The ABC of plant-based milk alternatives

Vegan milk alternatives have several advantages over milk products from animals: The production is usually more sustainable than that of conventional cow's milk and they contain no cholesterol or saturated fats. In addition, plant-based milk alternatives are not only suitable for vegans, but also for people with lactose intolerance who want to enjoy the occasional cappuccino.

Pro: Almond milk is particularly suitable for people with gluten intolerance, as this plant-based milk alternative is gluten-free. Almond milk also convinces with its nutty taste.

Con: Almond milk can form flakes in coffee. In addition, a lot of water is required in the production of almond milk. Anyone who pays particular attention to the sustainability aspect should opt in for another milk alternative.

Pro: Coconut milk is rich in potassium, sodium and magnesium and contains healthy fatty acids. It is also particularly suitable for cooking and baking, especially for rice pudding and other desserts.

Con: Coconut milk has an intense taste of coconut that does not go well with all dishes and drinks.

Pro: Hazelnut milk contains many healthy fatty acids and is rich in calcium and magnesium. Besides, hazelnut milk also scores - as the name suggests - with a nutty and pleasantly sweet taste.

Con: In terms of protein content, hazelnut milk is significantly behind the other plant-based dairy products. Due to the low protein content of 0.5 g, hazelnut milk is also not particularly suitable for making milk foam.

Pro: Oat milk has a particularly good ecological score compared to other plant-based milk alternatives, as the used oats mostly come from regional cultivation. In addition, oat milk provides just as much fiber as animal dairy products.

Con: Oat milk has a low protein content compared to other plant milks. Furthermore, some oat milk variations may have a grainy aroma and taste.

Pro: Pea milk has recently established itself as a particularly popular milk alternative. The high protein content makes the pea milk a healthy milk alternative for the vegan diet. The pea milk also convinces in terms of taste with its mild sweetness and slightly nutty note.

Con: The milk product made from yellow split peas is still relatively new on the plant-based milk market. For this reason, the selection of different manufacturers of this vegan milk alternative in Germany is still quite small.

Pro: As the name suggests, rice milk is made from rice. In contrast to other plant-based milk alternatives, rice milk has the typical white color, which we also know from milk products by animals.

Con: Compared to other plant-based milk alternatives, rice milk is low in nutrients and has a watery consistency.

Pro: Soy milk is the most popular vegan milk alternative in Germany. Due to the high protein content of around 4.0 g, it is ideal for frothing.

Con: Soy milk contains isoflavones, which are structurally similar to the hormone estrogen. The effects of isoflavones on our health have not yet been adequately researched. However, moderate consumption is considered harmless.

In addition to the plant-based milk alternatives mentioned, there are also many other plant-based milk products made from various types of grain and nuts. Depending on the use of the plant-based milk - whether for baking, for coffee foam or for cereals - there is always a suitable vegan milk alternative. However, tastes are different! Try some varieties of plant-based milk alternatives to figure out which one is the best for you!