Six steps to improve your coffee with plant-based drinks
It will sound a little crazy, mix vegetable drinks with coffee. But what you don't know is that it is one of the most common things and saltupossible that may exist. There are even many reasons why it is recommended to use them. One of them is that it is ideal for those who are lactose intolerant. Or for those who do not consume products of animal origin.
If you belong to this group of people, who every time tries to consume an exquisite cup of coffee with milk. That becomes an impossible mission. Since it can be quite complicated, choosing the right product.
Another of the most frequently asked questions is: Why is the drink cut when mixed with coffee? Or What plant milk is the best to prepare a cappuccino? Fortunately, you came to the right place, as the team of experts at Incapto Coffee, will be in charge of clarifying this and other doubts regarding this topic.
What are vegetable drinks?
The healthy lifestyle is trending right now. Now more people prefer to include less processed foods with high vitamin levels in their routine. Vegetable drinks being one of the great favorites. Because not only can we include it in our coffee, it is also the perfect ingredient for desserts, among other dishes.
To give you an idea, oat consumption in the United States increased more than 170% between 2018 and 2019. This reveals that many people have stopped consuming foods of animal origin. While others do it because they are lactose intolerant or because it simply doesn't suit them. But this does not mean that, as consumers, we ignore the fact of having a cup of coffee accompanied by vegetable drinks. Make sure it is well emulsified so that the mixture has a balanced flavor and a pleasant texture.
How many types of vegetable drinks are there?
A wide range of options opens up before us. Since, there are many types of vegetable drinks. Which we will detail below:
soy
It is probably one of the best-known vegetable milks. This is because a large part of the population has replaced foods of animal origin. For one based on soy, for many decades ago. It is one of the most successful options not only for those who are intolerant to dairy. But also for those who are allergic to nuts. Best of all, it is very easy to get. Another thing we should know is that, depending on the brand and the additives, we can get a very good foam or a really bad one.
Specialists in the matter, the barista is also a key factor. That of not having good handling of the product, including the rotation of the jar. The drink will not have that desired result.
Regarding its flavor, most say it is neutral. So it works very well combining it with specialty coffee. While another number of people point out that it tastes like cardboard. It can vary, but it is quite strong.
The nutty flavor means it can work wonderfully with a coffee of South American origin. However, it causes alterations in a cup with African beans, which are characterized by having fruity notes.
Almonds
The latest records point to almond milk as the most used. Which, to the surprise of some, has displaced soybeans. Becoming the main vegetable drink. But why is it so popular? The reasons are because most involve soy with female hormones. There are also those who are concerned about the high water content used to grow almonds.
Despite being the favorite, it tends to be cut off frequently with coffee. Which is when the milk coagulates and separates, giving the drink a terrible appearance. This is quite common in an acidic coffee, as well as the differences between coffee and milk.
Almond milk, depending on its version (regular or for baristas) can be quite bitter at the first sip. But once you get over this, it turns out quite sweet and exquisite. Among other characteristics, experts assure that Pairs perfectly with light roasts. Although in cups with high levels of acidity, its flavor is altered and it will be very sour.
When making art latte, it is very easy to use and has an excellent texture.
Oats
Its neutral flavor compared to other milks of animal origin and without overpowering coffee. They make oat milk, another of the most sought after. In fact, if you have Brazilian or Ethiopian grains at home, we inform you that the union of oats with these will be one of the best mixtures.
But like everything, this will always depend on the brands. If it is very good, it could leave aside milk of animal origin. When flavor is concerned. Regarding the texture, the manufacturer and the proportion between water and oil will also influence.
In case you didn't know, some companies tried to imitate qualities of animal milk. But the results were not satisfactory at all. Since this type of products can be quite oily and dull the flavor of the coffee. Making it taste like nuts.
Fortunately, there are several manufacturers that have made plant-based milks to work with those light browns. This is due to the low content of fats and oils, without taking away the importance of coffee.
Like here in Incapto Coffee, we love to experiment. We have tried two different brands of oat milk. One designed specifically for baristas and one not.
The first thing we will do is prepare two espressos. And later, we will add the vegetable drink. Then we heat up and repeat the same procedure.
Once you finish. You will notice that vegetable oat milk, which is not designed for baristas, when mixed with coffee, curds will begin to appear. Be careful, at no time are you stating that if any brand's drink is cut, it is of poor quality. What makes the difference in this case is that the ingredients are not suitable for mixing with coffee.
On the other hand, the stabilizers that are added to drinks designed for baristas turn out to be easier to emulsify and do not end up cutting.
coconut
This option is delicious and very creamy. One of the versions that has nothing to envy of those of animal origin. Because it recreates a pleasant sensation on the palate.
Unfortunately, it contains high levels of saturated fat, which dull the flavor of the coffee. There are other products that mix coconut with other vegetable milks. With the purpose of giving body and creaminess.
Rice
It is usually known for containing more carbohydrates and favoring digestion. Its flavor is much milder than the rest. It fits like a glove for those who are intolerant to lactose, glucose and nuts.
Rice milk is quite watery and the desired texture is not achieved, specifically when preparing a cappuccino. Despite being not very intense, offers us a soft cup and a lot of flavor. As if that were not enough, this type of milk can also be used with any tea, since it does not alter any of its qualities.
As you will see, each brand adds its own ingredients. That is why, depending on the brand and the drink, the final result of our cup will change a lot.
How to use them correctly?
One of the things we must take into account is that both milk and vegetable drinks have different chemical compositions. Therefore, we must prepare them differently.
So, shortly we will reveal to you the best tips so that you can achieve a good result with any of these drinks.
1-Remember that when heating vegetable drinks at a high temperature, use coffees with pronounced acidity. And if we emulsify the drink, the only thing we will achieve is that it cuts more easily. As we explained above, when we refer to the term “cut” it means that the liquid curdles and has an unappetizing appearance.
So, as a general rule, we recommend emulsifying plant-based drinks at lower temperatures. What if we emulsified any other type of milk. To prevent it from being cut.
2- As manufacturers of vegetable drinks, they are aware of the growing demand. And the importance of this type of product in the coffee world. They have designed specific compositions to prevent cutting. So, the first thing we should do is select a drink that has been designed to mix with coffee. How can we know? Normally, the word 'barista' appears on the packaging. Where the main difference, compared to other compositions, is that they contain stabilizers, such as dipotassium phosphate. With the aim of preventing cuts when coming into contact with the coffee acids.
3-Make sure the fat content is high, so that the texture is more stable after emulsifying it.
4-You must know exactly the ingredients contained in the vegetable drinks you are going to use. Since this is surely going to influence. Both in the final flavor and the texture in the mouth of our coffee. Therefore, try to verify this information before purchasing it. At this point, two factors influence. On the one hand, the ingredients must work successfully with the coffee. And secondly, they must be suitable for the healthy lifestyle you want to lead. For example, specialists from Incapto Coffee, they advise you to buy those that do not contain added sugars. Although the drink is a little flatter.
5- Other things that you cannot ignore. The reaction of milk when it is emulsified depends on the amount of proteins it contains. Not all vegetable drinks have the same levels of protein. This means that the result will be different in stressful conditions such as when warming up.
6-We recommend you try several types of vegetable drinks. With coffees of different origins. For example, oat milk can fit perfectly with our Peruvian coffee. While coconut milk works excellent with Brazil coffee.
