Which milk is best for coffee? - Two Chimps Coffee (2024)

Sacrilege for some, sacred to others: milk is a key ingredient no coffee lover can ignore!

Jump to the first dairy-free option ?

And why should you? Adding milk to your coffee can be a great way to:

  • Enhance coffee flavour
  • Create a slightly thicker, more velvety texture
  • Reduce Bitter tastes
  • Explore new flavours with the immense variety of milk alternatives now available

But which milk should you go for?

Is whole milk best for coffee? And how about dairy-free? Milk alternatives are accessible and extremely popular. Seriously, type ‘dairy free milk’ into Tesco online and you’ll find over 70 different options. But that doesn’t mean you’ve got to sample 70 different cups (although we wouldn’t judge if you wanted to…). Whether milk is off the menu or you’re just fancying a new flavour, we’ve got the low-down on the best milks to try.

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But first, why do we add milk to coffee?

If you like milky coffee, you’re not alone. Many people – coffee connoisseurs included – enjoy their coffee with a splash of milk. Go ahead, we say. As long as you are enjoying your brew, it’s fine by us!

If you’ve sipped and sampled and still vote milk, then stick with it. Adding milk to coffee is a great way to reduce bitterness and bring the strength down a notch. Good quality milks can also enhance the flavour of some coffees. This is particularly true for medium/dark and dark roasts; look out for coffees with tasting notes of chocolate, nuts and sweet caramel, and you’ll have a milk-kissed coffee to die for!

The texture and body will change a little, too. This is because you are adding fats and protein to the coffee, making it ever-so-slightly thicker and more velvety.

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That said, it’s worth bearing in mind that many of our speciality coffees will be sweet and balanced enough to enjoy without milk. So, if you’ve got into the habit of adding milk to way-too-bitter supermarket coffee, we’d suggest you try our freshly roasted speciality coffees just as they are. You might prefer it, you might not – just take a sip and see!

Speciality coffee is naturally sweet - find out why!

Adding Dairy Milk to Coffee

Milk is the main ingredient in many espresso-based drinks – just think of your latte or coffee shop cappuccino. Something so important shouldn’t be skimmed over (see what we did there?). Milk should be centre-stage.

Whole Milk

For many baristas, full-fat milk is the best way to achieve a sweet, creamy coffee. The fat molecules in full-fat milk coat your tongue to give you a rich drink with more mouthfeel.

Semi-skimmed Milk

Semi-skimmed milk is the most popular option in UK fridges and will work just fine in your daily brew, but the finished cup will be less sweet and a tad more watery. So, if you’re looking to upgrade your coffee, opt for milk with 3-4% fat.

Oh, and start by trying milk in darker roasts rather than ones that are light, fruity and floral – rich, toffee-like darker roasts and creamy milk are made for one another.

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Non-dairy and still delicious

Whatever your reason for going non-dairy, you still deserve exceptional coffee. And an exceptional milky coffee, if that’s your brew of choice.

So, which milk should you add?

Almond milk

Almond milk is made by soaking almonds (who would’ve guessed it?) before blending them with water and straining the mixture. This popular non-dairy option is low in calories and high in vitamins E and D, so scores pretty highly on the health front.

Almond milk can divide coffee drinkers. Some people find its texture too watery or its flavour too distinctively nutty, while others like the lovely flavour sweetened almond milk can bring to your cup. We were quite partial to our almond milk Americano and found this milk to work particularly well with a medium or medium/dark roast.

Almond milk sports a fairly high protein content, so it’s a good choice for froth and latte art. Just bear in mind that you need to heat the milk before adding it to your coffee (this is the case for most non-dairy milks). Also, almond milk tends to separate when heated, so you might find a watery layer beneath your latte art. It’ll still look lush, though.

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Soya milk

Soya milk has been a staple in the dairy-free aisle for years. Its non-distinctive taste makes it wonderfully versatile. Unlike almond milk, which has a nutty taste that only pairs with some coffees, soya milk will mix happily into any drink. It has a smooth, creamy texture and is a top choice for froth. This is why you see soya lattes on so many coffee shop menus. It can take a bit of perfecting, however, as overheating soya milk can make it curdle and leave lumpy bits bobbing about in your drink

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Rice milk

Rice is nice, yes? We think so, but maybe not in coffee. Our rice milk coffee was quite watery, and we missed the creamy texture of cow’s milk and other milk alternatives. There’s also no chance of a frothy latte as rice milk doesn’t contain enough protein to steam. That said, rice milk is the ideal solution for those avoiding both dairy and nuts. Feel free to give it a go; it’s just not a milk we’ll be going back to.

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Oat milk

Oat milk, on the other hand, did tickle our tastebuds. Made by blending ground oats with water and a little oil (for emulsification), we found oat milk to be a full-flavoured and creamy alternative. We’d even say it had a hint of full-fat milk luxury. The slight oaty taste won’t overpower your drink, and its smooth structure blends well. There’s a natural sweetness, too, which works very well in an espresso.

Gold stars for health, as well: oat milk is high in fibre, low in fat and a good source of vitamin B.

You’ll be able to get a substantial amount of foam and steam from oat milk, although the bubbles will be larger than froth made with cow’s milk. Another plus point is that oat milk doesn’t need to be warmed before adding to hot coffee – no curdling here!

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Coconut Milk

Make your brew a bit tropical with a splash of coconut milk – oh la la!

Coconut milk is made from water, coconut and rice, plus vitamins and (vegan) stabilisers. We’re not talking about the type of coconut milk you add to Thai curry here; if you’re reaching for a can opener, you’ve got the wrong stuff!

