For those who are lactose intolerant or just looking for a lower-fat and lower-calorie dairy substitute, it’s easy these days to find an alternative to milk. Milks derived from soy, rice and almonds have been growing in popularity at a fast rate. According to a recent report released by research firm Packaged Facts, the total retail sales of dairy alternative beverages in the U.S. reached $1.33 billion in 2011. Of the alternative milks, almond milk posted the largest gains the same year.
There are numerous reasons people choose to pass on milk – plant-based milks are great replacements for those with milk allergies, lactose intolerance, genetic disorder PKU (phenylketonuria), vegan lifestyles, or those seeking overall healthier choices (good nutritional value with no hormones or antibiotics sometimes found in cow’s milk).
Almond milk, for example, is rich in protein, omega fatty acids, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium and zinc while containing no cholesterol or saturated fats.
“Currently, the most commonly known and popular of the commercial plant milks is soymilk. Following in consumer recognition and consumption are almond milk, rice milk and coconut milk, in that order of preference. Additionally, hemp milk, oat milk, hazelnut milk, flax milk, sunflower milk and multigrain milk are available at the retail level, although they enjoy only a very minor market share.”Read the rest here.
These alternative milks have made their way into recipes as well. Not only are they great to drink but excellent in cooking, even baking!
Coconut milk
You are probably used to seeing cartons of soy, rice and almond milk in the refrigerated section of your favorite grocery store, but have you checked the international foods or Asian aisle yet? You’ll likely find canned coconut milk though it’s generally not meant as a dairy drink substitute. Very popular in Asian cuisine, coconut milk (which is the juice derived from grated coconut meat), is used in a number of popular dishes like curry, for instance. It is a ubiquitous ingredient found in dishes from countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysian, Philippines, Burma, India, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and even Brazil, Caribbean islands, Polynesian islands and Pacific islands.
In terms of nutrition, coconut milk contains high levels of saturated fat (actually, it is rich is medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), which the body processes differently than other saturated fats and is known to promote weight maintenance without raising cholesterol levels) and calories. This is mainly true for the canned variety, however, these days, there are newer coconut beverages with better nutritional profiles, like the So Delicious® Coconut Milk Beverage.
Check out this video tutorial on cooking Panang curry (Thai traditional dish) featuring the use of Aroy-D brand coconut milk. Looking for some other uses of coconut milk? Run a YouTube search query for cooking with coconut milk and you’ll see how popular this ingredient is, with nearly 2,800 video results!
With these current trends, it is highly advisable to incorporate milk alternatives into your restaurant menu in order to accommodate your guests’ differing needs.