;
- chocolate (70% and above) – 25-30 g;
- coconut milk – 50 ml;
- sugar - to taste.
Recipe
1. Brew coffee using any method. Strain out the grounds and pour into a serving cup.
2. Melt the chocolate in a water bath, add to the coffee, stir.
3. Pour in coconut milk, add sugar. Mix.
Coconut coffee with vanilla
The drink is remembered for its delicate taste and characteristic aroma. A mixture of coconut and cow's milk goes well with vanilla tones.
Ingredients:
- brewed coffee – 100 ml;
- coconut milk – 50 ml (or 25 ml coconut and 25 ml cow);
- vanilla - on the tip of a knife;
- sugar - to taste.
Recipe
1. Brew coffee and strain the grounds, add sugar to taste. Stir and leave for 2-3 minutes to cool.
2. Pour coffee into a blender bowl, add milk and vanilla.
3. Beat at medium speed until foam appears.
4. Pour into a cup or glass. Serve slightly warm.
NO MILK. What to add to coffee instead of cow's milk?
Why not milk?
Cow's milk is considered a staple in many people's diets.
There is no complete replacement for cow's milk. Since fats, proteins and carbohydrates are perfectly balanced in it, which cannot be said about its analogues. Additionally, cow's milk has an impressive nutrient profile. First of all, it is rich in high-quality protein, contains many vitamins and minerals, and also has a unique taste. Yet many people cannot or choose not to drink it. There are many reasons for this: personal preference, dietary restrictions, allergies, ethical or religious considerations. For example, most indigenous people in China are lactose intolerant (the sugar found in milk), and vegetarians do not drink milk for ethical reasons. For religious reasons, Orthodox Christians also do not consume milk and dairy products during Lent and fasting days throughout the year. Many people do not consume milk due to concerns about the presence of antibiotics, pesticides and hormones in it, which get into it during production or during feeding and housing of cows on farms.
But what if you're an avid coffee drinker who likes to add milk to your drink, or a latte or two? In our article you will find a solution to this problem. We bring to your attention several types of plant-based milk, which will not only complement the taste of your coffee, but also saturate it with additional beneficial substances.
Soy milk
Soy milk is made from soybeans or soy protein and often contains thickeners and vegetable oils to improve taste and consistency. It contains the same amount of protein as cow's milk, but with about half the calories, fat and carbohydrates. Soy protein contains essential amino acids that are not produced by the human body.
Soy milk has a soft and rich creamy taste. It goes well with coffee and doesn’t change its taste much. 250ml of unsweetened soy milk contains 80-90 calories, 4-4.5g fat, 7-9g protein and 4g carbohydrates.
However, soy itself is a rather controversial product. It causes allergies in many people. Someone cannot consume this milk due to the fact that GMO soy is used as a raw material. Some nutritionists do not recommend it due to the high content of isoflavones (genistein and daidzein), which affect the function of female hormones. Also, soy milk contains short-chain carbohydrates, which can cause irritable bowel syndrome.
If you have no contraindications for consuming soy milk, then in reasonable quantities it is perfect as an alternative to cow's milk.
Almond milk
Almond milk is made from whole almonds or almond butter and water. It has a light texture and a slightly sweet and nutty taste. When added to coffee it gives the drink a slightly nutty note. Inferior to cow's milk in several respects: protein, fat, carbohydrate content and mineral concentration. But for people who follow a diet and limit their intake of fats and carbohydrates, this is rather a virtue. Additionally, almond milk is high in vitamin E and antioxidants. Together with the beneficial substances contained in coffee, these antioxidants will help fight free radicals.
250ml of almond milk contains 30-35 calories, 2.5g fat, 1g protein and 1-2g carbohydrates.
Another disadvantage of almond milk is that producers skimp on raw materials. That's why most drinks called "almond milk" contain only 2-5% almonds. So, look for brands on store shelves that contain a higher almond content: around 7-15%.
Another feature of almonds is the content of phytic acid. It binds to iron, zinc and calcium, reducing their absorption in the body. If you have a deficiency of these substances in your body, then it is better to opt for another plant-based milk.
Coconut milk
Coconut milk is made from water and coconut meat. There are coconut milk options in tetra packs and iron cans. What is in cans is more concentrated due to the fact that it contains more raw materials (pulp) than in cardboard packaging. You should take this into account when purchasing.
Coconut milk has a creamy texture. It's sweet, a little spicy and has a unique coconut flavor. One cup (250 ml) contains 45 calories and 4 grams of fat. It has no protein and almost no carbohydrates. It also contains a third of the calories of cow's milk, half the fat and significantly less protein and carbohydrates. Therefore, it is perfect for people on a diet.
90% of the calories from coconut milk come from saturated fat—medium chain triglycerides (MCTs). Triglycerides are not only good for the body, but they are also great food for the brain. This made coconut milk one of the main ingredients of the famous "armor-piercing coffee". But it’s still worth paying attention to the fact that coconut milk, like soy milk, contains short-chain carbohydrates that cause irritable bowel syndrome.
Oat milk
In most cases, oat milk is made from a mixture of oat flour and water. But manufacturers sometimes sin by adding additional ingredients to the drink: gum, vegetable oil and salt. This milk has a sweet, bready taste that not everyone likes. Therefore, if you decide to try adding it to your coffee, buy a small package first.
250 ml contains 140–170 calories, 4.5–5 g fat, 2.5–5 g protein and 19–29 g carbohydrates. As you can see from the composition, oat milk contains the same number of calories as cow's milk, twice as many carbohydrates and about half the amount of protein and fat. This plant-based milk is not suitable for people who want to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they consume.
