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TECH FEATURE

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Alternative plant-based milks like soy, oat, rice, and almond continue to rise in popularity, and can be frothed to silky perfection by many modern coffee machine milk systems. Words Bec Summer MILK MATTERS

Are they good in coffee? Alternative milks vary in flavour and texture and can complement a variety of coffee roasts. They froth well but can be easier to overheat than dairy milk – different milks require different temperatures for precise texturing to create microfoam. Soy and oat milk are similar to dairy; almond steams nicely; and rice is good for brewed coffee, but may not foam enough for a latte. Barista branded alt milks are the best for creating that creamy froth you get from cow’s milk, and many modern coffee machine milk systems will give you great results.

Who are they for? More and more people are ditching dairy for the taste sensation and health benefits of alternative plant-based milks. Alternative milks have their own distinct flavours and are a good substitute for those with lactose intolerance and certain allergies. Many are enriched with vitamins, calcium, and protein if not naturally present, making them a nutritious alternative to cow’s milk and ideal for vegan diets.

DYK? Making alternative milks basically involves soaking the plant ingredient in water, blending it, filtering out the solids, and then boiling the liquid.

THE POPULAR CHOICES

SOY Has a nutty flavour and is thicker than other plant-based milks. It’s low in saturated fat, a good source of protein, and usually fortified with calcium.

OAT Has a mild, wheaty flavour and creamy texture. A good source of fibre, protein, and unsaturated fats, and generally fortified with Vitamin D.

ALMOND Naturally sweet and full of good fats and Vitamin E, with an obviously nutty taste – some brands can be sweetened to reduce any natural bitterness from the almonds.

RICE Has a subtle, sweet

taste and is lighter than other plant-based milks. It’s hypoallergenic, but has more carbohydrates than dairy milk, making it a good choice for energetic folk.

DeLonghi EC50M Dedica Maestro Plus Compact Manual Coffee Machine

Breville the Barista Touch Impress Manual Coffee Machine This manual marvel has an Auto MilQ system featuring three dedicated settings for alternative milk texturing – simply select the type of milk and it will adjust the temperature and air injection to suit. Microfoam can be created hands-free or manually. Get step-by-step barista guidance for precise coffee extraction and

Jura Z10 Automatic Coffee Machine

Stylish, sophisticated, and simple to use, this premium automatic is an all-rounder that runs the gamut of hot and cold beverages, and supports alternative milks for both foam and flat coffees. The intelligent Product Recognising Grinder automatically adjusts the bean grind for your chosen beverage, and 3D brewing tech

A compact, premium pump espresso machine, the new Dedica Maestro Plus has a versatile Auto LatteArt system with three profiles for both temperature and texture, and will foam dairy and alternative milks at the touch of a button. Advanced Thermoblock heating ensures fast heat-up, and there are three coffee infusion settings for all types of beans.

milk frothing, and intelligent dosing and precise tamping means less mess. Select from eight popular recipes and experiment with 30 grind settings. Designed to impress, the Barista Touch is available in brushed stainless steel or black truffle models and includes barista accessories, cleaning products and tools, and a 480ml milk jug.

ensures water flows evenly through the ground coffee during hot and cold brewing. You can adjust coffee strength, brewing, water, and milk temperatures, and customise the ratio of milk to foam.

Select from single or double espresso recipes from the easy-to-use control panel, and choose your cup size – there’s up to 120mm space for mugs.

52 AUGUST 2023

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