Did you know that about 50% of Filipinos are actually lactose intolerant? (Some of you who are reading this may even be lactose intolerant and not even know it.) Given this, it’s a good thing more and more non-dairy milk options have become available now that a great number of people have been switching over to a plant-based lifestyle — especially given how much we Pinoys love our milk!
And speaking of loving milk, many of us absolutely can’t do without it when it comes to enjoying a cup of coffee. As someone who’s experimented with a number of plant-based milk alternatives, my top pet peeves would be: (a) those that split or curdle in my coffee and (b) those that are more watery than creamy.
Because of this, I’ve done a little research on non-dairy milk brands that have been made specifically for coffee, or are at least well-known for being barista-friendly. If you’ve had the same issues as I have, then I hope this list helps you narrow down your options!
Disclaimer: The following list focuses on plant-based milk brands that work particularly well for those who steam and froth their milk at home!
Also read: 9 Retro Espresso Machines We Can’t Get Enough Of
I’ve heard a lot of good things about Bonsoy, as their soy and almond milks are commonly used in a lot of local coffee shops nowadays. After trying their almond milk for the first time, there was no turning back — it instantly became one of my favourite non-dairy milk alternatives for coffee. I just love how creamy it is!
Available variants: Soy, Almond
Price: Starts at ₱270 for 1L
Where to buy online: Gourmet Direct, COOP Grocer, As Nature Intended, Rare Food, We Nourish, Shopee, Lazada, select coffee shops (full list here)
Where to buy in-store: Select coffee shops (full list here)
While idly scrolling through Shopee, I stumbled upon So Good’s Barista Edition oat and almond milks. After checking out their prices — a lot more affordable than the popular non-dairy milk brands on the market — I instantly added their oat milk to my cart. I honestly didn’t see much difference between this and the other barista oat milks I’ve tried. Would definitely recommend this brand to anyone who loves making lattes!
Available variants: Almond, Oat
Price: Starts at ₱205 for 1L
Where to buy online: Shopee, Metro Mart
Where to buy in-store: SM Supermarket, Rustans Supermarket, Landmark, Robinsons, Weekend Grocer, Unimart
Also read: Guilt-Free Goodness: Where to Buy Healthy Snacks in Metro Manila
Of course, this list of barista-friendly non-dairy milks couldn’t possibly be complete without mentioning Oatly! Making the switch to plant-based was one of the top #QuaranTrends, and this brand was easily a crowd favourite. Oatly’s Barista Edition is formulated especially to be mixed with coffee; this version is not to be confused with Oatly’s regular oat drink.
Available variants: Oat
Price: Starts at ₱350 for 1L
Where to buy online: COOP Grocer, Hygge Beverage Company, As Nature Intended, We Nourish, Raw Bites, Yardstick, Lazada, Shopee
Minor Figures, a 100% vegan brand based in London, is quickly becoming one of the top non-dairy alternatives for baristas. Their plant-based oat drinks are made for and by coffee lovers, and are available in two varieties: Oat and Organic Oat!
Available variants: Oat, Organic Oat
Price: Starts at ₱300 for 1L
Where to buy online: Gourmet Direct, Coffee PHL, COOP Grocer, As Nature Intended, Rare Food, We Nourish, Lazada, Shopee, select coffee shops (full list here)
Where to buy in-store: Select coffee shops (full list here)
Also based in London, Rude Health offers non-dairy barista milk options that are relatively affordable. While they have a whole array of plant-based milks, their Barista line consists of soy, oat, and almond options. I can personally attest to how well their oat milk froths!
Fun fact: Rude Health actually has a cafe in New King’s Road, London — so you can be sure their milk is barista-quality!
Available variants: Oat, Almond, Soy
Price: Starts at ₱225 for 1L
Where to buy online: Raw Bites, Shopee, Lazada
Where to buy in-store: Real Food
Milklab is one of the most popular plant-based milk alternatives for baristas. Labelled “Milk for Coffee”, this Aussie brand’s milk froths beautifully and will pair perfectly with your cuppa joe. Compared to other brands, they’ve got a wide range of non-dairy options — you’ll be tempted to sample them all!
Available variants: Macadamia, Soy, Almond, Coconut
Price: Starts at ₱195 for 1L
Where to buy online: COOP Grocer, Commune, The Vegan Grocer, Yardstick, Shopee, Lazada
Where to buy in-store: Commune, The Vegan Grocer, Yardstick
As an oat milk-dependent coffee lover, I freaked out a little when I ran out of my favourite brand. In my panic, I came across this barista edition oat drink from MOMA foods. Without even thinking about it, I added two cartons to my cart — it’s become one of the top non-dairy milk brands I recommend to my friends ever since. It doesn’t have that unpleasant flavour you sometimes find in oat milk, and has just the right amount of thickness and creaminess. It froths well, too!
