Category • Alternative Milk

Oat milk vs soya milk

Alex | January 31, 2023

Plant-based milks have become increasingly popular over the years, and for good reason. Whether you’re lactose intolerant, vegan, or just looking to switch things up in the office, there are plenty of options available. Two of the most popular choices are oat milk and soy milk, and today, we’re going to dive into the pros and cons of each one.

Overview of oat milk

First up, let’s talk about oat milk. This delicious, creamy alternative to dairy milk is made from oats that are soaked, blended, and strained to create a milk-like consistency. It has a mild, slightly sweet taste and is a great choice for coffee. Oat milk is the most popular plant-based milk in the UK with sales doubling in just a year. In fact, Brits spent a staggering £146 million on oat milk in 2020 and overall, Brits spent £394m on plant-based milk in 2020.

One of the best things about oat milk is that it’s high in fibre and fairly low in calories so if you’re watching your weight, it’s a good option. Plus, it’s super easy to find in supermarkets and local stores and is often more affordable than other more speciality plant-based milks on the market.

Overview of soy milk

Next up, we have soy milk. It’s made from soybeans that are soaked, blended, and strained, just like oat milk. It has a slightly nutty taste and is a good source of protein vitamins and minerals. It’s also low in saturated fat and cholesterol-free.

Research suggests that consuming soy products may have potential health benefits such as reducing the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer. Like oat milk, it’s widely available and affordable.

Environment

Both oat milk and soy milk are far better for the environment than cow’s milk, mostly because of the methane emissions that come from animal agriculture. But which is greener? Well, when it comes to environmental impact, oat milk production has a lower carbon footprint compared to soy milk. Oats are a more sustainable crop to grow, and the process of producing oat milk is less resource-intensive than soy milk. This means that if you’re looking to make a more eco-friendly choice, oat milk is the way to go.

What’s best in my coffee?

Now, let’s talk about how each of these milks works in coffee. Oat milk’s creamy texture and mild taste mean it tastes great in say a latte or cappuccino. It foams nicely and doesn’t overpower the taste of your coffee.

Soy milk, on the other hand, has a slightly thicker consistency, but it also works well in your cup of coffee. It froths in coffee and doesn’t have a strong taste. Some plant-based milks however are prone to curdling and soy is one of them. To help stop your soy milk curdling, you can pour it into your cup first and gradually add in the coffee. Oat milk is one of the few milks which isn’t prone to curdling making it an ideal choice for your office.

What’s right for my office?

Of course, whether you opt for soy milk or oat milk in your office, we recommend you ask your team for their input. At the end of the day, what you choose comes down to personal preference.

A lot of offices provide their team with at least one plant-based milk to offer that choice. So if you’re looking to upgrade your office coffee experience, take a look at dual milk coffee machines. These are fairly new to the market but are a convenient and most welcome addition to office life.

If you need a hand or any advice, just get in touch with our team. We offer free consultations where we’ll come to your office and help you to define your requirements. Alternatively, you can drop into our London showroom for a free coffee experience session where we’ll demonstrate our machines and you can sample multiple coffee beans and milks.