Sale is Ending soon!

Sale ends once the timer hit zero

  • days
  • Hours
  • Minutes
  • Seconds

Tea & Oat Milk - A Cup of Good Choices

September 14, 2022

Tea & Oat Milk - A Cup of Good Choices

I went to Blue Bottle Coffee the other day and ordered a matcha latte. I noted that the store's default milk is oat milk and not whole milk, as what would typically be expected. This gave me a slight pause. I know oat milk is currently very popular. Still, before this visit, I hadn't really considered that it might be made the default milk in coffee shops and other similar establishments. 

It's one thing to make an alternative milk option like oat readily available to those who prefer it, but to make it the actual default is a significant move. So, mulling over Blue Bottle Coffee's choice to take this path, I concluded that there must be more to oat milk than being a hot trend.

Millennial and Generation Z Status Symbol

Admittedly, oat milk has become the "it" milk, especially for people who are active on social media. It's one of the current markers of style and trendiness, frequently featured on Instagram and Tiktok posts by influencers and high-end restaurants. It has even replaced heavy cream and whole milk in all kinds of recipes in many dining hot spots. True enough, it isn't just Blue Bottle Coffee that uses oat milk as the default milk these days. 

group of people enjoying drinking green tea

Such are the power and influence of oat milk that the Swedish brand and oat milk market pioneer Oatly has been backed by influential figures like Oprah Winfrey and Natalie Portman. But what is it about oat milk that appeals to many consumers?

Oat Milk's Story

As what can be inferred from the name, oat milk is made from oats. Generally, it involves a process of blending steel-cut, pre-soaked oat groats and then straining the mixture with a special cloth. The liquid derived from this is oat milk. Since oats absorb water well, the resulting milk is full of the macronutrients and micronutrients, as well as the creamy, sweet taste of the grains.

Its inception dates back to the late '90s at Lund University in Sweden. A complete novelty back then, it didn't garner much interest. However, when the concept was introduced to the U.S. market in 2017 through the Oatly brand, it soon became a hit. Very characteristic of the times, much of its popularity can be attributed to the influence of social media. People have certainly seen oat milk at stores before. Still, they didn't pay it any mind until they started seeing it featured on Instagram, frequently presented in an artsy aesthetic that appealed to Millennials/Gen Z.

Oat Milk

Oatly isn't the sole player in the oat milk market these days. There are also Nesquik, Chobani, Danone, and Califia Farms. Many who love oat milk but find its cost restricting have even found ways to make homemade oat milk. Now, they don't need to go to the shops. Instead, they just have to buy their preferred coffee or tea and then make their own concoction with oat milk at home.

Oat Milk for Tea

I can say that oat milk pairs well with tea from that cup of matcha latte. It doesn't have to be matcha either. It also reportedly works well with English breakfast, Earl Gray, chai, black, herbal, etc. However, matcha and oat milk seem to make an ideal pairing. (Find out all about Matcha.)

Matcha Latte

According to research, Millennial and GenZ consumers have a definitive preference for green tea, especially matcha. These age groups display just as much interest in the story and traditions behind the tea as in the tea itself. Green tea, with its slew of health benefits and its frequent categorization as a superfood, definitely appeals to these generations that are characteristically more health-conscious. Add the seeming mystique of the Japanese tea ceremony and general Japanese tea culture, and you've got a hooked demographic.

(Learn about the Japanese tea ceremony.)

Matcha has been an "it" drink for some time now. Oat milk is understandably more of a novelty, but it has quickly endeared itself to the trendy crowd. Baristas love oat milk and often recommend it for their customers' coffee and tea drinks, if only for the lovely, smooth microfoam it brings when steamed. Customers love it because its sweet, creamy taste is similar to the dairy milk they're familiar with. Of course, oat milk consumers everywhere love it for the supposedly healthier and greener option it presents.

Pouring milk in matcha

Delving more into the genius pairing of oat milk with tea, here is a more detailed explanation of why they work so well together.

  • Oat milk balances the bitter notes of tea with its rich and creamy texture.
  • Unlike regular milk, it does not curdle when added to hot tea. In fact, blending it into hot tea achieves a latte-like feel automatically.
  • Added to hot, cold, or iced tea, oat milk, which has an earthy essence when drunk neat, takes on hints of caramel in its taste.
  • The oat flavor is very subtle. It's highly likely that the drinker won't notice the switch from dairy.
  • It doesn't compromise the health benefits of tea (or coffee, for that matter). Case in point, adding dairy milk may decrease the wholesomeness of green tea due to its fatty or allergenic content. Oat milk, on the other hand, only improves its nutritional value.

Oat Milk's Winning Qualities

The above points explain why tea is better with oat milk, but it's essential to understand why oat milk has become something of a status symbol. Indeed, its popularity would have fizzled soon if it wasn't genuinely worthy. Instead, as time passes by, its influence has only grown even more potent. So, what advantages does oat milk offer that regular daily milk doesn't? And what sets it apart from other milk alternatives?

