See what we at Free-From Heaven HQ thought of a selection of the latest free-from milks to hit the aisles…
We never thought this was going to be an easy test for a couple of reasons. How do you take a sip of milk and make a reasoned judgement as you would normally have it with tea, cereals, in baking, curries etc? And secondly, how would you know what the taste was if it was already mixed in with any of the above? We did the best we could do on a simple blind taste test and I hope it gives you a good idea of what works with what!
Pip & Nut – Almond Drink Unsweetened
- Price: £2 per litre
- Great in: Cereals, baking
- Tasting notes: This is a very light, pale and watery milk that has just a subtle taste of roasted almonds. Not for drinking on its own.
Verdict: ★★★☆☆
Oatly! – Barista
- Price: £1.80 per litre
- Great in: Tea, coffee and cereals
- Tasting notes: Adds a creamy and smooth texture without compromising on taste. Is also nice on its own, and all at a reasonable price.
Verdict: ★★★★★
Plenish – Original Coconut Milk
- Price: £2.50 per litre
- Great in: Baking, soups and smoothies
- Tasting notes: Contains about three times the amount of nuts as other brands and you do get that on the tastebuds. Bold, rich, smooth and tasty.
Verdict: ★★★☆☆
Rebel Kitchen – Semi Skimmed Dairy-Free Organic Milk
- Price: £2.99 per litre
- Great in: Tea, coffee and cereals
- Tasting notes: Creamy with a hint of coconut, a perfect milk alternative.
Verdict: ★★★★☆
Rice Dream – Quinoa
- Price: £1.60 per litre
- Great in: Savoury dishes
- Tasting notes: A sweet and peppery kick. This rice-based milk alternative is full of flavour, but was not everyone’s cup of tea.
Verdict: ★★★☆☆
Ecomil – Coconut Milk
- Price: £3.49 per litre
- Great in: Coffee and desserts
- Tasting notes: Sugar-free, vegan and gluten-free, it is a very light coconut milk with a subtle hint. We found it both refreshing and tasty.
Verdict: ★★★★☆
Rude Health – Hazelnut Drink
- Price: £2.50 per litre
- Great in: Smoothies and milkshakes
- Tasting notes: Bold and delicious, this is a drink in its own right, perfect for a lazy summer afternoon.
Verdict: ★★★★☆
Koko Dairy Free – Original
- Price: £1.50 per litre
- Great in: On it’s own or in a smoothie
- Tasting notes: This comes in a 1-litre carton or a smaller 250ml ones which are great as an on-the-go drink. Delicious, sweet, light and summery.
Verdict: ★★★★★
Riso Scotti – Organic Oat Drink
- Price: £1.99 per litre
- Great in: Porridge or on its own
- Tasting notes: Strong chocolatey taste, but not overly sweet, it’s thick, creamy and just very very nice!
Verdict: ★★★★☆
Valsoia – Soya Milk
- Price: £1.75 per litre
- Great in: A sauce or homemade custard
- Tasting notes: An interesting sweet drink with a hint of vanilla. A solid alternative to coconut or nut milks.
Verdict: ★★★☆☆
Blue Diamond – Almond Breeze Nutri + Fibre
- Price: £2.40 per litre
- Great in: Cereals, smoothies or just on its own
- Tasting notes: We loved this milk. It’s thick, warming, sweet and almondy, with just a hint of vanilla – almost a milkshake in its own right.
Verdict: ★★★★☆
Vita Coco – Coconut Milk
- Price: £3 per litre
- Great in: On its own or in a cocktail
- Tasting notes: Definitely on the expensive side, but if you can find the money go for it. It’s like a coconut vanilla milkshake!
Verdict: ★★★★★