Gone are the times when vegan milk brands pretty much had only one non-dairy milk (soy) option and catered to a tiny segment of the market.
The market for plant-based milk has changed dramatically in the past few years. People are now trying non-dairy milk alternatives for a variety of reasons.
As a result, the demand has increased drastically, and we now have entire isles dedicated to plant-based milk in grocery stores.
With so many options, there has never been a better time to switch to vegan milk. But it can be difficult for the uninitiated to choose, what with so many options available in the market.
So, are you wondering which vegan milk is best?
Different types of plant-based milk work for different people and needs. Therefore, instead of identifying the specific products, I have shortlisted the five best vegan milk brands for all my fellow non-dairy milk consumers.
And, in case you’re wondering why animal milk is considered unethical, or you’re unsure about switching to non-dairy milk, check out my article “Why Go Vegan” to find out what’s wrong with the dairy farming industry.
5 Best Non-Dairy Milk Brands
Here are the best plant-based milk brands out there:
1. Elmhurst
Making plant-based milk with the simplest ingredients since 1925, Elmhurst is truly a leader in the vegan milk industry. Elmhurst’s non-dairy milk is healthy and delicious. The brand also has one of the widest varieties of vegan milk.
Whether you need non-dairy milk for drinking, specialized plant-based creamers for your morning cup of Joe, or vegan flavored milk for the young members of the family, Elmhurst has got you covered.
The brand also offers oat milk lattes for afternoon pick-me-ups and dairy-free ice cream mixes to makes your vegan meals more exciting. When buying from Elmhurst, you also can choose from nut milk, oat milk, and hemp milk. The company also offers both sweetened and unsweetened non-dairy milk options.
No matter the variety you choose, Elmhurst’s vegan milk is gluten-free, non-GMO, kosher, and free of artificial flavors.
Made with minimum ingredients without emulsifiers or chemicals, Elmhurst’s nutritious and healthy non-dairy milk set the bar very high for other vegan milk brands.
The only potential downside of this brand is its higher price point. If price isn’t a concern for you, definitely try out Elmhurst non-dairy milk.
2. Milkadamia
Milkadamia isn’t an old name in the vegan milk industry. The brand was founded in 2015 only. From its humble origins in an Australian family-owned macadamia farm, the brand has expanded to 12,000 retailers and 2,000 cafes in the U.S. and the U.K. The quality of its products explains the exponential rise in the brand’s popularity.
In the plant-based dairy category, Milkadamia offers macadamia nut milk and creamers.
Creamy, smooth, and calcium-rich, Milkadamia’s macadamia nut milk is a great alternative to animal milk. It adds similar richness to your coffee, tea, smoothies, cereals, and desserts as cow milk but is healthier and ethical.
Milkadamia offers non-dairy milk in unsweetened, lightly sweetened, and sweetened varieties for people with different dietary needs and preferences.
3. Blue Diamond
If you’re looking for an easily accessible and affordable plant-based milk brand in the U.S.A, Blue Diamond is your best option. Having been around for over 100 years, Blue Diamond is also a trusted name in the non-dairy milk industry.
The brand specializes in almond milk. Sold under the name of Almond Breeze, Blue Diamond’s non-dairy collection comprises almond milk, almond milk blends, creamers, and almond milk yogurts in a variety of flavors. You can also choose between its unsweetened and sweetened varieties, depending on your needs and preferences.
The brand claims that its vegan milk contains 50% more calcium than dairy milk. It also offers a money-back taste guarantee. Almond Breeze is also a great collection for those looking for low-calorie non-dairy milk varieties; you can even find options with as low as 30 calories per serving.
While all these factors are enough to convince anyone to give Blue Diamond’s non-dairy milk a try, what makes the brand even more popular is that the Almond Breeze range is available at almost every grocery store and is light on the pocket as well. What more could you want?
If you’re a non-dairy milk user and are not allergic to almonds, you should try Blue Diamond’s Almond Breeze collection.
4. Ripple
Ripple Foods is a California-based company that specializes in vegan dairy alternatives made of pea protein. Created with the mission to change the prevalent notion that non-dairy milk lacks nutrients and taste, the brand offers highly nutritious and great-tasting plant-based milk. Ripple Foods may not have a wide variety of non-dairy milk, but its milk products taste delicious and are lower in calories.
Ripple’s vegan milk is loaded with nutrients, has eight times the protein of almond milk, and has half the sugar of milk. According to the company, its plant-based milk also has 50% more bioavailable calcium than regular animal milk.
Additionally, Ripple offers pea milk in the following varieties:
- Original – Sweetened and unsweetened
- Vanilla – Sweetened and unsweetened
- Chocolate-flavored pea milk
The idea of pea milk may sound a little strange, but don’t worry, it doesn’t taste like peas. With its smooth consistency and clean flavor, Ripple’s rich and creamy pea milk will convert you into a fan of this newest non-dairy milk variety on the block.
In addition to regular plant-based milk, the company also offers Kids Milk, Half & Half, Protein Shakes, and Frozen Desserts. Ripple has got your whole family’s needs covered!
5. Oatly
Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Malmo, a city in the Swedish county of Scania, Oatly—as its name suggests—specializes in oat milk. What sets it apart from other oat milk brands is that Oatly’s milk production procedure keeps the oats’ natural beta-glucans (aka soluble fiber) intact, making it even healthier for your gut.
The flavor, richness, and consistency of Oatly’s vegan milk are also similar to those of dairy whole milk, making it a great option for those having a hard time switching to non-dairy milk.
Oatly offers five varieties of plant-based milk:
- Original Oat Milk
- Full-Fat Oat Milk
- Low-Fat Oat Milk
- Chocolate Oat Milk
- Oat Milk – Barista Edition
The brand also offers oat yogurt—which it named “Oatgurt”—and oat milk frozen dessert in a variety of delicious flavors.
To Sum Up – What Is the Best Vegan Milk Brand?
All the brands discussed in this article offer great-quality non-dairy milk.
However, the best plant-based milk brand may be different for different people, depending on their criteria and needs.
To help you choose the best vegan milk brand for your needs, here’s a brief guideline about which of these non-dairy milk brands are the best choice for various everyday purposes:
Best Vegan Milk for Coffee
Oatly’s original and barista versions of non-dairy milk are some of the best options for coffee.
Best Vegan Milk for Tea
Oat and cashew milk have long been considered a great choice for tea. However, pea milk has been gaining huge popularity as non-dairy milk for tea. So, do try out Ripple’s vegan milk.
Best Vegan Milk for Cereal
Blue Diamond’s Original Almond Milk goes well with cereals. Ripple’s vanilla non-dairy milk is another good option to try.
Best Vegan Milk for Toddlers
Ripple offers specialized non-dairy milk for kids. However, if your child isn’t picky or isn’t bothered with the taste of other plant-based milk, you can go for any of the brands on our list. Another option is to use flavored non-dairy milk for children.
Best Vegan Milk for Cooking
Oatly’s barista version works well for cooking and baking and gives a creamier flavor to the dish.
Best Vegan Milk for Frothing
Oat milk foams the best among non-dairy milks. So, you can either choose Oatly or Elmhurst’s oat milk for your lattes if budget isn’t a concern.
Did you find this article helpful? Are you interested to learn more about vegan brands for other popular food items? Check out my article “Best Vegan Pepperoni Brands” and enjoy pepperoni pizza even after turning vegan.