Coconut milk (the plant milk sort) has a floral, coconutty flavour. It’s quite sweet, making it a top choice if you usually take your coffee with sugar. The distinctive taste means you need to be choosey when adding it to coffee – you might find its taste too overpowering in some brews.

And the texture? We’d give it a 6. It’s not rich and creamy like oat, but certainly doesn’t share the watery thinness of rice milk. We’d give it a middle-ish score on the froth front, too, as you can use it in lattes, but they don’t always turn out the best (can be a bit too bubbly).

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Why Does Non Dairy Milk Curdle in Coffee?

Curdling is the most common issue you’ll encounter when adding non-dairy milk to coffee. Protein content and coffee acidity determine how milk reacts to your hot coffee, and the low acidity in dairy milk means it rarely curdles.

Proteins in non-dairy milk, however, often coagulate when they come into contact with acidic black coffee (because they are significantly less acidic than the coffee). Solving this issue is simple – just warm your milk alternative before adding it to hot coffee. Leaving your joe to cool a tad first is another tip in the curdle avoidance quest.

Oat milk is the exception. Generally, you can add it to coffee straight from the carton – no heating required.

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Which milk is best for coffee? - Two Chimps Coffee (2024)

FAQs

Which type of milk is best for coffee? ›

The most common type of milk used for coffee drinks is cow's milk. Cow's milk is naturally sweet and rich, making it a popular choice for coffee drinks. It also foams well and can be used for lattes. There are also plant-based milks that can be mixed with coffee.

Is oat milk or almond milk better in coffee? ›

Overall, oat milk blends seamlessly into coffee without overwhelming its natural roast flavors. Its light, gently sweet quality acts to enrich coffee instead of clashing with the taste. In contrast, almond milk can make coffee taste harsher and more one-dimensional.

What is the healthiest milk? ›

Low-fat, skim or 1% cow's milk are healthier options compared to 2% or whole milk. They contain less fat.

Which milk coffee is strongest? ›

A cappuccino is undoubtedly one of the most recognized coffee drinks around the world. The drink consists of a double shot of espresso and with equal parts steamed milk and milk foam. The result will be stronger than most milk-based beverages because there's less steamed milk diluting the espresso.

Which coffee uses most milk? ›

Latte. The latte is the largest and milkiest of the espresso and milk drinks. This makes it the most approachable. Everyone loves a simple, smooth flavored latte - even people who don't really like coffee.

What is the healthiest milk coffee? ›

Oat milk. Oat milk boasts many beneficial components, as it's void of saturated fat but loaded with protein, fibre and natural sweetness. Oats also contain beta-glucans which help with aiding heart health and lowering cholesterol.

Why does almond milk not mix with coffee? ›

There's a scientific reason why milk curdles in tea and coffee. Coffee is acidic and, when it's hot and strong, it can split the components of plant-based and nut milk, separating the water content from all of the solid protein and fats.

What is the creamiest non-dairy milk? ›

Macadamia milk

This plant-based milk variant has an even richer, smoother, and creamier flavour compared to most non-dairy milk options, and is great in coffee; or even on its own. One 120ml serving of macadamia milk contains about 25-30kcal, 2-3 grams of fat, and up to 5 grams of protein.

What tastes better almond or Oatmilk? ›

Oat milk tends to offer a sweeter taste and is naturally more thick and creamy—perfect for warm beverages in the morning and sweet treats. While almond milk is less creamy, it offers a subtle, nutty flavor that pairs nicely in savory dishes and cereals.

Why do people put oat milk in their coffee? ›

Flavour and froth

One of the many advantages of oat milk in coffee is just that. Its natural sweetness and mild oatiness will complement the taste of coffee and enhance the overall flavour experience. Froth, or foam, is also an essential part of many coffee drinks, especially when it comes to lattes and cappuccinos.

What is the best milk for losing belly fat? ›

For those who don't want to give up real milk but want to shed some extra kilos, low fat cow's milk might be your best bet. With 53 fewer calories and 5.8g less fat than regular cow's milk, transitioning to low fat might be the key to shifting those stubborn kilos.

What milk is best for heart health? ›

Almond, cashew, and macadamia nut milks, for example, are higher in heart-healthy unsaturated fats, as are soy, hemp, and flax milks. Soy milk provides the same high amount of protein found in cow's milk, but Willett noted that protein deficiency is not a concern for most U.S. adults.

Is almond milk ok in coffee? ›

If you like an extra layer of flavour, almond milk offers coffee that dimension. Having said that, it doesn't have as much protein as dairy milk and could leave your coffee with a layer of wateriness beneath the foam generated. Again, almond milk can split, like soy milk, so it's important to experiment beforehand.

Is oat milk or almond milk better for you? ›

Depends. If you're aiming to lose weight or are diabetic, almond milk with its lower sugar and calorie content might be right for you. On the other side, oat milk is high in fiber and nutrients, which boosts heart health and immunity, and helps muscle grow.

Does milk make a difference in coffee? ›

Coffee is naturally acidic, while milk is more neutral in terms of acidity. So, when you add milk to your coffee, it neutralises a lot of the acidity in the coffee and reduces some of the bitterness, which makes it more pleasant to drink. Unless you like the acidity, of course.

What milk do baristas use? ›

Traditionally speaking, baristas use cow's milk to pour latte art. To do this, they need to incorporate air into the liquid to create microfoam. “Cow's milk is the easiest to work with, and gives the best results when it comes to microfoam and texture,” Alessandro says.

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