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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
COCONUT MILK: Using lite coconut milk yields the perfect creamy texture and taste. It is neutral in flavor (the lite leaves no coconut taste) and it is neither too thick or too thin of a milk.
What is the best milk for vegan chocolate? ›
Coconut milk is one of the most popular milk alternatives when making vegan chocolate, and it is also an ingredient in many store-bought vegan chocolates that you might find at large grocery stores. Coconut chocolate is delicious and will replicate the creaminess that comes from a bar of authentic milk chocolate.
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 kind of milk is best for hot chocolate? ›
Dairy Milk: Full cream dairy milk remains a classic choice for a rich, velvety hot chocolate. Plant-Based Milks: Soy, oat, almond, and coconut milks offer delightful plant-based alternatives, each adding a unique twist.
Which vegan milk makes the best hot chocolate? ›
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.
What is the closest vegan milk to real milk? ›
Soy milk is most comparable to cow's milk from a protein standpoint. Soy milk is fortified with calcium and vitamin D. While other plant-based milks may contain added calcium and vitamin D, soy milk is most likely to be fortified with these nutrients.
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.
Which plant-based milk is best in hot drinks? ›
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.
What's better for hot chocolate milk or water? ›
Although hot chocolate doesn't necessarily need an even more creamy, decadent taste, using milk certainly enriches the experience. We suspect that milk adds a creamier taste than water alone, and when combined with the notes of chocolate, the smooth undertones of the milk simply add a delicious backdrop.
How do you thicken hot chocolate without milk? ›
Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate: Substitutions
There are a few substitutions you can make to adjust the sweetness and chocolate intensity to cater to your family's tastes. Full-fat coconut milk. You can use coconut cream to make it extra thick.
Let's get into which substitutes make the best chocolate milk.
- Soymilk. Soymilk (plain or vanilla) definitely makes the best chocolate milk in terms of actually resembling real chocolate milk. ...
- Almond Milk. One could argue that almond milk actually makes the best-tasting chocolate milk. ...
- Coconut Milk. ...
- Rice Milk.
Which to Use—Milk, Soy, or Water? Whole milk lends to the creaminess and sweetness of hot chocolate, but feel free to use low-fat or nonfat milk if you prefer. For a thicker, richer hot chocolate, switch out 1/4 cup of milk for cream. Soy milk or another non-dairy milk is an alternative if you are lactose intolerant.
What type of milk should a vegan drink? ›
Soy and almond milk are the most common vegan milk substitutes, as they are the closest in taste and nutritional profile to cow's milk.
What is the best non-dairy milk for chocolate cake? ›
Almond Milk: A Preferred Choice for Quality Baking
Almond milk has become a favorite in kitchens and bakeries alike. Its light, nutty flavor enhances baked goods without overpowering them, making it an excellent base for everything from fluffy cakes to tasty pastries.
What is the best milk for vegan cookies? ›
Among other milk alternatives like almond milk, soy milk and oat milk, soy milk is by far the best for baking. I learned this over the course of several years and many cookies, cakes, muffins and pies. Moreover, some people will tell you that you must swap full-fat coconut milk in for heavy cream or half-and-half.
Which milk chocolate is vegan? ›
H! P Oat Milk Chocolate is a sustainable, plant-based chocolate brand producing deliciously creamy chocolate from the best, ethically-sourced cocoa.
