Almond milk,coconut milk,soy milk,oat milk, potato milk…. Wait, what? That’s right! Potato milk is quickly becoming a trendymilk alternative. Here’s a rundown of the nutritional perks plus how to make it at home 🥔.
What is potato milk?
Potato milk is a plant-basedmilk alternativemade out of (you guessed it!)potatoes. You can make it at home by blending cooked potatoes with water. You can also make it more flavorful by adding ingredients like maple syrup andsalt.
Commercially made potato milk has a very different vibe than the DIY kind. A Swedish company called Veg of Lund created a potato milk product known as DUG. It’s currently offered in Sweden and the United Kingdom, but not in the United States.
Unlike homemade potato milk, their product is a blend of potatoes and rapeseed oil (aka canola oil). It also contains peaprotein, added vitamins and minerals, and acidity regulators.
They don’t go too far into how this concoction is actually made, but the company claims that DUG will never separate due to a patented emulsion technology. Yum?
BTW, DUG also claims that their potato-based milk is a more sustainable choice than other plant-based milks and that potato milk is nutrient-dense. But we def don’t know that for sure.
Potato milk nutrition
Here’s thenutrition breakdownfor a 3.3-ounce (100 ml) serving of unsweetened DUG:
Like a lot of otherplant-based milks, DUG is low in calories, fat, and protein. The unsweetened version contains no added sugar, but the original and barista versions aresweetenedwith fructose and sucrose.
Most of DUG’s nutrient content comes from the protein, vitamins, and minerals that are added during production. And since their website only has nutritional deets on certain vitamins and minerals, we’re not sure if DUG is high in nutrients found inpotatoeslikepotassiumandvitamin B6.
Is potato milk good for the environment?
Potato milkmightbe better for the environment than mammal milk or otherveganalternatives.DUG claimsthat potatoes require 56 times less water than almonds, and potato milk has a 75 percent lower climate footprint than cow’s milk. This makes sense since potatoes don’t require a lot of land or water to grow.
Potatoes are also thought to be a sustainable food source. TheFood and Agriculture Organization of the United Nationsidentified the humble potato as a staple and sustainable food to support the world’s growing population.
What does potato milk taste like?
NGL, homemade potato milk doesn’t have the best reviews. Most peeps say it has a distinct potato-y taste. Lots of folks say you need to add sweeteners and flavoring agents to make it tasty.
That said, it might not work well in your morningcup o joeortea. However, it might be good insmoothiesandoatmeal, where other flavors can mask the tater taste. P.S. Homemade potato milk is said to be hella frothy. So, you prob need to strain it multiple times until it has a drinkable consistency.
DUG potato milk likely tastes different from homemade potato milk. This is because it contains added ingredients like oil and sugars. But some reviewers say it still has a potato taste, which might not be your jam.
The only way to know for sure if potato milk is for you is to try making your own at home. You can always make it your own by tweaking the recipe.
How to make potato milk at home
One of the perks of potato milk is that it’s pretty easy to make at home. Plus, the ingredients are much cheaper compared to nut-based milks likealmondorcashew.
Most recipe developers recommend adding in a couple tablespoons of almonds and a bit of sweetener. This gives the potato milk a little help in the flavor and texture departments.
There are a number of different potato milk recipes available online, but here’s a basic guide to making potato milk for use in sweeter foods and bevvies likecoffee,oatmeal, andcereal.
Ingredients
How to make potato milk
BTW, this recipe yields about 4 cups (1 liter) of potato milk. You can enjoy it hot or cold.
you may keep your potato milk stored in a container like a glass jar for a few days in the fridge. Some note that potato milk doesn’t freeze well. So, you might want to make it in smaller batches.
If you’re feeling fancy, try adding a bit ofcinnamon, vanilla extract, orcocoa powderfor more flavor. you may also sub almonds for other plant-based ingredients likeoats,cashews, or coconut flakes.
Keep in mind, it might take some experimenting to find the perfect combo of ingredients. So, don’t be discouraged if your first try isn’t 10/10.
The bottom line
Potato milk might be a more environmentally-friendly choice than some dairy products and certain plant milks, but the taste and texture aren’t for everyone.
Most people say that potato milk has a potato-y taste that needs to be masked by adding other ingredients like nuts and sweeteners. But hey, if you’re a tater lover, then you may have found your new fav plant-based milk alternative.
If you’re curious about potato milk, try making your own at home. It’s super simple and you can tweak the recipe to meet your flavor preferences.
