As announced in our last blog post, this week we're focusing on milk and its plant-based alternatives. Of course, a plant-based diet already justifies the use of milk alternatives. But how do soy, oat, or almond milk compare to regular cow's milk in coffee, and whether latte art works just as well with them? We'll explore all of this this week. Enjoy reading, and let us know what you prefer to enjoy your coffee with!
3 Facts About Cow's Milk
The classic: coffee with milk. That's how most people drink their coffee at home. But what effect does milk have on our coffee?
Fact 1: Milk makes coffee less bitter.
Sounds logical? It is. The fat content binds the acids in the coffee, making them less noticeable. The overall taste becomes milder and smoother. However, high-quality coffee doesn't taste bitter even without milk – the key is the choice of coffee beans and the correct roast level.
Fact 2: Milk slows down the absorption of caffeine.
Yes, really! Anyone hoping for a quick pick-me-up from caffeine should drink their coffee black! The ingredients in milk or coffee creamer slow down the absorption of caffeine in the body.
Fact 3: Fatty and protein-rich milk is particularly suitable for coffee specialties.
Absolutely right! A fat content of 3.5–3.8% improves the taste, and a protein content of at least 3.3% creates particularly beautiful milk foam. So try to focus less on the calories and concentrate fully on the taste. That way, your morning coffee will become even more of a highlight!
7 alternatives to cow's milk:
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Soy milk:
Soy milk, as most people know, is made from soybeans and belongs to the legume family. With a protein content of 3-4%, it froths beautifully and is particularly well-suited for cappuccino with latte art. The taste of soy is best described as earthy with a hint of sweetness.
Unfortunately, soy is constantly making headlines for all the wrong reasons. A noteworthy alternative, considering both its ecological footprint and the future challenges facing agriculture, is lupin milk. Sweet lupins can be cultivated in our climate, are resistant to both frost and heat, although their flavor isn't quite perfected yet, as they tend to make coffee more bitter. We hope that some progress will be made in this area!
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Oat milk:
Oat milk is made from fermented grains. During this process, the starch is converted into sugar, giving the plant-based milk a pleasant sweetness. Oat milk froths easily and is therefore well-suited for latte art. However, the strong grain flavor quickly overpowers the taste of espresso, which isn't to everyone's liking.
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Rice milk:
Rice milk is made from whole grain rice and water. On its own, it has a strong rice flavor, which is hardly noticeable in a cappuccino. Unfortunately, its low protein content of approximately 0.2% makes it impossible to froth. But warm, as a latte, it's a real hit! Therefore, rice milk is increasingly found blended with oat or soy milk, as well as flavored as vanilla or cocoa rice milk.
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Almond milk:
Almond milk is made from roasted and ground almonds and water. The mixture is left to infuse for several hours and then blended together in a blender. Almond milk froths beautifully, but is a bit too acidic for cappuccino. This milk alternative is a great addition to an alkaline diet and thus contributes to a healthy lifestyle.
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Pea milk:
This plant-based drink consists of proteins derived from split peas, water, and rapeseed oil. Pea milk is naturally lactose-, allergen-, and gluten-free, as well as vegan. Despite the obvious differences, this milk alternative comes close to the taste of cow's milk.
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Coconut milk:
Coconut milk has a high fat content of 15-25%, depending on the amount of water. Therefore, the fat separates quickly from the water in the packaging, so it should always be shaken well before use. Coconut milk isn't recommended for cappuccino, as it doesn't produce a nice foam and the taste can become a bit watery. However, in summer, it's a real flavor sensation with cold brew, making coffee incredibly refreshing. Definitely give it a try!
So what now? Cow's milk or plant-based milk?
Unfortunately, taste isn't the only factor here. We constantly see and hear about horrific conditions in the dairy industry. Therefore, we cannot support factory farming. Nevertheless, we certainly don't demonize the use of milk, as we also enjoy it and find coffee tastes incredibly delicious with it.
We pay close attention to the origin, quality, and welfare of both people and animals when it comes to our milk, just as we do with our coffee. For example, we source our milk from the Berchtesgadener Land dairy, a cooperative of 1,800 dairies, where the average dairy has 27 cows. This allows us to support small farmers and the preservation of the landscape. The farmers are actively involved in the decision-making processes, thus shaping a sustainable industry.
You can enjoy milk at home without a guilty conscience. There are dairy farmers throughout Germany who operate their farms transparently. These farms can be visited to see the quality and animal welfare for yourself. By doing so, you're doing something good for the animals, for people, and for the environment. You can also easily find such products in organic shops or consumer cooperatives.
Plant-based drinks are certainly a good alternative, especially from an ecological perspective. CO2 emissions and water consumption during production play a significant role in the equation and are simply better for milk alternatives. Therefore, their use is absolutely recommendable from both an ethical and taste point of view if high-quality milk is not an option for everyday consumption.
Do you already pay attention to the milk you drink? Or do you perhaps already drink plant-based alternatives?
Let us know and see you next time!
Your SIMON&BEARNS Team
Whole milk, organic milk or oat milk? - Milk alternatives & what you need to know as a barista!
