Mooove Over Cows Milk! Dairy-Free Milk is Here (And it’s Amazing!)
Looking to swap out your cows milk for a dairy-free alternative? Whether your choice is dictated by allergies to milk or lactose, you’ve chosen a vegan lifestyle, or simply want a healthy alternative to your favourite drink, there are a lot of milk alternatives out there! And, although we personally believe that they are all delicious in their own right, there are definitely some differences among them that are helpful to know when choosing the right one for you. In fact, here at Leo Foods, we recommend keeping a few varieties on hand to change up the flavour, texture and nutritional benefits of all your favourite foods!
Soy milk (or soja milk) is one of the thicker and creamier milk alternatives available, is lactose free and although not all brands are gluten free, Ecomil’s soja milk that we carry at Leo Foods is (it’s also organic!). Soja milk is a great day-to-day milk substitute for just about any sweet and savoury recipe, but the flavour can be less-than-neutral for some people (though not all) though, so if that’s the case for you, don’t hesitate in trying out some other milk alternatives until you find one you love!
Rice milk is thinner and sweeter than most milk alternatives, which some people love and others hate. It lends best to baking sweet dishes, especially if they contain another source of fat to add richness. It’s also naturally lactose-free but can contain gluten due to the manufacturing processes involved so celiacs should research their chosen brand carefully.
Oat milk is a thick, creamy, neutral-flavoured milk alternative that is wonderful in both sweet and savoury dishes. Remember though, that oat milk, although lactose-free and a great source of fibre, is not gluten free. At Leo Foods, we carry a few oat milk options: Oatly Blue, a “plain” oat milk that is amazing on your morning cereal, in baked goods and just about any recipe that calls for milk; Oatly Barista, oat milk specifically formulated to create that perfect frothy cup of dairy-free coffee you’ve been searching for; and Oatly Chocolate, a blend of traditional oat milk and cocoa plus added calcium and vitamins that make it a great choice for kids and for sweeter recipes like pancakes, muffins, cookies, overnight oats, or simply drinking on its own!
Coconut milk is a popular milk alternative because not only does it taste great, it’s naturally lactose and gluten-free, high in antioxidants, contains plenty of “good” fats and is rich in vitamins and minerals. It’s exceptionally creamy, perfect for blending in your smoothies or adding to your coffee, and works wonders in just about all your favourite recipes because you can easily enhance or tone down its natural sweetness and nutty flavour. Pick up sweetened (“original”) or unsweetened versions from Ecomil or KoKo at our international supermarket in Marbella or on our eShop for your sweet and savoury recipes! Ecomil dairy-free coconut cream is also available from Leo Foods and is incredible in curries, creamy pasta sauces and home-made ice cream. It also whips up perfectly just like heavy cream to top cakes and puddings.
Cashew milk is the most neutral-flavoured nut milk available and blends into super creamy sauces and soups. It’s often used in milk-free cheese recipes because it doesn’t curdle or split when boiled or when acidic ingredients are mixed into it but also works equally well in sweet dishes that call for a fatty milk alternative ingredient. Want to try it out in your favourite recipes? Pick up Ecomil organic cashew milk from the Leo Foods cash and carry warehouse in Marbella or order it online and have it delivered straight to your door along with a host of other healthy foods we carry!
Like cashew milk, almond milk is another nut milk that is both gluten and lactose free. Here at Leo Foods we carry Ecomil Almond Milk and Ecomil Almond Cream, which are both organic and sugar-free with a nuttier flavour than cashew milk but not as strong as coconut milk or cream, making them a good middle ground in terms of flavour and texture when looking for a nut milk alternative for your soups, sauces, oats, baked goods, home-made ice cream, smoothies and more. If it’s an amazing cup of coffee you’re after though, you’ll want to pick up Ecomil’s Barista Almond Milk. It has all the same flavour as their original but is formulated to build a beautiful froth – a must-have ingredient for bars, cafes and restaurants who want to deliver the best dairy-free coffee to their customers. Don’t forget to sign up for a Leo Foods trade account to get the best in wholesale pricing and packaging across all our international, speciality and healthy foods and drinks!
For a rich dairy-free milk that’s strong in sweetness but somehow also low in sugar, saturated fats and calories, hazelnut milk is the best option. It’s got a dark colour and an intense nutty flavour that blends with cocoa perfectly for any sweet recipe you can imagine (try a choco-banana smoothie made with hazelnut milk – you won’t be disappointed!). It’s also a not-so-guilty way to treat yourself when making your morning coffee or cup of hot chocolate. Pick up Ecomil Hazelnut Milk from Leo Foods for a delicious way to go dairy-free!
There are so many options available when switching from cows milk to a dairy-free or lactose-free version, but that’s a great thing! Fine-tune all your recipes and transform them into something even better with a host of milk alternatives from Leo Foods that taste great and offer a full spectrum of nutritional benefits that your body and your taste buds will thank you for!
