Hello milk lovers! Today’s topic is about diverse facts regarding oat and almond milk. The oat milk vs almond milk dilemma became strong in the past year or so, because of the sudden popularity of oat milk.
Why did oat milk become so popular nowadays? The reputation of oat milk increased because of its very similar dairy milk-like texture and taste, plus it is full of vitamins and minerals. Even though both oat and almond milk are plant-based, they have differences. Keep reading to find some of them.
Oat milk vs Almond milk-production method
The production process of oat milk is very simple. The first step is soaking oats in water. After that comes oats grinding and straining. The result is plant milk that can be used in everything, from cereals to coffee and baking.
It is also a great option for people allergic to nuts. Pretty cool, right?
The production of almond milk is very similar to oat milk making. Production technique includes soaking and grinding almonds. After filtering the almond pulp, a milky liquid is obtained. The other way to make almond milk is to add water to almond butter.
What do oat and almond milk taste like?
If you haven’t tried oat or almond milk yet, you probably wonder how they taste. Even though words can’t truly and precisely describe the taste, here is some basic information about oat and almond milk taste.
Oat milk tastes a lot like cow’s milk, but it has an oaty aftertaste, which is expected. This type of milk is naturally sweeter and thicker than many non-dairy kinds of milk. Despite its sweetness, oat milk is still very light.
The taste of almond milk is different from oat milk taste. It has a little bit of nutty flavor and a hint of sweetness. One interesting fact is no matter how long it has been refrigerated it never seems as cold as cow’s milk. Weirdly, it can taste a bit warm.
Are oat and almond milk gluten-free?
Oats by themself are gluten-free grains, but many of them are cross-contaminated with some gluten ingredients.
That means, not all oat milk types are gluten-free. So, if you have celiac disease or you are sensitive to gluten products, make sure to use oat milk that is certified as gluten-free. You can check some of Oatly’s gluten-free oat milk.
Almond milk is naturally gluten-free. Most commercial brands that make almond milk are gluten-free as well, check out the labels on flavored almond milk, just to be sure there is no gluten in it.
Are oat and almond milk vegan?
As a plant-based milk alternative, oat milk is suitable for vegans. It doesn’t contain lactose, dairy, soy, or nuts.
Almond milk is vegan-friendly and it is a great choice for lactose intolerant people or those who don’t want to consume cow’s milk. Almond milk is very easy to make and is cholesterol-free.
Can oat and almond milk be heated?
The logical question is can you heat oat milk. Luckily the answer is yes. You can safely heat oat milk like any other milk.
If you make homemade oat milk, it can thicken a little bit when heated, so you can use optional oil to prevent that. The good thing about oat milk thicker consistency is that it can be a great vegan choice for gravies and sauces.
Almond milk can be heated like any other type of milk too. You can enjoy it warm or cold, in tea or coffee, or simply in cereal. Cooking and baking are also manageable with almond milk.
Health benefits of oat and almond milk
Studies show several oat and almond milk health benefits. Check out some of them.
Health benefits of oat milk
- Excellent source of B Vitamins
B vitamins are crucial for optimal health. They combat oxidative stress, improve nails, hair, and skin, elevate mood. Oat milk is full of vitamin B 12 which keep your nerve and blood cells healthy.
- May lower blood cholesterol
Oat milk contains high amounts of beta-glucans – a fiber with great heart benefits. Beta-glucans are responsible for reduced cholesterol absorption.
- Excellent for bone health
Oat milk is usually enriched with calcium and vitamin D, which are great for your bones. Calcium is very important for healthy bones because the calcium is forming them. Vitamin D is also essential because it supports the absorption of calcium from the digestive system.
If you like, check out more information about oat milk benefits.
Health benefits of almond milk
- Low in calories
If you are trying to lose some weight but love drinking milk, the almond version is a solution for you. Almond milk has fewer calories than cow’s or oat milk. It can be confusing because almonds are nuts that are high in fat and calories, but that does not apply to their milk version.
