Using Flavors when Developing Milk Substitutes
Today, the dairy aisle is a diverse and magical place. You can now find dozens of milk substitutes beyond almond and soy, giving people who prefer plants more ways than ever to get their ‘dairy’ fix. Plus, as the plant-milk category develops, manufacturers add more flavorful options to their product lines to suit different tastes. After years of perfecting the formula, you can now pick up chocolate, vanilla, and creamy ‘barista’ varieties of almost any plant-based milk.
Milk Substitutes Come with Taste and Texture Challenges
In the early days, people drank non-dairy milk because of strict dietary requirements, generally for religious, health, and other non-negotiable reasons. Sadly, drinking plant-based milk often meant compromising on taste. Plant-based milk was not always a creamy and delicious standalone snack.
Compared with dairy milk, plant-based alternatives can have an earthy taste and thin or grainy texture that can be off-putting for many people. With the rise of flexitarian eating, milk alternatives have become mainstream, and brands must now cater to a wider audience that cares about taste.
Using Natural Flavors to Enhance Plant-Based Milk
Thankfully, most plant-milk manufacturers have risen to the challenge. Milk substitutes often contain added natural flavors to mask earthy undertones or make them taste more like the real deal. Some brands even offer chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry versions of their milk alternatives to appeal to curious consumers and casual buyers.
Today, there are almost no limits to what you can create with plant-based milk alternatives. It’s no longer an emerging market and dozens of dedicated buyers are ready to try new flavors that make dairy-free milk even more exciting.
4 Emerging Milk Substitutes to Try
No matter which flavoring ingredients you add, choosing the right base for your milk substitute makes all the difference in its final taste.
- Potato milk
The world’s first potato milk brand, Dug, launched in Sweden in 2021. This plant milk is thick and creamy with a natural sweetness that makes it perfect for coffee and other hot drinks. It takes less water to produce several nut milk varieties and is more sustainable than oat milk. Plus, it’s highly nutritious and packed with antioxidants and vitamins. - Sesame milk
This milk has a toasted, slightly nutty flavor without the nuts, making it suitable for people with nut allergies. Sesame seeds are a source of vitamin D, iron, potassium, and calcium, so this dairy alternative is the perfect addition to healthy smoothies, cereals, and more. You can even use black sesame seeds to make darker milk for more daring drinks! - Hemp milk
Hemp seeds contain arginine, which can help lower high blood pressure naturally and keep the veins healthy and elastic. This milk substitute is naturally thick and creamy and works well in smoothies and frothy lattes. Plus, it’s a natural source of healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. - Flaxseed milk
Flaxseeds are an excellent source of fiber, which many brands preserve when creating milk alternatives. This plant-based milk has a medium thickness and mild flavor, making it the ideal base for a range of flavored drinks and desserts. Most flaxseed milk brands fortify their products to enhance their vitamin and mineral content.
Plant-based milk substitutes are here to stay, and many people now want flavored varieties that taste delicious as standalone drinks. Natural flavoring ingredients like vanilla extract, cocoa essence, and fruit concentrate can help you enhance the taste of dairy-free milk without changing its nutritional value.
Advanced Biotech is a trusted supplier of natural food and beverage flavorings and aromatics. Please contact us for more information.