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One of the most asked questions when it comes to Zuma Hot Chocolates is “are they vegan?” closely followed by, “what non-dairy milk is best to make a hot chocolate?”.
To answer the first question, yes, Zuma Hot Chocolate is vegan (except for the White Hot Chocolate).
As far as the second question goes, we tasked our development team to make and taste the hot chocolates and come up with a definitive list of what plant-based milks work best when making hot chocolate.
Choosing a dairy alternative is a conscious choice for many people so offering customers an alternative (or range of alternatives) allows you to easily cater for those with allergies or various dietary requirements.
Soya Milk
A common plant milk that most people are familiar with, it’s slightly sweet so keep that in mind when working with lower cocoa percentages and add-ins like syrups. The flavour of the milk is quite subtle and doesn’t hugely affect the flavour of the finished drink and the consistency is not dissimilar to cows-milk.
8/10
Almond Milk
Less creamy than a lot of other plant milks, almond also has quite a strong nutty flavour that tends to come through with the chocolate – something to keep in mind when you’re using add-ins like syrups or sauces. It’s quite thin too, resulting in a chocolate similar to one made with skimmed cow’s milk.
6/10
Coconut Milk
Creamy, thick and slightly sweet this plant-based milk creates a great texture in your hot chocolates but it also tends to add a slight coconutty taste. Great for recreating a Bounty chocolate bar but not ideal for mixing with certain flavoured add-ins.
7/10
Oat Milk
Depending on the oat milk you choose – regular or barista – depends on whether you get a thick, creamy hot chocolate or a more watered-down version. Barista oat milks are great for creating neutral hot chocolates that let the flavour of the cocoa (and add-ins) shine through much like cows milk would.
9/10
Cashew Milk
Probably one of the best plant-based milks for a thick, creamy hot chocolate. The smooth, slightly sweet and fairly flavour-neutral milk means you end up with a delicious hot chocolate and a fantastic foundation for creating hot chocolate specials with syrups and sauces.
9/10
Remember to check your hot chocolate powder is Vegan too. All Zuma Hot Chocolates (except for the White Hot Chocolate) are approved by The Vegan Society and can easily be made with any milk alternative in exactly the same way.
For more information about the Zuma range head over to the Our Collections page.
FAQs
Non-dairy milk – If you want your vegan hot chocolate to taste just like Starbucks, use almond milk or any other non-dairy milk you like or have at home. Soy milk, coconut milk, oat milk, and cashew milk are all great options! Unsweetened is best so you can control the sweetness.
What vegan milk is best for hot chocolate? ›
Cashew | If you're looking for the ultimate thick and creamy hot chocolate then this plant based milk is a great choice. Oat | A less creamy choice of milk and will add slight sweetness to the chocolate. Oat milk does work well and does not detract from the chocolate flavours.
What milk makes the best hot chocolate? ›
Using milk instead of water, makes this hot chocolate extra creamy and flavorful. I prefer whole milk or 2% milk, but you can choose any milk that you choose (I've even used unsweetened almond milk).
What is a good milk substitute for vegan chocolate? ›
Vegan chocolates made with oat milk are an excellent alternative to milk chocolate made with dairy or nuts. Oat milk chocolate has a natural creaminess, reminiscent of traditional milk chocolate. Oat milk tends to be milder than nut milks, which gives room for the cocoa bean flavor to come through.
What is the best vegan milk for heating? ›
In conclusion, when it comes to heating plant-based milk, soy milk and oat milk are the best options, while coconut milk can also be used without issue. Almond milk, rice milk, and hemp milk can be heated, but they may not work as well in certain recipes.
Is hot chocolate better with almond milk or oat milk? ›
Almond and hazelnut offer nutty nuances, while oat and soy provide creamy, sweet notes, expanding the flavour spectrum for hot chocolate lovers.
Which vegan milk tastes most like dairy milk? ›
The test made a few things clear: soy milk, at its best, tastes closest to cow's milk. Oat tastes like a sweetly nutty cereal milk while almond tastes like the water left in your sink after washing the breakfast dishes.
What is vegan chocolate milk made of? ›
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE VEGAN CHOCOLATE MILK. Add the coconut milk and rice milk to a blender, along with maple syrup, cocoa powder, chocolate chips, vanilla and salt. Blend on high for several minutes until 100% smooth.
What can I use instead of milk powder in chocolate vegan? ›
Overall, soy and oat showed the best results as an alternative to dairy milk powder in chocolate.
What is the most popular vegan milk? ›
Check out our list of the 5 Best Vegan Milks in North America in 2021.
- #1 Oat Drink. Oatly.
- #2 Organic Unsweet Soymilk. Silk.
- #3 Dark Chocolate Almond Milk. Silk.
- #4 Bebida de Almendra sabor Chocolate. Silk.
- #5 Holiday Nog Coconutmilk. So Delicious Dairy Free.
Oat Milk. Oat milk is perhaps the creamiest of all the plant milks. Its thick creamy texture means it's one of the closest plant-based milks to resemble dairy milk. Oat milk is quickly becoming a favorite non-dairy alternative to milk with popular brands like Oatly disrupting the traditional milk industry.
Which non dairy milk can be heated? ›
Heat is a common denominator when cooking or baking. And some dairy milk alternatives perform better when introduced to heat than others. For example, almond milk tends to separate when added to hot liquids. However, soy milk can be used at high temperatures without curdling or separating.
What plant milk doesn't curdle in coffee? ›
Cashew Milk
Though cashew milk tastes similar to cow's milk, it tends to be thinner due to its low-fat content. It doesn't curdle when heated like other plant-based milk, so you can add it to coffee without getting chunky. This makes it ideal for lattes or cappuccinos.
What is the creamiest vegan milk? ›
Oat milk is perhaps the creamiest of all the plant milks. Its thick creamy texture means it's one of the closest plant-based milks to resemble dairy milk. Oat milk is quickly becoming a favorite non-dairy alternative to milk with popular brands like Oatly disrupting the traditional milk industry.
Is Starbucks hot chocolate with almond milk vegan? ›
At Starbucks, swap out dairy milk for almond, coconut, oat, or soy milk to veganize your favorite hot chocolate.
Does oat or almond milk taste better? ›
Oat milk tends to offer a sweeter taste and is naturally more thick and creamy—perfect for warm beverages in the morning and sweet treats. While almond milk is less creamy, it offers a subtle, nutty flavor that pairs nicely in savory dishes and cereals.
