As the coffee industry has evolved, new coffee drinks are constantly springing up on cafe menus. Some of these third-wave coffee recipes add pumpkin puree to lattes while others use dairy-free milk.
According to Alpro, as many as 48% of coffee drinkers ask for a milk substitute when they order coffee. Many coffee drinkers choose a milk alternative because they are vegan, lactose intolerant, or on a low-calorie diet.
Oat milk is becoming one of the most popular milk substitutes because it is low in calories and sugar and contains fiber and protein. However, when it comes to coffee, not all types of oat milk are created equal.
Regular oat milk can make your coffee taste watery. Also, the heat of your coffee drink may make the milk clump or separate. For the best-tasting coffee, coffee lovers choose barista oat milk.
Let’s look at what barista oat milk can do for your coffee. Then, we’ll reveal four of our favorite barista oat milk brands.
Regular oat milk Vs. Barista oat milk (What’s the difference?)
Regular oat milk and barista oat milk have many similarities. After all, both are made with oats and have many health properties. However, some subtle differences make barista oat milk a tastier option for coffee drinks.
Regular oat milk
Regular oat milk at its essence is just rolled oats and water in about a one-to-four ratio. You can buy oat milk from stores, or make it yourself at home.
Many oat milk recipes include additional ingredients for flavor. An at-home recipe may include dates or maple syrup for sweetness, cashews for protein, plus coconut flakes, cocoa powder, or vanilla for extra flavor.
Blend your favorite combination with water in a blender and double-strain it through cheesecloth for a healthy milk substitute.
Regular oat milk can be healthy for your body and deliciously refreshing when you drink it cold. It’s not bad over cereal. However, it has a few drawbacks when it comes to coffee.
- It doesn’t froth or foam.
- It often tastes watery instead of creamy in coffee.
- The structure of oat milk changes when you add heat causing it to become lumpy or slimy.
If you want to go dairy-free without losing the creaminess of whole milk, barista oat milk is a valid option.
Barista oat milk
Barista oat milk has many properties that make it a more palatable option for coffee drinks. The exact barista oat milk recipe can vary depending on the brand. However, they should all have some common characteristics.
- Barista oat milk has a higher fat content than regular oat milk. While regular oat milk often tastes watery when you add it to coffee, barista oat milk gives your coffee a rich, creamy flavor similar to cow’s milk.
- Barista oat milk contains extra enzymes. These enzymes allow it to withstand higher temperatures and produce better foam for latte art.
Barista oat milk responds similarly to regular milk. So, you can still enjoy all your favorite specialty drinks dairy-free.
4 of the best barista oat milk brands for coffee
Now that we’ve looked at what barista oat milk is, let’s look at some of the best barista oat milk brands. Our top four choices are Oatly Barista Milk, Califia Farms Oat Barista Blend, Chobani Oat Milk Plain Barista Edition, and Oatsome Organic Oat Milk Barista Blend.
1. Oatly Barista Edition
Nutrition facts (per 100 ml): 59 calories, 3 grams of fat, 6.6g carbs, 4 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein
Oatly is a popular oat milk choice among vegan coffee drinkers. Starbucks chooses the Oatly brand to replace dairy in specialty drinks upon request and to make Nitro Cold Brew with Cinnamon Oatmilk Foam.
You can steam this oat milk to create a velvety microfoam for hot drinks or froth it into a cold foam like Starbucks. You can use it instead of creamy, pour it over cereal, or bake with it. It adds a creamy texture to coffee without tasting too “healthy.”
If you want a vegan option that acts like dairy, Oatly Barista Edition is one of the best options.
2. Califia Farms Oat Barista Blend
Nutrition facts (per 100 ml): 55 calories, 2.9g total fat, 5.8g carbs, 1.3g sugar, 0.4g protein
Califia Farms Oat Barista Blend gets high ratings from Amazon customers. This oat milk is shelf-stable for up to six months, steams well, and has a delicious flavor. However, Califia oat milk doesn’t foam or froth as well as Oatly.
This dairy substitute has a great flavor and low sugar content. Califia Farms is perfect if you want a dairy-free milk option to add directly to a hot cup of joe.
3. Chobani Oat Milk Plain Barista Edition
Nutrition facts (per 100 ml): 63 calories, 3.4g total fat, 7.6g carbs, 4.2g sugar, 0.8g protein
Chobani Oat Milk Plain Barista Edition is rich, creamy, and light on the oat flavor. Customers love that it can froth and foam, and Chobani is often more widely available than Oatly Barista.
This gluten-free, non-GMO milk is perfect for specialty drinks or as a coffee creamer. Many customers recommend Chobani Oat Extra Creamy for making cappuccinos.
4. Oatsome Organic Oat Milk, Barista Blend
Nutrition facts (per 100 ml): 76 calories, 4.2g total fat, 8.8g carbs, 5.5g sugar, 0.8g protein
Oatsome Barista Organic Oat Creamer is USDA organic and doesn’t contain artificial ingredients or use gums and stabilizers like many other brands. You can use this barista oat milk for anything from lattes to baked goods.
Customers love the flavor and note that this oat milk is heat-resistant. However, it doesn’t create much foam in a steamer or frother.
Whether you are going off dairy by choice or necessity, oat milk can be a healthy alternative. Barista oat milk is preferable in coffee because it mixes nicely into hot drinks and retains the creaminess of real dairy.
The Oatly brand is the first choice of many oat milk fans. However, any of these four barista oat milk brands are highly rated by coffee drinkers. Other honorable mentions go to Alpro and Moma (available in the U.K. area.)
For more non-dairy milk options, check out these 16 Healthy Milk Alternatives For Your Coffee.
Let us know which type of milk you prefer in your morning cuppa!
Author
Alex Praytor is a Texas native and former barista, who fell in love with espresso (and her husband) in Europe. She enjoys visiting ancient castles and the newest coffee shops with her family. When she is not teaching ESL or writing, she is honing her coffee-making craft.