Oat milk has one very beneficial property: it contains beta-glucan, a soluble fiber that lowers cholesterol. Beta glucan will also help you reduce hunger and lower blood sugar levels after meals.
Another benefit of oat milk is that it is easy to prepare at home. And it is also much cheaper than its analogues.
Rice milk
Rice milk is made from ground white or brown rice with the addition of water. As with oat milk, it often contains thickeners to improve texture and flavor.
Rice milk is the least allergenic of all cow's milk alternatives. This makes it a safe option for people with allergies or intolerances to dairy, gluten, soy or nuts.
This plant-based substitute for cow's milk has a sweet and fairly neutral taste. When added to coffee, it does not distract attention. It adds a little sweetness and makes the structure of the drink more delicate and velvety.
A serving of rice milk contains 130–140 calories, 2–3 grams of fat, 1 gram of protein, and 27–38 grams of carbohydrates.
Rice milk has the same calorie content as cow's milk, but is less fatty and contains much less protein. Of all the alternatives on our list, this product contains the most carbohydrates. Moreover, rice milk has a high glycemic index (GI) of 79–92. This means that it is quickly absorbed in the intestines and increases blood sugar levels. For this reason, people with diabetes should avoid it.
Rice milk has also been shown to contain high levels of inorganic arsenic in some studies. Drinking rice milk in large quantities can be harmful to your health. If rice makes up a significant part of your diet, it is best to avoid drinking rice milk altogether and find a better alternative.
Cashew milk
Cashew milk is made from finely ground cashew nuts and water. It has a sweet-nutty aroma with subtle hints of cashew. It goes well with coffee and does not displace its taste when mixed.
A serving of cashew milk contains 25–50 calories, 2–4 g fat, 0–1 g protein, and 1–2 g carbohydrates. The energy value of this milk is much less than cow's milk. If you play sports and want to get nutritional supplements from plant milk, then cashew nut milk is not suitable for you. It is more suitable for people on strict diets.
The most beneficial substances, namely fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals, have low concentrations in cashew milk due to the nature of production.
Macadamia nut milk
Macadamia nut milk contains more than 90% water and 3-5% macadamia nuts. This is a fairly new product to the plant milk market. In most cases, it is produced in Australia, the homeland of these exotic healthy nuts.
Organoleptically it has a dense, rich creamy taste. It's richer than most nut-based plant milks. Perfect for people who like the thick texture of coffee and milk based drinks.
250ml of this alternative milk contains 50-55 calories, 4.5-5g fat, 1-5g protein and 1g carbohydrates.
The low carbohydrate and fat content means that the drink is perfect for a balanced diet. Another fact in favor of this drink is that it contains a large amount of monounsaturated fats. They reduce blood cholesterol, blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Quinoa milk
Quinoa milk is a rare guest on the shelves of Russian grocery stores. Despite the popularity of the cereal itself, plant-based milk has not yet received close attention from consumers. You won’t find plant-based milk based only on quinoa grains. This is due to the high cost of raw materials. Most often, quinoa is added to rice-based milk. The combination of these two grains in the final drink gives it additional beneficial qualities. This milk is gluten-free and rich in quality protein.
Quinoa milk has the slightly sweet flavor of quinoa grains. If this does not contradict your taste preferences, then feel free to add quinoa milk to your coffee.
Quinoa milk contains the same amount of carbohydrates as cow's milk, but less than half the calories. It also has less fat and protein. In this regard, milk is suitable for vegans and vegetarians. It will help them compensate for the lack of protein. The mineral and vitamin composition of quinoa milk is a little poor. The reason is that there is little quinoa in the composition of this plant milk, and the peculiarities of production completely reduce them to nothing.
Cedar milk
Cedar milk appeared on the market quite recently. Thanks to the large number of cedar trees growing in Russia, milk from pine nuts is not a rare guest on the shelves of our stores. And the price is quite affordable.
Cedar milk is a unique product: it is rich in proteins, which contain nineteen amino acids. 75% of these amino acids are essential. A 200 ml serving of cedar milk contains a large amount of fatty acids, magnesium, potassium, copper, calcium, iron, zinc and manganese. Cedar milk is almost completely absorbed by the human body. And the vitamin E content in pine milk is much higher than in the kernels of any other nuts.
When added to coffee, it does not increase its sweetness, adding a spicy aroma of pine nuts to the drink. Also note that this plant milk curdles when you pour it into your coffee.
Conclusions and recommendations
So, to summarize, here are the factors that will help you in choosing an alternative to cow's milk:
- check the presence of contraindications on packages of plant-based milk and check with your doctor’s recommendations;
- exclude the possibility of allergies to products contained in milk;
- It is better to use milk that contains few carbohydrates; Also, do not add sugar to coffee with alternative milk;
- milk alternative to cow's milk should not contain GMOs, dyes or preservatives;
- Cow's milk contains a lot of calcium necessary for the body, so as an alternative it is better to choose milk containing at least 120 mg of calcium per 100 ml;
- pay attention to the content of short-chain carbohydrates in the drink, which can cause irritable bowel syndrome;
- familiarize yourself with the nutritional energy value of the product and choose the BJU content profile that suits you;
- choose plant-based milk, which contains vitamins and minerals that are deficient for your body;
- finally, after the medical aspect of the issue has been resolved, rely on your taste and ethical preferences;
