Vegan and dairy-free options are on the rise everywhere, so of course Starbucks has started providing alternatives for anyone who is milk-adverse.
From almond milt to rice and oat milk, there is an abundance of options. But not all non-dairy milks are the same. Which has us wondering, what oat milk does Starbucks use in their handcrafted drinks?
What Oat Milk Does Starbucks Use?
Starbucks has been using Oatly oat milk since March 2021 to create a range of non-dairy alternatives for its customers nationwide. They use specifically the Oatly Barista Edition, which can be found at most markets like Target and Walmart.
This article takes a look at oat milk: what it is, why we drink it, and why Starbucks introduced it into their signature selection of house made artisan drinks.
What Is Oat Milk?
Oat milk is a plant milk first manufactured in Sweden in the 1990s and is made by milling oat grains in water and heat treating the resulting slurry to produce a think oat based liquid.
This liquid is then separated and refined and other ingredients, such as vitamins, minerals, sweeteners, flavourings, salts and oils are added to the final product.
Is Oat Milk Good For You?
Oat milk is high in protein, fibre, and other nutrients but low in fat. Fortified versions can be high in vitamin B, vitamin D, calcium, and other nutrients. These factors all mean that oat milk is good for your health.
However, oat milk which is sweetened or flavoured may not have so many health benefits.
Where oat milk has a starring role is actually on the environmental stage. Oat milk uses less environmental resources than traditional milk, and production result in no methane and hardly any carbon dioxide. Manufacturing also uses far less water.
Why Did Starbucks Introduce Oatly Oat Milk?
Starbucks have openly declared an ongoing commitment to sustainability. They perceive consumers as powerful agents in a “plant based revolution” and so invited Oatly on board to partner up and reduce their carbon footprint.
Starbucks have introduced Oatly oat milk as part of their non-dairy range of espressos, lattes, and iced drinks.
What Is Oatly Oat Milk?
Oatly has been around for more than 30 years, but only became of global interest through their partnership with Starbucks.
Their oat milk can be used exactly the same way we use dairy milk: for drinking, mixing, and cooking.
Oatly claim that their oat milk is tasty, creamy, healthy, and produced in a way that causes minimal harm to the environment.
They produce a barista edition oat milk which has a slightly higher fat content and which contains an acidifying ingredient to stop the milk from curdling at high temperatures.
Is Starbucks Oat Milk Gluten Free?
Oatly oat milk products are certified gluten free, so if your diet requires you to avoid gluten products then Oatly milk is ok for you.
Not all oat milks are gluten free, however, and it is always best to check the product specifications for yourself to determine its suitability.
Is Starbucks Oat Milk Sweetened?
Starbucks uses Oatly oat milk to create many of their plant based drinks, and Oatly do not add sugar to their regular oat drinks.
However, most of the Starbucks indulgence drinks certainly contain sugar, which is added independently of the oat milk, like, for example, the Iced Chocolate Almondmilk Shaken Espresso.
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Conclusion…
Although oat milk is not exactly a new product, it has recently risen to a new popularity and is now a permanent fixture on the Starbucks menu.