Not a smidge of dairy 

This means that it's lower in fat than cow's milk and doesn't have the allergens associated with dairy. It's an excellent choice for those who are lactose intolerant or who are following a casein-free diet for one reason or another. Casein is the chief protein in milk that gives it its white color. However, many people are sensitive, if not downright allergic to it.

Pouring Oat milk

Millennials and GenZ are generally very careful about what they eat. Having been raised by a more protective generation of parents, today's young people tend to be knowledgeable about sensitivities and are more vigilant about avoiding them. 

That's why oat milk is steadily gaining ground. It has now edged soy milk out of second place among plant-based dairy milk alternatives. And, even though almond milk remains in the leading position, it probably won't be long before oat milk takes its place since many have an allergic reaction to almonds.

Even though there is a debate on whether oats can be considered gluten-free or not (it is in most countries), it's important to note that it's not listed among the top allergens. In fact, according to gluten.org, most people with celiac disease can tolerate oats well.

All that fiber goodness

Although there is no fiber in cow’s milk, oat milk contains two grams of it per cup serving. This is significant because fiber does so much more than make your bowel movement regular. It has beta-glucan, a soluble fiber that not only aids in digestive functions, but boosts gut health, maintains the immune system, and improves the body's ability to self-heal as well. Beta-glucan also slows down carbohydrate absorption in the gut, resulting in a more even and stable supply of sugar into the bloodstream. This makes oat milk an excellent choice for those looking to regulate their blood sugar.

Oatmeal with blueberries

While there remains a debate on just how influential the gut microbiome is on a person's overall health, many health-conscious Millennials subscribe to the philosophy and take pains to ensure that good bacteria are thriving and dominant in their gut flora. Oat milk's beta-glucan fibers certainly help bolster positive activity in the gut.

Packed with nutrients

It contains the all-important B vitamins, which are essential in the breakdown of carbohydrates for energy and the function of red blood cells. It also has bone-strengthening minerals like magnesium, potassium, and zinc, as well as copper and manganese. Besides these, oat milk also contains trace amounts of vitamins A and D. 

Oatmeal with bananas

Since Millennials and GenZ are usually more health-oriented, they gravitate to oat milk for its nutritional value and general wholesomeness. As a result of this health consciousness, they make a mindful effort to eat and drink better, and oat milk presents itself as the best milk option for their consumption.

None of the bad fats

For those still unfamiliar with fat talk, saturated fats are generally considered unhealthy, while unsaturated fats are regarded as beneficial. Oat milk has a total of 2.5g of unsaturated fat per serving. Compared to the 5g of saturated fat per serving of whole milk, it is very low calorie, making it even more appealing to those watching their weight. 

Drinking green tea together

This again explains why oat milk is a favorite among Millennials. It's not only about eating and drinking right but living better in general. This means making better choices, and that includes staying away from bad fats.

A cholesterol-free option

This is clearly not the case with dairy milk, the consumption of which could increase low-density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol levels. Reducing cholesterol intake is prudent since excessive LDL could lead to cardiovascular disease. Choosing oat milk over regular dairy milk means reducing cholesterol intake per serving by 24mg.

Pancake oatmeal banana

While Millennials now are all about seizing the day, considering their very representative hashtags of #YOLO (you only live once) and #FOMO (fear of missing out), they also care about living a long and quality life. Again, this means making good choices like keeping in check bad cholesterol, which LDL is. 

The greener choice

Land used for producing oat milk is 80 percent less than land used for dairy milk. When it comes to the other vegan milk options, oat milk uses considerably less water than almond or soy milk. Since one of the aspirations of Millennials/GenZ nowadays is a more sustainable world, many of them are very conscious about the products they use. When given a chance, they tend to opt for the environmentally-friendly choice.

Oat Milks

It seems the Millennials/GenZ are determined not to copy the mistakes of older generations. In a way, they can't be blamed for their seemingly judgmental and self-righteous mindset. They are, after all, inheriting the effects of many poor and harmful choices. A lot of them were set on this path of awareness and self-care by their GenX parents, who had been striving to do better than their own Boomer parents. As it happens, these generational differences set the stage for the Millennial and GenZ cultural touchstone that is oat milk.

Tea Recipes with Oat Milk

With all the wonderful attributes of oat milk, it's hard not to be convinced or at least interested. So if you're curious and would like to try oat milk for the first time with your tea drink, or if you're a fan but would love to not rely on the pricey stores for your fix, here are a couple of simple oat milk and tea recipes you can follow. Both are vegan.

