Remember when the only milk option for your coffee was full cream, full dairy, full calories? Neither.
Recent customer demand has seen a rapid growth in non-dairy milk and black coffee sales.
Non-dairy milk alternatives have been existing since as far back as 1896. However, the constantly increasing demand means that the list of alternatives has been on a never-ending incline, and now it’s almost impossible to keep track of what’s on the market.
So, we decided to break it down.
First, it’s important to know the options that exist. To name a few:
- Soy
- Almond
- Oat
- Coconut
- Macadamia
- Rice
- Cashew
- Hemp
- Quinoa
- Pea (it's a thing!)
However, it’s simply not realistic to source and supply every single option out there. When choosing a milk that’s right for you, it’s important to consider three things: customer demand, cost, and availability.
Recognising customer demand
Why are customers turning away from full cream milk?
Intolerances, allergies, and dietary restrictions are large contributing factors. The U.S. National Library of Medicine has estimated that 65% of people are less able to digest lactose properly after infancy.
Along with this, an increasing number of health-conscious consumers have the desire to cut back on calories (a cup of skim milk can have 3 times the number of calories as its almond opponent!)
Another major customer concern is environmental impact. Non-dairy milks tend to be better for the environment due to using less land and water, and less generation of greenhouse gases than cow’s milk.
Which is the most popular?
The IBIS World industry report suggests that soy and almond milks are relatively on par, followed by coconut and oat, but others are on the rise as more and more cafes begin to offer them.
In order to stay on top of the trend, these are the four main options to consider as full cream and skimmed milk slowly become secon-dairy to alternatives.
Not sure where to start? We offer guaranteed lowest prices on Alternative Dairy Co soy, almond and oat milk. Simply come into our Factory Outlet or order online for pickup/local delivery!