The Rise of Non Dairy Milks

I have noticed a welcome change in supermarkets, there are more and more non dairy milks on the shelves each week. Whether people are choosing them because they are vegan, for health reasons or simply because they enjoy the taste the sections in the supermarkets are growing all the time. 

Every time I shop I notice new products, the latest one I've seen is Cashew milk from Alpro which joins it's non-dairy nutty friends hazelnut and almond. Nut milks are one of my favourite as they have a great flavour and add delicious taste to porridge, cereals or baking. Of course people could make these products at home by blending nuts and water but like most items convenience wins out. 

The fact that there are more options shows that more brands are realising the demand for vegan products and are trying to win the market with ever more creative products. I've seen bulk buying options for soya milk, mixed flavours of vegan milks and even chocolate non dairy milk by the litre. It is a world away from the days where your only alternative to cows milk was soya hidden somewhere in the supermarket on a dusty shelf. Non dairy milks now have there own sections which is increasing every day. 

I welcome this change and enjoy trying new products, I only recently tried hazelnut milk and love it which just shows you don't know what you will enjoy until you give it a go. The rising range of non dairy milks also shows how veganism is increasing in popularity all the time. Supermarkets only supply what is popular as they are all about making money, I wonder how long it will be before the non-dairy section is bigger than the dairy isle, maybe they'll get rid of it all together because who needs cows milk when there are so many healthier, delicious options available. 

Adding flavour to a cake

One way to add flavour to a cake without having to use flavourings is to add a none dairy milk which already has flavour in it. This rice milk from Rice Dream is vanilla flavour meaning it can be used to add moisture and blend a cake mixture while also adding flavour. 

What's great about this brand is the milk is also organic so it makes the cake healthy right? I like using non-dairy milks in cakes as I find them a great alternative to eggs for blending a cake mixture. I do this by adding small amounts of the milk to the batter of dairy-free butter, sugar and flour until it has reached a nice consistency and then cooking it. This method makes a really moist cake. Trying different milks is a great way to experiment with your baking. I liked using this brand, it didn't give the cake a strong flavour but it added a subtle sweetness which was delicious and not over powering. 

There are so many ways to make baked goods vegan, it is all about attempting new options and realising that you really don't need dairy or eggs to make a delicious cake. 

The Benefits of Almond Milk

I have recently been drinking Almond milk, I never thought I'd move away from Oat milk but I am really enjoying this non dairy milk in tea, for baking and on cereal. It is perfect for everything and also have a lot of health benefits. If you haven't already tried it give it a go, it comes in sweetened and unsweetened versions. 




The health benefits are: 

• It is low in calories, meaning it is great for anyone trying to lose weight or watch their calorie intake
• It is a source of calcium, meaning it is a perfect alternative to cows milk and you know you are drinking something that is good for your bones 
• With no cholesterol or saturated fat it is great for your heart health 
• It is a source of vitamin D which works to improve your mood and reduces your risk of Arthritis and Osteoporosis 
• It improves your immune system 
• It contains protein and B vitamins making it great for muscle function, helping your muscles grow and heal 
• It is easily digested as it contains fibre 
• It has a low impact on your blood sugar, as long as there are minimal additives meaning it is great for reducing your risk of diabetes as it is an alternative to sugary drinks
• It is great for your skin as it contains vitamin E, increasing your intake of Almond milk will keep your skin healthy and glowing

There are so many health benefits to Almond milk it should definitely be on your list of non-dairy milks to try and add to your daily diet. The unsweetened version is great for anyone who doesn't necessarily like the taste of almonds and it is not overpowering in hot drinks. Give it a go to improve your health. 

Fancy a Cuppa?

A nice cup of tea is an English classic. It's also enjoyed all over the world, can you imagine a world withou tea? Let's not even think of it! 

Tea is also one reason why some people believe they could never go vegan. "But I couldn't give up milk in my tea" I've heard this plenty of times, I used to say it myself. 

When I was thinking of going vegan I started trying different non dairy milks- there are more than I imagined- Soya isn't your only option and you need to try them all to find out which one you prefer. I didn't like the taste of soya mik in a cup of tea, it didn't taste the same. I tried a few others before I found oat milk. 

Oatly have an organic oat milk drink, it is the best addition to a cup of tea. It makes the tea creamy but doesn't change the taste of a classic brew. I recommend it to anyone who loves a cup of tea and believes dairy milk is the only thing that tastes nice. You'll realise that you don't need dairy milk at all and other options can actually taste nicer. Give it a go.