Matcha Oat Milk Latte

Matcha Latte Art

  • ¼ cup water boiling water
  • 1 teaspoon matcha
  • ½ cup oat milk (more if that's to your liking)
  • 1 teaspoon sweetener (exclude honey if you're strictly vegan)
  • 1 teaspoon coconut butter or another plant butter

Put water, matcha, sweetener, and coconut butter together in a cup. Heat oat milk over medium-low fire for about three minutes. Froth it with a wand before pouring it over the mixture. This makes one serving.

Oat Milk Green Tea with Pearls (Boba)

Oat Milk Green Tea with Pearls (Boba)

  • ½ cup oat milk
  • 4 cups of steeped green tea
  • Sweetener of choice
  • ¾ cup tapioca pearls (boba - cook according to instruction)

This makes four servings. Divide the cooked pearls into four large glasses. Add a few ice cubes, and then follow with a cup of tea into each glass. Stir a tablespoon and a half of oat milk into each. Place the sweetener on the table so each serving can be sweetened according to taste. Make sure to serve with wide straws for the pearls.

Oat Milk Hojicha Latte

We made a short video on how to do this.

Oat Milk Hojicha Latte

 

 

Final Thoughts

 

Learning about oat milk and its great points, Blue Bottle Coffee's decision to make it its default milk makes so much sense now. It's not merely pandering to the preferences of its customers; it's mainly an ethical decision that resulted in making the deemed best milk option the default. As it happens, that matcha latte did not only taste good; it also made me feel good about drinking something healthy and eco-friendly.


Related Articles You May Be Interested

10 WAYS TO SWEETEN YOUR MATCHA GREEN TEA
GREEN TEA AND MILK: 10 WAYS TO ENJOY IT
3 MUST-TRY GREEN TEA DESSERTS
HOW TO COLD BREW MATCHA: YOUR COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE
GREEN TEA BUBBLE TEA - WHAT IS IT? WHY IS IT TRENDING? & HOW YOU CAN MAKE IT AT HOME

Get Free Bonus Content

Green Tea and Matcha Books for Bonus

If you have ever thought that Green Tea is an “acquired taste” or that it is “too bitter” to enjoy, we’re here to change your mind! We want everyone to experience the health benefits of Green Tea and show you that this can be an amazing, refreshing, and delicious drink when made correctly. With just a few tips on how to brew this powerful leaf we can change your mind about the taste and enjoyment of drinking Green Tea.

Don’t miss out on the health benefits of tea!

  • Improve health
  • Increase brain function
  • Regulate weight
  • Lower your risk of cancers
  • Reduce risk of heart disease
  • Lowers risk of diabetes

We know that you will love these tips for brewing tea and getting the most flavor and elegance out of every cup.  Sign up for the Free Japanese Green Tea Club and get this great informative manual on brewing green tea. You will learn what it is that makes it one of the most popular beverages in the world.

Sign up for Green Tea Club to Get The Two Books for Free.


Unsubscribe anytime. It's Free!

What is GREEN TEA CLUB?

Sign up free to Green Tea Club to get tips and exclusive articles about how to use your matcha and green tea for a healthy lifestyle. Green Tea Club is hosted by Kei Nishida, Author of Cook with Matcha and Green Tea and CEO of Japanese Green Tea Company.

Get free E-book "Green Tea Science – 12 Scientific Tips for Brewing Green Tea To Taste Better" By Kei Nishida - Value $9.99

Get free E-book "Matcha Lover's 21st Century Recipe Collection" By Kei Nishida (42 pages recipe book)  - Value $9.99

Get immediate access to 10% Off coupon for your first order and access to Exclusive Coupons and Specials - Value $50+

Monthly Giveaways - Value $50+

Access to New Green Tea Recipe and Health Articles - Value $50+

Unsubscribe anytime. It’s free!

What do you think about the article? Please comment below or reply me privately here!





Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.


Also in Japanese Green Tea and Health

Health Benefit Comparison - Coffee vs Tea
Health Benefit Comparison - Coffee vs Tea

May 31, 2023

Find out which common beverage is better for you: coffee or tea. From antioxidants to caffeine content, we compare their health advantages.

View full article →

Yuzu Sencha Available Now - Thank you for your help! - Survey Results and What Happened
Yuzu Sencha Available Now - Thank you for your help! - Survey Results and What Happened

May 29, 2023

Discover the journey behind our newest tea, Yuzu Sencha - a blend crafted with the invaluable insights of our Green Tea Club community. From flavor selection to final product, this unique tea encapsulates a shared passion for quality and taste. Taste the collaboration, now available exclusively on Amazon.

View full article →

Gluten-Free Hojicha Cookies
Gluten-Free Hojicha Cookies

May 29, 2023

Satisfy your sweet tooth with these delicious gluten-free Hojicha cookies. Made with roasted green tea powder, they're a healthy and flavorful treat that's perfect for any occasion. Get the recipe now!

View full article →

Steeping Guide
Steeping Guide