Milk Alternatives for Your Coffee
Don't Sacrifice Taste With Milk You Don't Like
Coffee drinkers are just about as loyal to their milk as they are their coffee. Cows' milk seems to be losing ground, but is there another animal we're forgetting?
Choosing the Right Kind of Milk
Who really wants their coffee black, anyway? The fierceness of just one cup of coffee can be overwhelming if it's not paired with the right amount of milk, but for most of us, it's the type of milk that really matters.
Whether it's a bad flavor or a nasty allergy that creeps into your coffee experience, making the wrong milk choice for that heavenly brew can be a downer in more ways than one. While cow's milk has been proven to offer a signifcant source of calcium, good for strengthening bones to guard against the evils of osteoporosis, vegetable alternatives have demanded a sizeable portion of supermarket real estate in recent years.
Soy and Rice Milk: Great Alternatives
Soy milk, an extract of soybeans, is high in fiber and protein. Although it lacks calcium, it is high in B vitamins and isoflavones, which means it may help prevent certain types of cancer. Its rich texture competes with that of cows' milk, but its flavor is a whole different ballgame; soy milk is definitely an acquired taste. To make up for its deficiency in calcium, most soy milk brands also offer enriched formulas.
If you are allergic to both cow and soy milk, don't fear. Rice milk serves as yet another alternative. Although not a significant source of vitamins or minerals, fortified brands are available at your local market. Because of its low demand, chances are you won't find rice milk available for consumption in most coffeehouses. And if you're inclined to try it at home, keep in mind its watery consistency won't deliver like other types of milk. That prized cappuccino recipe may have to sit this one out.
Almond Milk: For the Coffee Nut
For all of you nuts out there, almond milk is another alternative. Lacking both cholesterol and lactose, adding this to your coffee kicks up the taste without adding any calories.
And for the fearless caffeine eccentric: if cow, soy, rice or almond milk just don't seem interesting enough for you, there just may be an answer. It appears that alongside the rise of such delicacies as truffles and certain types of caviar, is another animal-derived milk. This one you'll have to hear from the horse's mouth.
Horse Milk: A Sure Bet?
According to The Draft Horse Journal, "the first reason for drinking horse milk is...medical, especially for metabolic, gastrointestinal and liver problems, but also for recovering after surgery and severe illness, cholesterol problems, allergy to cows' milk, stress, skin problems, stiff joints or just to keep fit and well." But how does it taste?
While creamy and rich from its high concentration of butterfat, it's said to have a fruity flavor. The new Coffeemate? I wouldn't bet on it. Horse milk can be quite expensive, so don't expect to see it in your local market anytime soon. Other drawbacks? If you're thinking of giving this equine alternative a whirl, think first. Those with allergies to horses won't take well to this in their morning cup of coffee.
For every distinct coffee pallet there exists yet another pallet completely devoted to the milk we mix it with, and as far as taste goes, experimenting with different types of milk can multiply the possibilities.
