Healthy, creamy, and non-dairy – oat milk and its benefits have earned its brownie points as one of the best plant-based treats. While vegans have found a delicious alternative, oat milk has also proven itself beneficial for those who are lactose intolerant or have a nut/soy allergy.
Oat milk is also gaining popularity in India as more people are opting for cruelty-free and environmentally conscious health choices. The market size in India, as per a report by the IMARC Group, is said to have reached $23.46 million in 2024 and is projected to grow to $60.75 million by 2033. The report attributes this growth to the growing health awareness, rising cases of lactose intolerance and a rising demand for dairy alternatives.
A flurry of vegan brands are now available on ecommerce platforms who are investing in product innovation, which has led to more Indians learning about oat milk and its benefits.
What is oat milk?
It is a plant-based alternative to cow’s milk which is made by mixing oats with water. Oat milk is known for its benefits of being nutrient rich and easy on the gut. What sets oat milk apart from almond and soy milk is its versatility – it can be used in tea, cereal, desserts, among other things. It becomes a creamy alternative for vegans as well as those allergic to dairy or nuts.
How is oat milk made?
As the name suggests, oat milk is oats blended with water. You can soak whole oats in water. Once ready, they can be strained to remove the solids and then blended with water. The mixture will look like milk and will have a mild sweetness to its taste as the oats starch will break down into natural sugar. Additional vitamins and minerals can be added to the milk to enrich its nutrition value.
At Dancing Cow, we have added a fun twist to this process. To amplify the benefits of oat milk, this is what we do: we mix oats, with mung and milets to enhance the nutrition.
2023: The Year Of Millets
While the Indian government took significant efforts at the United Nations to declare 2023 as the year of millets, Dancing Cow also entered the markets in the very same year. Dancing Cow’s Oatish found its way to popular cafes and quickcommerce platforms. Oatish boasts of having served over a lakh customers since its inception. What made it work? Oatish has secret ingredients - mung and millets to enhance its protein, fiber and micronutrients content.
Food For Thought
We believed in fortification of oat milk with calcium and B12 to ensure that bone health and energy levels of the consumer are maintained. Oatish has no added sugar or oils so it is a gut-friendly experience for all consumers.
Safe and Sound Taste
We want to change the world, one delicious moment at a time, and hence, Oatish’s blend froths like dairy and is heat stable, even for Indian chai. Keeping in mind the purpose of plant-based alternatives and the motive to become a better planet, Dancing Cow ensures that products are crafted in vegan-only facilities with zero cross-contamination.
How does oat milk taste?
One of the most promising benefits of oat milk is how great it tastes! It is highly popular among vegans because of its creamy texture and slight sweetness. Dancing Cow’s unique oat milk recipe which includes mung and millets makes it a great alternative for dairy. Oatish is the only Indian oat milk brand that contains 15% of oat content which gives it a superior rich creaminess.
So, you can add oat milk to your regular tea or coffee or pancakes or even soups, and not feel guilty! In fact, oat milk’s mild and neutral taste makes it a great ingredient for Indian recipes as well.
What are the benefits of oat milk?
The G-OAT Ingredient
Oat milk is known to be rich in protein, fiber, minerals and calcium. A few brands may add more nutrients to make it healthier. At Dancing Cow, we also add calcium and B12 to the oat milk so it helps in aiding bone health.
Greener Pastures
Oat milk has the lowest carbon footprint as opposed to dairy, soy or almond milk production. According to a report by the World Resources Institute, oat milk uses much less water as compared to its alternatives. At Dancing Cow, we go a step ahead and plant one tree in collaboration with the Cauvery Calling project for every 12 packs we sell.
Calorie Count Check
One of the most appealing benefits of oat milk is that it can be your weight loss buddy. Oat milk does not consist of cholesterol or saturated fat and has a comparatively low calorie count as opposed to dairy or other plant based milks.
All Welcoming Milk
While vegans revel in the taste and health benefits of oat milk, it also becomes a great option for those who are looking to make environmentally conscious choices. It also caters as a great alternative for people who are allergic to dairy, soy or nuts.
Conscious Choice
If you are someone who wants to choose options that are animal cruelty-free and environmentally safe, then oat milk’s benefits are tremendous for you. There are zero animal ingredients used and its production does not harm the environment.
Read More: Why Everyone’s Talking About Oats Milk: Incredible Benefits Revealed
Oat Milk Vs Almond Milk Vs Soy Milk
Oat milk is creamy, lightly sweet, high in fibre, and the most eco-friendly with low emissions and water use. Almond milk has a nutty taste and healthy fats but needs a lot of water to produce. Soy milk is high in protein, creamy too, but has a mild bean flavour and can impact forests if not sourced well. Each has its perks — pick what suits your taste and your conscience.
Should You Choose Oat Milk?
While there are many reasons to choose oat milk as a plant-based alternative, the most crucial benefit of oat milk is its ability to be easily digestible and can be used for multiple recipes. Owing to its growing popularity, American food giant Kraft has launched an oat milk Jell-O pudding. As for the lactose and nut-allergic folks, you don’t have to give up on Baileys Irish Cream as it now offers oat milk options. So, if you are looking for an option that is good to you, animals, and the environment, then your vision aligns with Dancing Cow.
FAQs
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Is oat milk better than cow's milk?
Oat milk is sustainably made and does not include any animal ingredients. It is also a good option for those allergic to nuts and dairy.
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How is oat milk made?
Whole oats are soaked and then blended in water to make oat milk. It is dairy-free and has a creamy texture.
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Is oat milk expensive?
While oat milk may cost more than cow’s milk, it is enhanced with nutrients and calcium to make it a wholesome, healthier option.
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Is oat milk gluten-free?
Yes, oat milk is gluten-free and dairy-free. It can be used to replace cow’s milk for vegans and those who are lactose intolerant.
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Is oat milk suitable for people with allergies?
Oat milk is a great option for those who are allergic to dairy, nuts or soy. It is made from oats and water and has a rich, creamy texture.
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Where can I find oat milk?
A lot of vegan Indian brands sell oat milk on their websites and e-commerce platforms. You can buy Dancing Cow’s Oatish on our website, Zepto, and Blinkit. We also provide oat milk to leading cafes around India.