This oat milk recipe is one of the best you’ll find simply because of how delicious it turns out! Quickly learn the reason why oat milk has taken over the US in popularity. The milk alternative industry has steadily increase within the past decade. A prominent player in the industry is the company Oatly.

Oatly started in Scandinavia. Introduced by the Danish company Ingredion in the late ’90s, the sweetener was a bit of a hit there. Still, it didn’t catch on until 2000. Australia, the Netherlands, the UK, and others launched the product in earnest. Its success became steady and predictable worldwide in the early 2000s, and now, Oatly is sold in more than 30 countries. (Oatly does not ship to China, though the company hopes to add this country to its export network in the future.) It’s not a massive global success by any means (IMBV did a study that showed the plant-based milk market is growing at a modest pace and is on track to exceed $6 billion by 2023). Still, it’s a massive success for a company that’s only five years old.

Is Oat Milk Healthy?

Oat milk is indeed healthy for you as it provides many nutrients. Oats are full in fiber and these promote healthy digestive systems. As a vegan foodstuff, oat milk has its place, though admittedly, it’s not as popular as almond or coconut milk. The fancy foodie crowd has also taken to its versatility, with savory pasta sauces and baked goods popping up from time to time. The big question is whether or not oat milk is good for you. Here’s where it gets confusing.

Some say that oat milk isn’t healthy and that we should put it down on the table alongside most other plant-based milk. Oat milk can’t be sustained on its own. It can be made from an entire bag of oats, but it’s hard to argue that the process used to produce it is sustainable.

Oat Milk Milling Process

There’s not much to it. Oatly’s packaging clearly says that it’s made from “milling whole oats,” which means that it isn’t milled at all. (Again, we’re not talking about milling in a mill or anything like that; what Oatly has called milling is a plant-based, vegan process that adds fiber, enzymes, and vitamins.) Most manufacturers take this word “milling” a bit further and claim that they’re brewing with oats; this means that they have removed most of the bran and germ of the oats and replaced it with a liquid. This “liquid” is usually skim milk. (Some manufacturers have their proprietary process for “milling”—but if there’s no distinction, it’s the same thing). Oatly’s oat milk probably isn’t a milkshake or a chocolate milk alternative.

What Are The Benefits Of Drinking Oat Milk?

The basics are the same as any plant-based milk, including good fats, more calcium, and more fiber than dairy milk. Oatly’s ingredients include oats, soybean proteins, almond butter, coconut oil, coconut butter, soy lecithin, vitamins A and D. Oat Milk is more similar to dairy milk than cashew milk.

The best thing about oat milk is that it’s dairy-free. It is not just “vegan,” but dairy-free, which means it won’t have any of the icky reactions reported with dairy. Plus, it’s higher in protein and lowers fat, making it suitable for those who don’t want to add on any extra calories in the form of creamer or sauce.