- Low in sugar
The unsweetened version of almond milk is a very good choice when avoiding sugar. Commercial versions of almond milk can contain some sugar, so be sure to check the product label. A good way to limit daily carbohydrate intake is to use almond milk.
- High in vitamin E
Almonds are naturally rich in vitamin E so is almond milk. Vitamin E is a natural antioxidant that combats stress and inflammation in the body.
It helps in the prevention of cancer, heart disease and has great effects on eye and bone health. Vitamin E also appears to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Oat and almond milk calories
Check out the comparison below and see how many calories and nutrients has one cup of unsweetened oat or almond milk:
As you can see, oat milk has higher numbers when it comes to pretty much everything. It is a good source of protein and fiber.
This is due to the different structures of oats and almonds as well as different production methods. The process pulls some white color and flavor out of the almonds but it pulls more carbohydrates out of the oats.
Is oat milk or almond milk better in coffee?
When it comes to choosing the right plant-based milk for coffee everything is about personal preferences. But, there are some recommendations based on the texture and taste of milk. Oat milk became extremely popular in latte preparation.
This type of milk thickens and gets creamy during the heating process. It has a very similar and somewhat sweet taste to dairy milk. On the other hand, almond milk is not creamy and has a little bit of a nutty flavor, so it may not be the first latte milk choice for some people.
Is oat milk or almond milk better for tea?
If you are more of a tea person, you probably love to mix your favorite tea with a few drops of milk. If you don’t like milk curdling in tea and you only use dairy-free milk, then the best option is oat milk. Here’s why.
Oat milk is a great non-dairy alternative. It is very creamy, has a smooth consistency and flavor, and most importantly, never curdles. The higher curb amount makes the oat milk a very nice and sweet addition to tea or coffee.
Almond milk has a lower density, it’s not creamy, and tends to curdle in hot drinks, so if you don’t like curdle, skip the almond milk in hot beverages.
Check out some of the best tea options that go well with milk. You can buy them on Amazon.
Is oat milk or almond milk better for baking?
When it comes to baking oat milk stole the show again. Let’s see why. Again, it’s the more dairy-like texture. Oat milk creamy consistency is great for baking.
For example, if you bake muffins with oat milk you will get muffins that taste almost equally like the ones made with dairy milk. The muffins made with almond milk can be a bit dry because almond milk lacks a cream-like texture.
You can read this great recipe for blueberry lemon corn muffins made with oat milk and find more details about various milk types for baking.
Is oat milk or almond milk better for smoothies?
Smoothie lovers can have indecision problems when it comes to choosing the right type of milk for their favorite smoothie. For this issue, the truth is it’s all up to personal taste.
Some people like light-texture smoothies, others love the creamy, more dairy-like flavor.
You can choose almond milk for lighter smoothies, and oat milk for a more buttery taste.
When it comes to post-workout smoothies, both oat and almond milk are good choices for an after-gym drink. If you like trying out new recipes, you’re going to love this easy blueberry smoothie recipe.
You can even try making it with oat or almond milk instead of yogurt.
Is oat milk or almond milk better for oatmeal?
Oatmeal porridge can be prepared with different types of milk. For non-dairy consumers oat or almond milk is a great choice. If you want your oatmeal to have a bit of nutty flavor, you can use almond milk.
But, be aware that the consistency of almond milk is a little watery so your oatmeal can have a lower density. If you are allergic to nuts or simply like the creamy texture more, you can choose oat milk.
You can enrich your oatmeal with some fresh fruits, that way the taste of the oatmeal can be better, but with less sugar. Check out this tasty blackberry oatmeal recipe The good thing is that you can prepare it with both almond or oat milk.
Oat milk vs almond milk – which one to choose?
In the end, it doesn’t matter what type of plant-based milk you choose, as long as it suits your taste. Certainly, both oat and almond milk can go better with particular food or beverages, but everything is changeable.
Just make sure you are not allergic or intolerant to any of their ingredients, and enjoy the beautiful taste and benefits of non-dairy milk.
