Oat milk is slowly becoming a favorite amongst vegan and lactose intolerance coffee drinkers. It’s plant-based and a more sustainable option than almond milk – which is a more expensive type of plant-based milk. Like myself, a lot of people likes to drink oat milk. It has a unique taste and is a cheaper alternative. However, oat milk is known to curdle specially when added to coffee. But don’t let this change your mind about this milk, in fact other type of milk curdle. There are a lot of ways to avoid this. So read on to continue enjoying your coffee with oat milk.
What Is Oat Milk?
Oat Milk is a plant-based milk that is a great non-dairy alternative to the regular cow milk. It’s great for people who follow a plant-based diet. Oat milk is also a great choice for people who are allergic to dairy and are lactose intolerance.
How is Oat milk prepared?
Oat Milk is prepared the same way other milk alternatives are made. All you need for your oat milk is water and oats. Oats and water are blended together to create oat milk. If you want something thinker, you can soak the oats in water before blending them together.
Oat milk from the grocery store is already processed and has other ingredients in it. Mostly are added sugar and preservatives to maintain the texture and add additional flavor.
Health Benefits of Oat Milk
Since oat milk is plant-based and natural, it has a lot of health benefits. This makes it more popular among coffee shops and the vegan community. Oat milk is rich in fiber, protein, and other minerals and vitamins which are essential to our body’s nutrition. It’s also lower in carbohydrates compared to cow’s milk.
Make sure to read the labels of your oat milk if you are buying from the grocery store. If you are buying it for health reasons, check if it has other ingredients or if it has too much added sugar.
Does Oat Milk Curdle in Coffee?
Oat does curdle when added to coffee. However, it only happens under specific reasons. Most of the time, it is safe to add oat milk to coffee.
Does Milk Curdle in Coffee?
The main reason why milk curdles when added to coffee is the difference between their acidity. Coffee is a drink that has naturally high acidity. This acid will accelerate the aging process of cream or milk. If you are using an older milk, it will have a lactic acid buildup which will result in it curdling even if it’t not added to coffee.
If you add a milk that has a lactic acid buildup, it will naturally curdle when added to your coffee.
Oat Milk Curdling
As we discussed above, oat milk only curdles in coffee in specific situations. While it has potential to curdle just like other milk that is used in coffee, it all depends on how acidic is your coffee and how old is your oat milk.
Although oat milk is plant-based, and doesn’t have lactic buildup like regular milk, it still functions similarly. If you add oat milk to your coffee that is about to expire, expired, or old, it will curdle.
Water that is too hot can make your coffee more acidic so always check the packaging for the recommended temperature of water. Acidic coffee can make your oat milk curdle even if it’s not or expired.
Is it Okay to Drink Curdled Oat Milk?
If your oat milk curdles when you add it to your coffee, it does not automatically mean that it’s unsafe to drink. So don’t worry too much. Milk is curdled on purpose specially in making yogurt and cheese, and even though it’s not good to look at, it doesn’t mean that your coffee has gone bad.
As long as your oat milk is not expired or old, it’s okay to drink curdled oat milk. Always check the expiration date before using a box of oat milk or any milk. Milk is usually recommended to be consumed 3 days after opening the packaging. This is to ensure that you are consuming fresh and good milk. Drinking expired oat milk or any milk is a health hazard, so never drink expired milk.
Stopping Oat Milk in Curdling
It’s understandable to want to drink your coffee without curdled oat milk. There are ways to make sure that oat milk will not curdle when added to your coffee.
- Make sure that the oat milk you will be using is fresh. Check the expiration carefully and consume your milk immediately after opening the packaging. Remember that consuming expired or old oat milk or any milk is a health hazard. Throw your milk once it smells different and if it’s past the expiration date.
- If you are using fresh oat milk, but it’s still curdling in your coffee, consider changing your coffee. Some coffee are more acidic and this can make any milk curdle. Look for a roast that is less acidic or a brand that has less acidic coffee.
- Another way to prevent oat milk from curdling is to brew your coffee in a lower temperature. Check the label to see what is the recommended temperature for brewing. You can now regulate water temperature with the latest espresso and coffee machines.
Is Oat Milk Good to Use in Coffee?
Oat milk is a great alternative to your creamer or regular milk. Although it curdles, it has great health benefits, and you can easily avoid curdling if you want to. Most often than not, you really don’t have to worry about adding using your oat milk as creamer, unless it has gone bad, or it has expired.
You can also foam oat milk if you’d like to, although it produces larger bubbles and will take some time before getting those creamy foams, you can still create art lattes with it.
Other Milk Alternatives for your Coffee
Other than oat milk, there are other plant-based alternatives you can try with your coffee. These are great substitute for people who are on a vegan diet and has dietary restrictions.
- Coconut Milk
- Soy Milk
- Hemp Milk
- Rice Milk
- Cashew Milk
- Pea Milk
- Almond Milk
Conclusion
Oat milk curdles in coffee for several specific reasons. First it can be that your oat milk is old, soon to be expires or expired. Make sure to use fresh milk for any of your drinks. Next, your coffee can be too acidic. Oat milk and other type of milk will curdle if your coffee is too acidic. If this is the case, try changing your coffee brand into something less acidic. Lastly, try lowering the temperature of your water when brewing.
Try the steps above, and you will see a curdle-free coffee with oat milk! Enjoy your coffee!
