When people used to go to the coffee shop, if they wanted a latte, they had to have it with dairy milk. There were no other options. If they were vegan or didn’t want to drink dairy milk, they were out of luck.
Thankfully, these days, the world has caught onto the fact that dairy milk isn’t necessarily the best option for many reasons. As viewers learn in the new film “Coffee Wars,” in order to produce dairy milk, farmers artificially inseminate cows, injecting them with hormones so that their bodies think they’re pregnant and produce the milk. Humans then drink that milk, alongside the health and ethical challenges that come with it. The hormones in our milk can damage our bodies, and milk cultivation has devastating environmental consequences.
Watch the trailer for Coffee Wars here:
Jo Hanson, the main character in “Coffee Wars,” coming out in mid-March, knows all this. Played by Kate Nash, the coffee shop barista-entrepreneur is a devoted vegan who will do anything to convince people that vegan milk is better than cow’s milk – including entering the fiercely competitive World Barista Championship with a recipe for a delicious vegan milk latte.
The film features different kinds of vegan milk that taste just as good as dairy milk but are healthier and better for the planet. Itching to try some milk alternatives in your coffee after watching Jo take the World Barista Championship by storm? Here are three vegan milk alternatives you can try the next time you make or order a latte of your own.
1. Almond Milk
Almond milk is made from, well, almonds and filtered water. Some types contain sugar, while others do not. Commercial brands include thickeners and preservatives to extend their shelf life as well as flavors like chocolate and vanilla. One cup has 39 calories (compared to 103 calories in a cup of cow’s milk), and it’s a great source of Vitamin E. In “Coffee Wars,” almond milk is Jo’s vegan milk of choice to create her signature latte.
2. Oat Milk
Oat milk is made from oat groats or steel-cut oats that are soaked in water and blended, then strained. One cup of oat milk contains 120 calories, so it’s a bit more caloric than almond milk. However, it’s also thicker and creamier and has more protein and fiber than almond milk and cow’s milk.
3. Soy Milk
Soy milk is made from soybeans and, if fortified, comes with essential omega-3 fatty acids. Foods and drinks that contain soy are associated with a lower risk of heart disease and lower blood pressure, too. One cup of plain, unsweetened soy milk has 100 calories and 7 grams of protein, so it could help you feel fuller and more satiated than almond or oat milk.
Finding Your Vegan Latte of Choice
“Coffee Wars” inspires us to change the world by avoiding the use of animal products and the exploitation they perpetuate, one vegan latte at a time. Make sure you check out the new film with your favorite vegan latte – whether it’s made with almond, oat, or soy milk – in hand.
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Anthony is a passionate food enthusiast living in the bustling food scene of New York City. With an insatiable curiosity for culinary exploration, he loves exploring the city’s diverse eateries, seeking out unique flavors and sharing his gastronomic adventures with fellow food lovers.
