Who doesn’t love a good potato? Whether it is mashed, baked, boiled, or shaped into a french fry, almost everyone has tried one at some point in their life. But have you ever thought of adding a potato to your coffee? What about your cereal? No? It could be time for you to rethink that. The potato is now the star of the latest dairy-free milk alternative set to take the world by storm. We’re here to see what all the talk is about.
What Is Potato Milk?
Simply put, potato milk is a plant-based milk alternative made from potatoes. In early 2022, a Swedish-based company, DUG, decided to launch this alternative in 220 supermarkets in the UK. It was a smart move considering other milk alternatives such as oat, soy, almond, and pea milk have been becoming more popular. But why the potato? That question can also be answered simply. Potatoes are more sustainable.
When compared to the other milk alternatives on the market, potato milk appears to be slightly superior. Potatoes are easy to cultivate and can be grown almost anywhere, they are more land efficient than growing oats, they require less water than oats, and they have a carbon footprint that is 75% lower than that of cow’s milk.
The Potato Milk Claims
The first to introduce potato milk, DUG, has made a few claims when it comes to its popular product. Other than sustainability, they’ve also pointed out that potatoes are high in antioxidants and also feature protein, fibers, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. This isn’t exactly news to us, but one thing that does help potato milk stand out in the milk-alternative world is that it can be a great alternative for people with certain allergies or sensitivities.
For the coffee lovers out there, there’s another claim being made by the makers of potato milk that you may be interested in. According to potato milk makers, this dairy-free coffee addition is creamy, won’t separate, and makes perfect foam in your coffee without the unwanted curdles other alternatives cause. How can this be? It’s thanks to the emulsion of the potatoes and rapeseed oil.
Is Potato Milk Available in the US?
Unfortunately, potato milk isn’t available in the United States just yet. This means if you want to give it a shot, you’ll have to wait, travel across the pond, or try to make your own. Yes, there are several recipes online giving you an outline that will help you craft your own version of DUG’s new drink but keep in mind that it’s not as easy as it sounds. DUG’s potato milk is a highly processed product which means an exact recreation in your kitchen isn’t likely. However, you can come up with something similar while you wait for its arrival in the US.
Why the Need for Milk Alternatives?
You may be wondering why so many dairy-free milk alternatives make a splash as the next big thing. One of the main reasons is that dairy milk, or cow’s milk, is hard for so many people to digest. This leaves those suffering from this issue dealing with stomach pains, bloating, and even worse issues if they continue their intake of dairy. Milk alternatives are a way to combat this and allow those that are lactose intolerant to enjoy the taste of milk without the upset.
Another reason many people are turning to dairy-free milk is the concern they have for the environment and the dependence on animals for the product. Often cows are introduced to hormones or antibiotics. If this is the case, those who drink cow milk can be introduced as well. Also of growing concern is the impact on the environment when it comes to animal farming. This is why many who aren’t lactose intolerant prefer a dairy-free option.
Final Thoughts
While most of us are left waiting when it comes to trying potato milk for ourselves, it is nice to know that another popular dairy-free milk alternative is making waves. Having options when it comes to our drinks is a great thing. If you suffer from allergies or sensitivities to dairy, potato milk may be the creamy alternative you’ve been dreaming about.
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