In recent years, more and more of us have either extended Veganuary or simply chosen a plant-based dairy alternative over the classic semi-skimmed.

Dairy production leads to an awful lot of greenhouse gas emissions, and it also takes up a lot of land. As a rule of thumb, opting for plant-based milk alternatives can be much kinder to the planet.

The good news is that it’s no longer a simple choice between dairy of black coffee (although, we strongly recommend tasting many of our coffees black), as dairy alternatives are readily available pretty much everywhere in the UK.

But with so many plant-based cartons sitting on shelves, it can get overwhelming. And how sustainable is oat, soy, almond, and coconut milk, really?

We’re here to help with a rundown of the best milk alternatives, as well as the pros and cons of plant milks, to make sure you get that perfect plant-based flat white.

Soy milk

Does soy milk taste good in coffee? 

Soy milk has been a popular choice for a long time. Maybe surprisingly so, as it’s got one of the strongest flavours. Against a hardy, chocolatey espresso, this might not be a problem, but paired with a fruity, floral African coffee, it has the potential to overpower the overall taste.

Is soy milk healthy?

Soya beans contain powerful antioxidants that can help to minimise the damage of oxidative stress – which is involved in ageing and the onset of chronic disease.

It’s high in protein and research shows that this protein is the most comparable to the protein found in cow’s milk. It’s also low in saturated fat.

Why does soy milk curdle in coffee?

It comes down to heat and the coffee’s acidity – these elements react poorly with a lot of plant-based milks, so some mitigation is needed.

Allowing the coffee to cool off a bit before mixing can help, as can choosing a less acidic coffee, like a Brazilian or Colombian.

Can soy milk be foamed for coffee?

Soy has the tendency to split in coffee. But if you use a low-acidity espresso, don’t overheat the soy milk, and pour it in fairly quickly – you’ve got a better chance of getting a better cup.

How sustainable is soy milk?

Lots of the Amazon rainforest has been destroyed to make way for soy farms. So we’d recommend organic soy milk made in the US or Canada.

Oat milk

Does oat milk taste good in coffee?

Oat milk is the most popular plant-based dairy alternative. It’s creamy, thick and has a less distinctive flavour than nut milks – a dairy doppelgänger. Plus, its natural sweetness blends well with an espresso shot. But there is an oaty hint.

Is oat milk healthy?

Oat milk is high in fibre, plant-based protein and calcium. Also, many brands fortify their oat milk with added nutrients. This means it promotes bone, hair, skin and nail health. It’s still early days, but research shows that it can help with cholesterol and general gut health.

Can oat milk be foamed for coffee?

The higher fat content (compared to other alternatives) means some people favour oat milk for steaming and frothing. Part of this comes down to technique, but there’s also a number of barista-edition oat milks that are a great option. With these, it’s easier to coax out those microbubbles.

How sustainable is oat milk? 

In comparison to cow’s milk, oat milk production leads to 80% less greenhouse gas emissions and uses 60% less energy. In this sense, it’s generally considered a winner when it comes to sustainability.

Oats are also grown in cool climates. So you don’t need to worry about your carton causing deforestation.

Almond milk

Does almond milk taste good in coffee?

Some people find the taste of almond milk slightly bitter, especially if they’re using an unsweetened version. It can also overpower slightly milder coffees with its nuttiness. But the stats don’t lie – and almond milk is a very popular choice with vegan coffee drinkers.

Is almond milk healthy?

Almond milk is low in calories (as little as 30 per 100ml), and when it’s fortified, it can provide calcium content that’s comparable to cow’s milk. It’s also a good source of vitamin E, an important antioxidant which helps to maintain healthy skin and eyes.

Can almond milk be foamed for coffee?

Lots of almond milks are difficult to froth. Its relatively low protein content means it’s difficult to thicken, and the froth often separates. So we recommend opting for a barista almond milk.

How sustainable is almond milk?

Almond trees are incredibly thirsty plants, and almond milk requires more water than any other dairy alternatives. Some reports state 130 pints of water per single pint of almond milk.

Coconut milk

Does coconut milk taste good in coffee?

It depends on how much you like the taste of coconut. The taste isn’t as strong as eating a chunk of coconut, but you’ll certainly get plenty of rich flavour. You’ll also get quite a lot of that exotic sweetness, and this can overpower lighter coffees.

Is coconut milk healthy?

Coconuts have quite a high fat content, but, as coconut milk is made by mixing coconuts with water, there are plenty of reduced-fat cartons around.

Coconut milk can contain antimicrobial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory compounds which destroy disease-causing organisms. So it’s thought that it can help protect the body from diseases and viruses. 

Can coconut milk be foamed for coffee?

Yes, the high fat content here is great for microfoam, and warming the milk should stop it from curdling.

How sustainable is coconut milk?

The pluses are that coconut trees don’t use an awful lot of water, and they absorb carbon dioxide.

But as they’re only grown in tropical areas, production of the milk can mean encroaching on habitat for wildlife. Increasing global demand is only going to exacerbate the destruction of the rainforest.

There’s also been cases of worker exploitation and very low wages in coconut production. We recommend making sure your coconut milk is Fairtrade certified.

Hemp milk

Does hemp milk taste good in coffee?

It’s slightly nutty but has a mild taste, which means it won’t overpower many coffees.

Is hemp milk healthy?

Hemp milk has fewer calories but roughly the same amount of fats as cow’s milk. It has more protein and healthy fats than the majority of other plant-based milk alternatives. It’s also one of the few plant-based complete proteins.

Can coconut milk be foamed for coffee?

Yes. It creates slightly larger bubbles than you’d expect from microfoam, but it foams just as easily as oat milk.

How sustainable is hemp milk?

Hemp is very environmentally friendly. In fact, every part of the plant can be used as a construction material, so there’s very little waste if any at all.

It’s also resistant to disease and produces a lot of weed-suppressing shade. This reduces the need for herbicides and pesticides. In short, it could be a game-changer.

Best milk alternative – the verdict

When it comes to foaming ability, health benefits, sustainability and great taste in the one package, there’s only one winner: oat milk.

And we heavily recommend opting for barista oat milk, where possible – it really makes all the difference.