As announced in our last blog post, this week we're focusing on milk and its plant-based alternatives. Of course, a plant-based diet already justifies the use of milk alternatives. But how do soy, oat, or almond milk compare to regular cow's milk in coffee, and whether latte art works just as well with them? We'll explore all of this this week. Enjoy reading, and let us know what you prefer to enjoy your coffee with!
3 Facts About Cow's Milk
The classic: coffee with milk. That's how most people drink their coffee at home. But what effect does milk have on our coffee?
Fact 1: Milk makes coffee less bitter.
Sounds logical? It is. The fat content binds the acids in the coffee, making them less noticeable. The overall taste becomes milder and smoother. However, high-quality coffee doesn't taste bitter even without milk – the key is the choice of coffee beans and the correct roast level.
Fact 2: Milk slows down the absorption of caffeine.
Yes, really! Anyone hoping for a quick pick-me-up from caffeine should drink their coffee black! The ingredients in milk or coffee creamer slow down the absorption of caffeine in the body.
Fact 3: Fatty and protein-rich milk is particularly suitable for coffee specialties.
Absolutely right! A fat content of 3.5–3.8% improves the taste, and a protein content of at least 3.3% creates particularly beautiful milk foam. So try to focus less on the calories and concentrate fully on the taste. That way, your morning coffee will become even more of a highlight!
7 alternatives to cow's milk:
Soy milk:
Soy milk, as most people know, is made from soybeans and belongs to the legume family. With a protein content of 3-4%, it froths beautifully and is particularly well-suited for cappuccino with latte art. The taste of soy is best described as earthy with a hint of sweetness.Unfortunately, soy is constantly making headlines for all the wrong reasons. A noteworthy alternative, considering both its ecological footprint and the future challenges facing agriculture, is lupin milk. Sweet lupins can be cultivated in our climate, are resistant to both frost and heat, although their flavor isn't quite perfected yet, as they tend to make coffee more bitter. We hope that some progress will be made in this area!
Oat milk:
Oat milk is made from fermented grains. During this process, the starch is converted into sugar, giving the plant-based milk a pleasant sweetness. Oat milk froths easily and is therefore well-suited for latte art. However, the strong grain flavor quickly overpowers the taste of espresso, which isn't to everyone's liking.Rice milk:
Rice milk is made from whole grain rice and water. On its own, it has a strong rice flavor, which is hardly noticeable in a cappuccino. Unfortunately, its low protein content of approximately 0.2% makes it impossible to froth. But warm, as a latte, it's a real hit! Therefore, rice milk is increasingly found blended with oat or soy milk, as well as flavored as vanilla or cocoa rice milk.Almond milk:
Almond milk is made from roasted and ground almonds and water. The mixture is left to infuse for several hours and then blended together in a blender. Almond milk froths beautifully, but is a bit too acidic for cappuccino. This milk alternative is a great addition to an alkaline diet and thus contributes to a healthy lifestyle.Pea milk:
This plant-based drink consists of proteins derived from split peas, water, and rapeseed oil. Pea milk is naturally lactose-, allergen-, and gluten-free, as well as vegan. Despite the obvious differences, this milk alternative comes close to the taste of cow's milk.Coconut milk:
Coconut milk has a high fat content of 15-25%, depending on the amount of water. Therefore, the fat separates quickly from the water in the packaging, so it should always be shaken well before use. Coconut milk isn't recommended for cappuccino, as it doesn't produce a nice foam and the taste can become a bit watery. However, in summer, it's a real flavor sensation with cold brew, making coffee incredibly refreshing. Definitely give it a try!So what now? Cow's milk or plant-based milk?
Unfortunately, taste isn't the only factor here. We constantly see and hear about horrific conditions in the dairy industry. Therefore, we cannot support factory farming. Nevertheless, we certainly don't demonize the use of milk, as we also enjoy it and find coffee tastes incredibly delicious with it.
We pay close attention to the origin, quality, and welfare of both people and animals when it comes to our milk, just as we do with our coffee. For example, we source our milk from the Berchtesgadener Land dairy, a cooperative of 1,800 dairies, where the average dairy has 27 cows. This allows us to support small farmers and the preservation of the landscape. The farmers are actively involved in the decision-making processes, thus shaping a sustainable industry.
You can enjoy milk at home without a guilty conscience. There are dairy farmers throughout Germany who operate their farms transparently. These farms can be visited to see the quality and animal welfare for yourself. By doing so, you're doing something good for the animals, for people, and for the environment. You can also easily find such products in organic shops or consumer cooperatives.
Plant-based drinks are certainly a good alternative, especially from an ecological perspective. CO2 emissions and water consumption during production play a significant role in the equation and are simply better for milk alternatives. Therefore, their use is absolutely recommendable from both an ethical and taste point of view if high-quality milk is not an option for everyday consumption.
Do you already pay attention to the milk you drink? Or do you perhaps already drink plant-based alternatives?
Let us know and see you next time!
Your SIMON&BEARNS Team