Best-Tasting Plant-Based Milk

Dairy alternatives are taking over the market! Awareness programs on the health risks of dairy products are all around us. If you are attempting to change over to plant-based milk from dairy products, now’s the best time.

However, with the different varieties of plant-based milk alternatives in the market, it might be difficult to pick one to match the taste. This is why we decided to make this informative guide on which plant-based milk you should go with.

The Different Types of Plant-Based Milk Alternatives

Here are some of the most popular types of milk alternatives as well as our top picks for the best-tasting non-dairy milks out there!

Soy Milk

Soya milk or Soy milk is made from soaked and ground soybeans. The creamy milk is then fortified with vitamins and minerals to produce a healthy beverage that’s perfect for drinking by itself or adding to your coffee, tea, smoothie, or cereal. Soy milk is sweeter than most plant-based milk alternatives. 

Soy milk also has more protein than other milk alternatives. It is a great addition for vegans who are trying to hit their macros.

Organic Soy Milk by Westsoy is our top pick! It is tasty and unsweetened, making it so much healthier for you!

Almond Milk

Almond milk is creamy with a nutty taste. This non-dairy milk is very popular because of its versatility. We just love how well it goes in drinks! Almond milk makes the smoothest shakes and the tastiest of coffees. 

Almond milk is rich in vitamin E. It has lower calories when compared to dairy milk, which makes it great for daily consumption.

We love the Organic Vanilla Almondmilk by Cadia. Free from sweeteners, it is a delicious healthy substitute for dairy milk.

Cashew Milk

Cashew milk tastes a lot like Almond milk. It has a similar nutty taste, but cashew milk feels a bit milder. Many refer to cashew milk as having an earthy taste.

This vegan milk is low in calories, sugar, and cholesterol. Its healthy nutritional profile makes it great for daily consumption.

Here are two of our top picks for Cashew milk from Pacific Foods. Their Original Cashew Milk is slightly sweetened and amazing in beverages or by itself. The Unsweetened Cashew Milk is great for daily use if you’re avoiding sugar. 

Rice Milk

If you have a nut allergy, rice milk is the way to go. Most consumers feel that rice milk has a watery texture when compared to other options on the market. This plant-based milk is naturally sweeter than the others on our list. We love how mild and delicious it is. This is because of the carbohydrates that get converted into sugars during the manufacturing process.

Oat Milk

Oat Milk is relatively new to the market. The delicious beverage is produced from oats paired with additional thickeners and sometimes oils to give it a milky texture. Oat milk has a mild flavor and the creamy texture of the milk is very pleasant. We believe that in general, oat milk is the closest to cow milk in terms of taste and consistency.

Oat milk is heavier than other milk alternatives. It has a lot more calories and protein. But oat milk also has more fiber content than others, which makes it a very healthy choice for a balanced diet.

Versatile, delectable, and highly nutritious; the Organic Oat Milk by Pacific Foods is one of our top choices of oat milk.

Coconut Milk

Coconut Milk is produced by milking the rich white flesh of the coconut. Even though it has “nut” in its name, coconuts are not classed as nuts. Therefore individuals with nut allergies can safely consume coconut milk.

Coconut milk has a rich and fatty texture and a coconutty taste. The milk is low in protein and calories but it has a high-fat content. However, there are a lot of brands that have coconut milk with reduced fat content, so there are multiple options available with this delicious drink.

Simple, yet perfect, Coconut Milk by Native brings in everything you need onto the table. It is unsweetened and can be used for both cooking and beverages.

Unconventional Milk Alternatives

These dairy-free products are new to the market. They are tasty but have difficulties in replacing dairy milk. The texture and the aftertastes might not be for everyone!

Flax Milk

Flax milk is a dairy-free beverage produced from flaxseed. The milk is creamy and has a texture that is very similar to that of whole milk. The delicious nutty taste is fascinating because flax milk is nut-free.

However, flax milk has a slightly bitter undertone. While some may prefer the bitterness to be an exotic trait of the beverage, others might not. This milk is rich in fibers and has a good protein content. It also has omega-3 fatty acids which work wonders in preventing heart disease and diabetes.

Gluten and allergen-free, Flax Milk by Malibu is a real treat. The vanilla flavor is perfect for coffees and the unsweetened variant makes the most delectable cakes.

Macadamia Milk

Macadamia milk has a very delicate compared to some nut milks. It has a slight nutty flavor as expected, but it does not overpower the taste of the food or drinks it is in!

The milk is creamy and smooth. Even though macadamia milk has a bit more fat than most, it does not affect the texture of the liquid. The sweetness of macadamia milk is perfect for beverages and makes mouth-watering smoothies.

Macadamia milk by Milkadamia is a hot pick amongst coffee enthusiasts. The natural sweetness of the milk makes the most wonderful tea as well! The nutty, yet delicate taste of macadamia greatly complements hot beverages, giving them an exquisite taste.

Walnut Milk

Walnut milk has a color similar to that of chocolate milk. It is much thicker than most nut milks, with a mild taste. Depending on the brand, the taste may differ, but most have a slightly nutty taste.

Walnut milk is very beneficial for brain health. It is rich in antioxidants and fiber making it a very healthy addition to one’s diet. It is also low in carbohydrates which helps the consumer to keep their calories in check. The natural fatty acids present in the nut are a bonus.

How We Rank The Taste of Plant-Based Milk

It is not easy to pick a single non-dairy milk as “best tasting” because of the different variables at play. Therefore, we broke it down into three simple categories.

• Cooking and baking
• Daily drinking
• Beverages

Best non-dairy milk for cooking and baking

When it comes to cooking and baking, the plant-based milk alternative has to be stable under heat. Also, the milk should be able to help the food hold its structure. The taste of the milk should also go well with the ingredients without overpowering them.

Our choice of plant-based milk that tastes the most like cow milk for cooking and baking is soy milk. Soy milk has a mild taste and when it is used in cooking, the taste blends right in. The creamy texture of the soy milk makes mixing ingredients a breeze. The protein in the soy milk will create a strong batter that will hold up the structure when baking.

However, certain foods will require a bit more fat to bring out the taste. In such situations, we recommend using coconut milk instead. The rich fatty milk of the coconut is a perfect substitute for whipped cream. Coconut milk when whipped gives a wonderful taste and a fluffy creamy texture.

Best non-dairy milk for everyday drinking

When it comes to daily use, we recommend almond milk. The milk is very similar to dairy milk in texture. The creamy milk is very easy to drink and some even prefer the nutty flavor of the almond as it adds a kick to the drink. Almond milk works well with other flavors because its natural taste does not overpower the flavoring. As it is very popular, you can easily try a wide range of flavors to match your taste.

If you have a nut allergy or you want a change from almonds, oat milk is what we recommend. As it is a whole grain, it brings in a lot more calories and nutrition. The mild taste of oat milk is very close to that of cow milk and doesn’t have nutty undertones, which makes it the preferred choice for many.

Best non-dairy milk for beverages

We love oat milk when it comes to smoothies and other “cold drinks”. The creamy texture of oat milk is simply delicious. The mild sweetness of oat milk will further enhance the taste of your homemade smoothie.

When it comes to tea, coffee, and other hot drinks, we recommend almond as our top pick. However, you do need to be cautious when making hot beverages with it as it can curdle. To prevent this, warm the milk slowly which will allow it to retain its texture. 

Choose Wisely

We recommend you to pick two plant based milk products. One will be for daily consumption and the other for baking and cooking. This will allow you to get the tastiest results without sacrificing food stability. For starters, pick almond milk and soy milk. These two milks are the standard. You can branch out from there to find what suits you the best!