Oat Milk: Why It Has Become a Must-Have Status Symbol for Gen Z

Did you know that Brits spent a whopping £146 million on oat milk in 2020, up from £74 million in 2019? Once only popular with vegans and people with allergies, oat milk has now become the go-to milk for a much wider audience and, most specifically, Generation Z.

You only have to look under #oatmilk on any social media platform to be met with tens of thousands of recipes that involve this trending drink. What’s more, all of these posts are about as artsy and aesthetically pleasing as you can get, making oat milk even more appealing to the masses.

So, what exactly is oat milk, and why has it suddenly become so popular with this generation? Let’s take a closer look.

What exactly is oat milk?

Oat milk is a plant-based alternative to cow’s milk that is currently dominating the health market. As the name suggests, it is made from oats but has a similar taste and consistency to cow’s milk.

Oat milk is both dairy and nut-free, making it a popular choice for those with dairy or nut allergies or intolerances.

Why is oat milk trending?

So, why is oat milk so popular, and, more specifically, why has it become the must-have status symbol for Gen Z?

First and foremost, oat milk has a good flavour to it, which, even in today’s image-obsessed society, is important. Creamy, mild, and subtly sweet, this dairy-free alternative can be enjoyed in exactly the same way as cow’s milk.

It is also an eco-friendlier choice than regular milk, something which is hugely important to Gen Z. In comparison to milk that is made from nuts, which has a much higher water footprint, oat milk uses the least amount of water of any plant milk, as well as less land, water, and energy than cow’s milk.

Furthermore, oat milk is only made from two ingredients which makes it much easier to digest than other varieties of milk. Also, it is vegan, dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free, and gluten-free, meaning it is suitable for nearly everyone.

Finally, it is widely available, both online and in stores, with MYOM oat milk proving to be incredibly popular with young, working professionals and families alike.

How to enjoy oat milk

There are so many different ways that you can enjoy oat milk. In fact, you can pretty much use it in the same ways as you can other varieties of milk. Some of the most popular and enjoyable ways to use oat milk include:

• Use in overnight oats
• Enjoy as a creamer in soups and curries
• Use as a replacement for dairy in baked goods recipes
• Enjoy poured over cereals
• Make a latte
• Use as a dairy-free thickener in pasta dishes such as mac and cheese

Final thoughts

It is clear that oat milk is not going away anytime soon, with new generations starting to explore its many associated benefits. Whether you want to try something new in your morning cup of coffee or you are trying out a new lifestyle, why not pop some oat milk in your shopping trolley and see what you think?