Available variants: Oat
Price: Starts at ₱225 for 1L
Where to buy online: Raw Bites, Shopee, Lazada
Where to buy in-store: Real Food
Made with oats homegrown in New Zealand, Otis Oat Milk is one of the latest non-dairy milk options to enter the Philippine market. Perfect for mixing with hot lattes or iced coffee, their barista edition milk is thick and creamy — so you’ll definitely be getting your money’s worth!
Available variants: Oat
Price: Starts at ₱325 for 1L
Where to buy online: Lazada, Shopee, Candid Coffee
Where to buy in-store: Candid Coffee
If you’re a fan of Koita and their plant-based milks, then you’ve probably already heard of their Soy for Coffee Beverage — a milk alternative designed by Italian baristas. Just hearing that it’s been conceptualised by coffee experts from a country known for its coffee culture is already enough to convince us to try it!
Their oat variant isn’t exactly labeled “for coffee” the same way their oat version is, but I’ve personally tried it myself. It goes great with coffee, and is even used as a non-dairy milk alternative in some cafes around the metro. It’s a lot creamier compared to non-barista oat milks out there, and is actually quite affordable compared to other brands!
Available variants: Soy, Oat
Price: Starts at ₱214.50
Where to buy online: Commune, Shopee, Lazada, BeautyMNL
Where to buy in-store: Landers, Commune
Milkadamia’s Latte Da line is one of the pricier plant-based milk alternatives on the market. But if you have a taste for macadamia milk and are willing to spend for it, then why not try it out? According to reviews, Milkadamia’s barista-friendly macadamia milk is creamy and delicious yet subtle — the type that lets your coffee’s flavour shine through!
Available variants: Macadamia (sweetened), Macadamia (unsweetened)
Price: Starts at ₱459 for 946mL
Where to buy online: Healthy Options, Shopee
Where to buy in-store: Healthy Options
Looking for vegan, dairy-free milk alternatives? Check out Elmhurst 1925. This brand is on the pricier end of the spectrum, but boasts plant-based ingredients that don’t include gums or fillers. It’s certainly an attractive option for health-conscious individuals! Plus, they have an interesting lineup of options to choose from, too: oat, almond, and cashew.
Available variants: Oat, Almond, Cashew
Price: Starts at for ₱350 for 946mL
Where to buy online: Lazada, Shopee
Glebe Farm Foods’ PureOaty barista milk is a great pick for those after gluten-free options. It’s made with just four natural ingredients: British oats, water, sunflower oil, and salt. Take note that it has a distinct taste (probably because it’s all-natural!) that might take some getting used to; but with its affordable price and health-friendly ingredients, why not give it a try?
Available variants: Oat
Price: Starts at for ₱220 for 1L
Where to buy online: Shopee
Yes, you read that right — this household favourite brand has a special edition just for making lattes. Plus, Blue Diamond’s Almond Breeze Barista Blend is the most affordable non-dairy milk option you’ll find on this list!
Available variants: Almond
Price: Starts at ₱152 for 1L
Where to buy online: Lazada, Shopee
Pacific Foods’ Barista Series doesn’t get enough love — this line of barista-friendly non-dairy milk options has actually been around since 2002! This particular brand is utilised in select coffee shops in the US, and is recommended for its subtle flavour and excellent quality for frothing. Latte art, here we come!
Available variants: Soy (original), Soy (vanilla), Almond, Oat
Price: Starts at ₱175 for 946mL
Where to buy online: Healthy Options, Shopee, Lazada
Where to buy in-store: Healthy Options
Silk is yet another go-to non-dairy milk brand that actually has a line specifically for mixing with coffee. The Barista Collection features almond and soy options, both of which have been designed to create a glossy microfoam that’s perfect for latte art!
Available variants: Almond, Soy
Price: Starts at ₱469 for 1.89L
Where to buy online: Shopee, Lazada
Also read: 17 Coffee Essentials That Will Complete Your At-Home Coffee Corner
Which of these non-dairy milk options will you be trying? We’d love to know which one works best for you! Tag @tripzillaph on your Instagram photos, or let us know in the comments section!
Featured image credit: Fahmi Fakhrudin | Unsplash
More flight options for everyone!
Satisfy your Spanish cuisine cravings!
Don't miss this hot seat sale!
Everything is now digital!
Up, up, and away this May!
Including a massive Leeroy New installation.