The consumption of dairy products such as cheese, ice cream, and yogurt has steadily increased in the USA over the past 50 years. Milk consumption, however, has been decreasing since the 1970s. Although lactose sensitivities and intolerances do play a role in reduced milk consumption, there are also many other health and lifestyle-related reasons why an increasing number of people are embracing a dairy-free lifestyle. Thankfully, there are more non-dairy alternatives available than ever before that will appease even the fussiest of tea lovers. Let’s look at a few ways in which you can enjoy a dairy-free cup of tea.
The Options Are Plentiful
If you have chosen to steer clear of cow’s milk but cannot imagine drinking your favorite hot drink without at least a few drops of milk in it, you might want to consider experimenting with a few non-dairy alternatives until you find one you like. While soya milk is a popular dairy alternative, it has to be warmed up before adding it to tea, as it runs the risk of curdling. Using rice milk in hot beverages is also becoming more prevalent, in a similar fashion to how rice flour, easy enough to make at home, is becoming a staple in gluten-free cooking. Other popular choices include almond milk, hemp milk, and coconut milk.
Put Some Thought Into Your Milk Choices
When choosing a dairy-free alternative for your tea, it is important to take the natural flavors of both the tea and the milk substitute into consideration. If you drink sugar in your tea, almond or coconut milk may appeal to you as they both have a naturally sweet taste. While coconut milk, in particular, does have a very distinct taste, it is typically better tolerated by tea drinkers who enjoy the sweeter things in life. People who don’t drink sugar in their tea may prefer the more neutral taste of cashew milk. Even if you do drink sugar in your tea, always taste it prior to adding a sweetener, as the natural sweetness of the milk may just be enough to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Some Teas Are Simply Better Black
Depending on what tea you favor, the chances are you will not have to find a milk alternative, as your favorite brew might be better without any milk at all. Due to their earthy flavor profiles, both green and ginger tea are best enjoyed without milk. Although both rooibos tea and hibiscus tea can be made with milk, you will enjoy a much more vivid burst of flavor if you skip both milk and sugar altogether. Other types of tea that are best without milk include rosehip tea, oolong tea, lemon balm tea, and peppermint tea. Although there is no tea-drinkers law that prevents you from adding your choice of milk to any of these teas, they simply taste better in their most natural form.
Tea can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. If you fancy some milk in your tea but want to stay away from dairy, you can experiment with one of many non-dairy milk alternatives available on the market.
Photo “Brown ceramic mug photo” is under an irrevocable, nonexclusive, worldwide copyright license to the photographer Katlyn Boone and is being posted unaltered (source)
