In recent years, plant-based drinks have become an indispensable part of coffee culture. However, they raise many questions: Which drink is best for frothing? Can we even call them “milk”? And how did they even come about? In this newsletter, we will explore the world of plant-based drinks and their role in the modern diet.
🥛 What are plant-based drinks?
Plant-based drinks are liquids derived from plant sources such as soy, almonds, oats, rice, coconut, and others.
They are prepared by soaking, grinding, and filtering plant ingredients, and are often fortified with vitamins and minerals to approximate the nutritional value of cow's milk.
Their popularity stems from various reasons: lactose intolerance, vegan lifestyle, environmental awareness, or simply a desire for new flavors.
☕ Why is choosing the right brew important for coffee?
Not all plant-based drinks work equally well in coffee. For perfect foam and flavor, it's key to choose a drink with the right protein and fat content.
Soy and oat milks are known for their good foaming and creamy texture, while almond milk often requires additives for better foam stability.
Barista versions of these drinks are specially formulated for use in coffee, as they contain stabilizers that prevent separation and allow for better foaming.
🧬 How do plant-based drinks foam without dairy proteins?
Milk frothing is based on proteins that form microbubbles when heated. Plant-based beverages with higher protein content, such as soy and oat, froth better because their proteins allow for the formation of a stable foam.
The addition of vegetable oils, such as sunflower oil, also helps to improve the texture and stability of the foam.
📜 Brief historical overview
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Old recipes: Almond milk was prepared in Europe as early as the Middle Ages, and was especially popular during Lent.
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1910: Chinese biologist Li Yu-Ying opened the first soy milk factory in Paris, marking the beginning of commercial production of plant-based beverages in Europe.
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1965: In Great Britain, the company Plamil began producing soy milk, primarily intended for vegans.
- 1990: Swedish scientist Rickard Öste developed an oat drink and founded the company Oatly, which is today one of the leaders in this field.
🏷️ Milk or drink?
In the European Union, the term “milk” is reserved for products of animal origin, so the term “drink” is used for plant-based alternatives.
Nevertheless, in everyday usage we often hear terms such as “almond milk” or “oat milk”, reflecting their functional similarity to milk.
🌱 Why have plant-based drinks become so popular?
- Several factors have contributed to the rise in popularity of plant-based drinks:
- Health reasons: Lactose intolerance and allergies to milk proteins.
- Ethics: The desire to reduce animal exploitation.
- Environmental impact: The production of plant-based beverages has a smaller carbon footprint and uses less water compared to the dairy industry.
- Taste and variety: Offering a variety of flavors and textures to satisfy different consumer preferences.
🧪 What are plant-based drinks made of?
- Basic ingredients include:
- Soybean: High protein content, neutral taste.
- Oats: Naturally sweet, creamy texture.
- Almonds: Mild nutty flavor, lower protein content.
- Rice: Light texture, natural sweetness.
- Coconut: Rich aroma, higher fat content.
In addition to the basic ingredients, vitamins (B12, D), minerals (calcium) and stabilizers are often added to improve texture and shelf life.
☕ ALPRO Barista – for the perfect herbal coffee at home
If you've ever tried to make a cappuccino with a regular plant-based beverage and were disappointed by the foam, then you know how important it is to make the right choice. That's why at coffeetime.si we offer you proven ALPRO Barista beverages, which are specially created for frothing and mixing with your favorite coffee:
- 🌿 ALPRO Barista Soya – with a high content of vegetable proteins that provide a wonderfully creamy foam. The neutral taste goes well with espresso coffee.
- 🌰 ALPRO Barista Almond – a delicately nutty flavor that doesn't overpower the coffee aroma. Especially popular with lovers of lighter drinks.
- 🌾 ALPRO Barista Oats – naturally sweet taste and wonderful foam density that has won over many baristas around the world. Top choice for lattes!
- 🥥 ALPRO Barista Coconut – an exotic coconut note with a foam that captivates. Ideal for experimentation and those who want something different.