Plant-based milk has taken the world by storm in recent years thanks to changing attitudes about animal welfare and the environmental impact of dairy. Yet unlike many vegan products, plant milk has emerged as an unexpected global leader, with citizens across the planet opting for milk alternatives even if they wouldn’t normally exclude dairy from their lives.
While the majority of alternative milk consumers credit their switch to the socioeconomic impact of dairy farming, a large number simply prefer the taste. They’ll ask for an oat milk latte at their local coffee shop due to the creamier, nuttier texture of the drink yet continue to purchase a litre of cow’s milk over the weekend just for it to spoil before it can be poured over their morning Weetabix.
When asked about their fickle dairy habits, they’ll say that baristas somehow make their plant-based milk of choice taste better, and a home-brewed cuppa simply must be made with real milk. Consumers also credit shop-bought cow’s milk with being cheaper than alternatives – even if it might go to waste quicker.
But what if we told you that you could take control of the recipe when it comes to any type of plant-based milk, adapting the taste to suit your needs on a day-to-day basis? Not only that, but you can control the flow of plant-based milk in your fridge to ensure you’ll never want for more, nor suffer the frustrating realisation that your carton is out-of-date – resulting in a begrudged late-night walk to the shops.
Thanks to the invention of nifty at-home plant milk makers, you can achieve all of the above and more with the push of a button. These innovative home appliances allow you to control exactly what goes into the milk alternative that you consume daily, providing invaluable health benefits and an entirely tailored taste experience.
What are the benefits of making plant-based milk at home?
"Making your own plant-based milk has so many benefits, from our health to the environment to our preferences such as taste and consistency," says Harley Street Nutritionist Eli Brecher. "Health-wise, you can eliminate any additives such as emulsifiers, stabilisers, preservatives, gums and thickeners, all of which can wreak havoc on our gut microbiome (the friendly bacteria that live in our gut). You can make milk from almonds, water and a pinch of sea salt if you like, and skip the junk!".
While plant-based milk is far from unhealthy, it’s worth being weary of the host of additives which beloved brands are known to add to their recipes to imbue the alternative milk with a similarly creamy, frothable consistency to cow’s milk.
All that a plant milk maker requires is water, your nut of choice, and any additional taste alteration you desire – "In terms of taste, we can make our milk as “nutty” or “oaty” as we like, adjusting proportions of ingredients to water depending on our preferences for a thinner or thicker consistency," explains Brecher. "We can also add a drop of vanilla or a small splash of maple syrup for a touch of sweetness without having to buy a heavily sweetened plant-based milk".
Plus, for those who care about the carbon footprint of both dairy and non-dairy products (approximately 59 per cent of you, according to Oatly’s recent Grey Paper report), making plant-based milk at home is by far the greenest, zero-waste, carbon-positive solution of all.
Have you ever tried hazelnut milk with your breakfast? It makes any cereal taste as though it’s been infused with Nutella. We’ve rounded up a selection of the best plant milk makers on the market so you can give your very own plant milk recipe a go.
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Milky Plant
The latest and greatest plant milk maker to hit the market, Milky Plant delivers your favourite plant and nut milk at the push of a button.
Our favourite feature of the Milky Plant – aside from the fact that it looks chic and sleek on our kitchen counter – is the fact that it has a nifty self-cleaning function. Included in your purchase is one 500ml Milky Plant glass bottle for storing your freshly made plant milk, a user manual and access to a host of digital recipes.
Our personal favourite is the chocolatey almond milk, which is made by adding cocoa powder, agave and water. You can even use the leftover scraps to make no-bake brownies. Simply delicious. In case you thought it couldn’t get better, Milky Plant will also plant five trees with every order.
Buy now £290.00, Milky Plant
MioMat 8in1 Soy & Nut Milk Maker
Buy now £199.95, Amazon
Salter EK5258 Plant Milk Maker - Nutrient-Rich Plant & Dairy-Free
Buy now £62.99, Amazon
Soyabella Soya Milk Maker in White
If soya milk is what you want, it’s certainly what you’ll get with the Soyabella. Some plant-milk enthusiasts are loyal only to their favourite milk alternative, and soya is top of the list for many thanks to its mild taste and dairy-like consistency.
Despite its name, this gadget is nevertheless able to make a variety of other plant milks in as little as 30 seconds. Thanks to its brilliant grinder and mill accessories, you can even use the Soyabella to grind your coffee beans. Easy to use with one-touch operation, this chic and compact gadget would look fantastic in any DIY vegan kitchen.
Also available in black at Amazon.
Buy now, UK Juicers
Kilner Nut Drink Making Set
A low-tech option for those not looking to add yet another appliance to their kitchen counter, this set from Kilner can create plant-based drinks from almonds, oats, coconuts and soya – depending on your tastes.
It includes two 500ml glass Kilner jars, a stainless steel lid, a silicone pouring lid, a stainless steel press plunger, a tin screw band, as well as a recipe and instructions booklet. The only downside is that you’ll have to get your own electric hand blender.
Buy now £17.43, Amazon
Springlane Vegan Milk Maker Mila 600 ml
A fully automatic option which looks rather like a classic drop coffee machine, the Mila by Springlane is equipped to create a vast range of plant-based milks, and its ceramic, naturally anti-bacterial and non-stick mixing chamber makes switching between ingredients a breeze.
The Mila also has a fantastic 24-hour timer which allows you to time the preparation of your plant-based milk to occur automatically overnight for fresh milk by sunrise.
Buy now £149.00, Amazon
Verdict
The clear winner both in terms of looks and functionality is the fresh-on-the-market Milky Plant maker. We love its sheer versatility and the fact that it comes with a nifty reusable glass bottle for storing freshly made plant milk. Coming in close second is the MioMat.
