Milk alternatives like oat milk are enjoying growing popularity. More and more people are now turning to the plant-based drink colloquially known as oat milk. Among many other alternatives such as almond, rice, or soy drinks, oat milk is the most popular milk substitute among Germans. Whether gluten-free, as oat milk powder, a barista version , or a cream substitute, oat drinks are versatile. But what exactly is oat milk, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of this beverage?
- What is oat drink?
- Forms/variants of oat drinks
- The advantages and disadvantages of oat drinks
- Oat drink or oat milk
- What should you look for when buying oat drinks?
- Conclusion
What is oat drink?
Oat drink, also known colloquially as oat milk, is a plant-based milk alternative made from oats. Oat grains are ground and mixed with water and vegetable oil. The resulting emulsion of water and vegetable oil also gives oat drink its familiar white color. Depending on the manufacturer, additional sweeteners or flavorings are then added to the oat drink.
Forms and variations of oat drinks
Oat drinks come in various forms and varieties, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The classic version is the liquid oat drink, found in the refrigerated section. It's ready-to-drink and ideal for quick use in coffee or cereal. One disadvantage is its limited shelf life after opening.
Another popular form is oat drink powder. This is particularly practical because it has a long shelf life and can be stored space-savingly. Mixed with water, it quickly makes a fresh oat drink. A major advantage of oat drink powder is its dosability. This allows you to prepare exactly the amount of oat drink you need, thus preventing food waste. However, some consumers find the flavor less intense than the liquid form.
There are also barista versions of oat drinks, which are specially developed for coffee specialties and offer a creamy consistency and excellent foamability, comparable to cow's milk. However, these versions can be more expensive and are not always available in all stores.
The advantages and disadvantages of oat drinks
Anyone interested in oat drinks or looking for a milk alternative may be wondering what the pros and cons of oat drinks and oat drink powder actually are. Below, we'll take a closer look. However, it should be noted that the relevance and weighting of the respective advantages and disadvantages often depend on the individual and the specific type of oat drink.
Advantage of oat drink
Oat drinks are more than just an alternative to cow's milk. One of the biggest benefits of oat drinks, especially for those who are lactose intolerant, is their natural lactose-free nature. This property makes them an ideal choice for people looking for vegan or lactose-free options. Unlike conventional cow's milk, which can be high in saturated fat, the drink, colloquially known as oat milk, is low in fat while containing valuable nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Another benefit of oat drinks and oat drink powder is their contribution to reducing the consumption of animal products. This is a crucial factor for environmentally conscious consumers, as the dairy industry is associated with high resource and energy consumption . Cows in milk production require large amounts of feed and emit greenhouse gases, whereas oats, as a grain, are far less harmful to the environment. Compared to other grains, oats require less water, and because they are often grown locally, transportation distances are also shorter.
Oat drinks are popular for their mild, nutty flavor and versatility. They're excellent for cooking, baking, and adding to coffee. Thanks to their ability to froth well, especially as a barista's favorite, they're also popular for making cappuccinos and latte macchiatos. This versatility makes oat drinks the preferred plant-based milk among Germans.
Oat drinks or oat drink powder are a healthy choice not only for vegans and vegetarians, but also for people with celiac disease , as there are many gluten-free oat drinks available. It's important to check the packaging to make sure the oat drink is gluten-free.
Oats contain important fiber such as beta-glucans, which can have a positive effect on cholesterol levels and digestion. Oat milk also provides important vitamins such as B vitamins and minerals such as calcium and iron. With a lower calorie and fat content than cow's milk, it's a health-conscious choice.
In addition to the health benefits, oat drinks, or oat milk, also contribute to environmental protection. Oat cultivation is less resource-intensive than other crops used in milk substitutes. Less water and pesticides are required, and regional cultivation shortens transport routes, thus reducing the carbon footprint. The creation of oat drink powder is an innovation that further enhances the benefits of oat drinks. The powder, which is mixed with water at home, also reduces packaging waste.
Disadvantages of oat drink
Despite its popularity, oat milk also has some drawbacks. One of the main criticisms is the addition of vegetable oils and other additives such as sweeteners, table salt, seasonings, or flavorings. While these additives are a matter of taste, they can diminish the natural benefits of oat milk or oat milk powder. Sunflower oil, in particular, which is rich in omega-6 fatty acids and is found in some varieties, can have an inflammatory effect if consumed in excess.
The calorie count of oat milk is another point worth considering. Although oat milk contains around 42 calories per 100 milliliters less than regular cow's milk , it is still more energy-dense than low-fat cow's milk alternatives. Furthermore, oat milk doesn't boast a high calcium and protein content compared to cow's milk.
Biochemist Jessie Inchauspé warns of glucose spikes caused by the sugar contained in the plant-based milk alternative commonly known as oat milk, especially when consumed in large quantities on an empty stomach. However, according to nutritionist Martin Smollich, this statement is too general and depends on individual factors.
Another problem is the packaging. Oat drinks are also sold in beverage cartons, which generate a large amount of waste. The aforementioned oat drink powder offers an alternative. Furthermore, the nutrients lost during industrial production can be a problem. Oat drinks also contain less protein than cow's milk or soy milk, making them a less protein-rich option.
Overall, oat drinks offer many benefits, but there are also disadvantages that can be more or less significant depending on the individual. Last but not least, when purchasing an oat drink or oat drink powder, you should pay attention to the ingredients to make the best choice for your individual needs and preferences.
Oat drink or oat milk
Although often referred to as oat milk, the correct term for this popular beverage is actually oat drink. Oat drinks and oat drink powder are generally known as oat milk in everyday life, but why isn't "oat milk" also written on the packaging if that's what everyone calls it? There are legal reasons for this. The term "milk" is protected by EU law .
Accordingly, only products that actually come from the udders of animals such as a cow, goat, sheep, or horse may be called "milk," and the term "oat milk" may not be used in the marketing of plant-based beverages. The only exception for a plant-based liquid bearing the name "milk" is coconut milk.
Therefore, oat drink may not be called oat milk to avoid confusion with animal milk. This also applies to variants such as gluten-free oat milk, barista oat milk, or oat milk powder. Therefore, the corresponding packaging does not say "oat milk," but rather "oat drink" or some other creative way to describe the milk substitute.
What should you look for when buying oat drinks?
Now that you know all the pros and cons of oat drinks, you might be wondering what to look for when buying one. This is relatively easy to answer, but not always so easy to find.
When purchasing oat drinks, you should pay particular attention to additives. Ideally, oat drinks and oat drink powder should not contain any added sugar, especially not processed sugar. Artificial additives should also be avoided. These are not only unnecessary for a high-quality oat drink, but they also generally offer no health benefits.
When purchasing oat drinks, you should also pay attention to the country of origin or production. Since oats grow excellently in Germany and are also produced organically in Germany, it makes sense to look for regional production. This also means short transport routes. If the manufacturer also offers its oat drink as an organic oat drink or organic oat drink powder, you can also rule out the use of synthetic pesticides.
Conclusion
Oat drinks and oat drink powder like our reoat Organic Oat Drink Barista are a popular, versatile, and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional milk. They offer health benefits such as low fat content, lactose-free status, and valuable nutrients. However, it's important to pay attention to the ingredients, especially additives like sugar and flavorings.
For a conscious diet, it's recommended to choose oat drinks with natural ingredients and without unnecessary additives. Ultimately, whether as gluten-free oat drinks, "oat milk," or oat drink powder, oat drinks offer a delicious and healthy option for anyone looking for a plant-based milk alternative.
