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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 milk is used for hot chocolate? ›
*MILK OPTIONS: I usually use skim milk, but 2% or whole will give the hot chocolate more body and richness. Dairy-free options such as almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk can be used well.
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 replaces milk in 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.
Which vegan milk tastes most like dairy milk? ›
The test made a few things clear: soy milk, at its best, tastes closest to cow's milk. Oat tastes like a sweetly nutty cereal milk while almond tastes like the water left in your sink after washing the breakfast dishes.
What vegan milk is best for 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. Great for recreating a Bounty chocolate bar but not ideal for mixing with certain flavoured add-ins.
What is the creamiest vegan milk? ›
Oat 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.
What is the best plant-based milk for vegans? ›
Check out our list of the 5 Best Vegan Milks in North America in 2021.
- #1 Oat Drink. Oatly.
- #2 Organic Unsweet Soymilk. Silk.
- #3 Dark Chocolate Almond Milk. Silk.
- #4 Bebida de Almendra sabor Chocolate. Silk.
- #5 Holiday Nog Coconutmilk. So Delicious Dairy Free.
I recommend using light coconut milk from the can. You could also use oat milk or any dairy-free milk you'd like along with the coconut milk! Unsweetened cocoa powder: a high-quality cocoa powder or cacao powder is essential.
Which plant milk is closest to real milk? ›
The demand for soy milk comes from its creamy texture and slightly nutty flavor, making it an excellent cooking and baking ingredient. It's the closest drink that resembles cow's milk, per a taste test and online public sentiment.
The most popular varieties are soy milk, almond milk, and oat milk. Other popular brands are made from coconuts, peas, cashews, hazelnuts, or rice. Not so long ago, demand for vegan milks was tiny and only a few such products existed. But sales of non-dairy milks have exploded in recent years.
What is vegan chocolate milk made of? ›
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE VEGAN CHOCOLATE MILK. Add the coconut milk and rice milk to a blender, along with maple syrup, cocoa powder, chocolate chips, vanilla and salt. Blend on high for several minutes until 100% smooth. If you have a Vitamix, this will work perfectly.
What do vegans use for chocolate? ›
Vegan chocolates are definitively chocolate. They are made from the same cacao beans, and they only become “non-vegan” when animal products such as dairy, butter or honey are added. Vegan chocolates are crafted with plant-based ingredients such as soy milk or maple syrup.
Which vegan milk is sweet? ›
Coconut Milk
The powerfully sweet flavor is like its own co*cktail or dessert, and makes you want to throw around the word "tropical." It's one of a few non-dairy kinds of milk whose strong flavor probably precludes adding it to your daily routine, but when you do drink it, it's a genuinely good experience.
What milk is best for gut health? ›
Low-fat, skim or 1% cow's milk are healthier options compared to 2% or whole milk. They contain less fat. “If you can't have cow's milk, soy milk and rice milk are often the healthiest milk for gut health – especially for people with celiac disease, an autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation,” Park said.
Which vegan milk tastes best in coffee? ›
Cashew Milk, unlike its nut-based counterpart, almond, is a little harder to find in supermarkets and coffee shops. How does cashew milk taste in coffee? Cashew is actually the least 'nutty' of the nut-based milk alternatives. It also has quite a creamy texture which makes it perfect for coffee.
What type of milk is used in milk chocolate? ›
In order for a chocolate to be called milk chocolate, it must contain at least twelve percent milk. This can be in the form of milk powder, condensed milk, regular liquid milk, or any combination of those. Milk chocolate also usually contains sugar and cocoa butter.
Is 2% or whole milk better for hot chocolate? ›
In our taste test, we chose to use whole milk as our base, rather than 2% or skim. We felt this would offer the most significant difference in taste compared to hot chocolate made with just water, while still using simple milk rather than cream.
Does Starbucks use milk in their hot chocolate? ›
MORE ABOUT THIS DRINK
Sugar, alkalized cocoa powder, coconut oil, nonfat dry milk, whey solids, sea salt, cocoa extract, sodium caseinate, natural flavor, dipotassium phosphate, mono- and diglycerides, stevoil glycosides. Contains milk.
How to make hot milk for hot chocolate? ›
Heat the Milk: In a saucepan, warm the milk over a medium heat. Be sure not to boil it. If you're using a thermometer, aim for 65-70°C. Add the Chocolate: Once the milk is warm, start adding the chopped chocolate a bit at a time, stirring continuously to ensure it melts smoothly into the milk.
