Oat milk is the new star of the plant-based milk world. Not only is it rich in fibre and nutrients, but it’s more local than soy milk (rainforest concerns) and some big brands of almond milk now have concerns too, due to migratory beekeeping (leaving bees to starve, after the almonds are harvested). If you choose other plant milks, always buy from local organic and sustainable sources.
This personalised vegan oat milk mug, is an ideal way to show how you are helping cows, by the kind of plant milk you drink. This ceramic mug is designed and printed in England, and made to order, for the perfect personalised gift for your vegan loved one. It’s dishwasher-safe too, and sent in a presentation box. Bubble-wrapped for protection, so please reuse or recycle accordingly, to save waste. 11oz (standard mug size).
Most oats contain gluten, in case of allergy. Never use plant-based milks in place of baby/infant formula, talk to your midwife or doctor about suitable brands, if not breastfeeding. Keep these milks away from pets (cats actually have lactose intolerance and many nuts like macadamia and pecan are very toxic to animal friends).
Farmers may also wish to know of a wonderful idea to promote local oat milk (this basically gives help for you to start farming profitable oats for milk, which is then sold to local people – and remaining animals live out their lives in peace, akin to a farm sanctuary).
Oat milk is very creamy, and the milk of choice to make hot chocolate and vegan cappuccinos in barista bars. The main brand in shops (Oatly) is also sold in a barista version for coffee shops.
If you are concerned over lack of calcium, know that it’s really easy to get protein and calcium from a balance of plant-based foods. Drinking too much dairy can acidify the blood (which releases calcium from the bones to neutralise the PH). That’s why Asian women who walk a lot but don’t drink dairy, have stronger bones that Scandinavian and other western women who do little exercise, but guzzle down pints of milk. ‘Oat Milk Addict’ organic cotton t-shirt (50p from each sale goes to an animal welfare or environmental charity)
Make Your Own Oat Milk
Homemade Oat Milk (So Vegan) is made with a cup of rolled oats and water, with vanilla and agave to sweeten, along with a pinch of salt.If making your own plant milks, a worthwhile investment is a nut milk bag, which can also be used to make vegan cheese and doubles as a sink colander. If you don’t own a juicer, you can also use it to sieve fruits in a blender, to make fresh homemade juice.
Oat Milk Coffee Creamer (Hello Veggie)
Most commercial oat milks add lots of oil to make it frothy, more than is good for us. But oat milk does use less water than almond milk. Oat milk is naturally thick, so good to use in:
- Creamy pasta sauce (like Alfredo)
- Vegan Mac & Cheese
- Thick and creamy puddings
- Vegan lattes
- Hot chocolates
- Creamy porridge
- Vegan scrambled eggs
- Creamy soups (mushroom, tomato, chowder)
- Creamy mashed potatoes & gratin dishes
- Cheese sauce & vegan queso
One thing that oat milk does not do well is set, so don’t use it for desserts like panna cotta, custard or mousse.
Cheat (use an oat milk kit!)
- This kit to make your own oat milk takes just 15 minutes to make. It includes a classic glass milk bottle, an unbleached organic cotton muslin cloth, a coconut fibre & rubberwood bottle brush, a stainless steel reusable straw (do not use while moving nor for children), an organic cotton drawstring bag and an ultimate Oat Milk Making Guide Book.
- Northern Pantry’s Oat Milk Powder is simple to use. Made with heat-treated oatmeal and non-refined coconut fat, this creamy milk gives 4.45 litres from 450g of powder. Enriched with calcium and phosphorus, add it to tea or coffee, use it as a base for porridge, or add it to homemade sauces and milkshakes. Once mixed, it stores in the fridge for up to 5 days. Carefully seal the pack after each use.
- Joi Organic Oat Milk Powder is made with just organic oats, sold in a compostable pouch. Mix with water for a milk, or use a steam wand to froth for cappuccinos and lattes. Store in a cool dark place away from sunlight, keeps in the fridge for up to 7 days.
- Anthony’s Oat Milk Powder is made from dehydrated oats, just mix with warm water, or add to hot cocoa mix, sauce, soup, smoothies and baked goods.
- Nutribuddy sells a powdered vegan milk blend. Just add to water to make your own milk. Made from European oats, one pack contains 14 servings.
Where to Buy Good Oat Milk
Here are a few good brands of oat milk to either have delivered, or buy in stores. The difference is that they are also packed in glass, rather than plastic.
Oato delivers high-protein oat milk to your door in glass bottles, before 7am. Made with filtered water from the Lake District, the service is gradually going nationwide, and costs just over £1 a bottle. Designed to be barista-friendly, you can add a little water, to make it semi-skimmed. The date is stamped on top, use within 3 days. Includes a little locally-grown rapeseed to make amazing coffee and all waste oat bran is turned into bio-methane that feeds into the national grid, to power homes and businesses in northwest England.
Mlkman is a thick creamy milk, ideal for a micro-foam on coffee (also good in tea, coffee and on cereal). Sold in 1 litre reusable glass bottles, it’s delivered in London, Brighton and Bristol (and growing).
Minor Figures makes oat milk in Tetrapaks (including a version for baristas). It also makes canned oat lattes, for ready-made drinking. Choose from matcha, mocha, latte or black coffee. Brewed in London, after opening keep in the fridge and drink within a few days.
Rerooted is a neutral creamy milk, that effortlessly pairs with most food and drink. Made with organic oats and sunflower oil and Cornish sea salt. Try it with porridge, in smoothies and hot drinks, or for a mushroom stroganoff. The company was co-founded by a former Man United footballer, who gave it all up to open England’s first zero waste shop. From Man United to making a difference!
A Book of Oat Milk Recipes
The Oat Milk Cookbook starts off with a simple recipe to make your own budget oat milk, then offers plenty of plant-based recipes to use it, including pancakes, vegan lasagne and peach blueberry cobbler.
Oaty Inspiration from America
Here are a few international brands, to inspire just what can be made, with some plant-based entrepreneurial wisdom! Good Mylk Co sells plant-based activated creamers made from oat milk concentrate. This has no oil, but instead uses tigernuts (not really nuts) to create a rich creamy sweet milk in seconds. You can order 2 packs to make 32oz of Goodmylk or 6 packs. All made with sustainable organic ingredients.
Miyoko’s Spreadable Cultured Oat Milk Butter is free from palm oil, with a hint of sea salt. Made with organic sunflower oil, it’s also available in a Garlic Parm version.
Elmhurst 1925 offers oat milk soft serve mix. Just mix up with water, and make your very own ‘Mr Whippy style’ ice-cream. The company also offers a commercial version for cafes, restaurants and ice-cream vans.
