Milk isn’t what it used to be!  

Not too long ago our milk options were whole milk, 2% & low-fat milk.

Recently the plant-based milk segment has exploded, with everything from almond milk to brazil-nut milk.

 

Plant-based milk may feel like a new trend or fad, but soya and rice milk production dates back to 1910 and 1921 respectively. However, it’s only been recently that the popularity in these dairy-free alternatives have really taken off. 

 

Plant-based milk is made by soaking and then blending a nut or grain, followed by adding water. Generally, they’re made up of 20% raw materials and 80% water. The reason a high percentage of water is used is so the consistency doesn’t become too thick (imagine rice in a risotto), this would also result in higher calories, meaning it would be less healthy.

Why has the interest and popularity of plant-based milk increased?

 

Cow’s milk isn’t suited for everyone; listed below are some of the reasons people have adopted this alternative.

 

• Milk Allergy; Between 2% & 3% of children are allergic to cow’s milk.  Symptoms can include, rashes/itchy skin, vomiting & diarrhea. However, around 80% of kids outgrow this allergy by the age of 16.

 

• Lactose Intolerance; some statistics show that 65% of the world’s population experiences some form of lactose intolerance. Symptoms are similar to children’s milk allergy and include abdominal bloating, borborygmi (rumbling stomach sounds), vomiting and diarrhea.

 

We’re not experts, so If you or your child are experiencing any of the above health symptoms, we suggest you consult your physician.

 

• Dietary restrictions; you don’t have to be vegan to want to minimize your intake of animal products. Whether it’s for ethical or health reasons, plant-based milk can fill the void of traditional cow’s milk.

 

Dairy-free milk options

 

As popularity for plant-based milk has increased, so have our options. The most common varieties (and what you’ve likely heard of)  include soy and coconut milk. However, we now have almond, brazil-nut, oat, and rice milk all readily available. 

 

We’ve partnered with the organic plant-based product brand, The Bridge, to better understand these dairy-free options and what they’re best used for.

Almond Milk

A good substitute for dairy milk when used in tea/coffee, cereal, smoothies, and cooking.  Some varieties will look as though they’re curdling however, this denotes a higher quality product and is a natural process (as with The Bridge product). When comparing The Bridge to its main competitors, we found that it had a creamier taste and a whiter appearance, more aligned with what you’d expect from traditional cows milk. It’s also gluten-free.

 

Oat Milk

This grain-based milk is a great alternative if your allergic to nuts and dairy. Oat milk is also ideal for cooking and drinking and generally cheaper than nut-based milk. The Bridge oat milk also has no added sugar (only naturally occurring) and is low in fat. If you’re looking for this product in-store it’s labeled as ‘Avena’, translating to ‘oat’ in Italian. 

 

Rice Milk

Again, a great nut alternative and The Bridge product is also gluten-free. We found when comparing this product against its competitors, that it had a sweeter taste and a better consistency due to the product’s high-quality ingredients.

Rice Milk – Vanilla Flavored

A good substitute for traditional flavored milk.  The Bridge product is gluten-free and has no added sugar, whilst using organic vanilla extract for its flavor. We found this product was less sweet than competitors, and it had a smoother aftertaste. 

 

Rice Milk – Cacao/Chocolate Flavored

As with the vanilla product, this is gluten-free and organic low-fat cocoa powder is used for flavor. This product has a rich flavor and is a great treat for kids.

 

Brazil Nut Milk

This plant-based milk product is perfect for cooking. The Bridge product has a bitter taste and has a watery consistency, which is unique compared to other plant-based milk products. This product is also sugar-free and gluten-free and uses organic brazil nut paste.

 

The Bridge range of dairy-free products are 100% vegan, cholesterol and lactose-free and are made with certified ingredients. The brand only uses natural spring water and 100% organic ingredients, without preservatives and artificial flavors. Find the range at Foster’s Airport, Foster’s Strand and Bay Market locations.

 

Why not do your own taste test? We have a wide selection of plant-based milk brands available at Foster’s.