Anyone have success making GOOD cappuccinos with non-dairy milks?

[StaceyinLA]

If so, what milks?

 

I am really disheartened because I got my espresso maker and have been IN LOVE with my yummy cappuccinos every morning, but I think the dairy is catching up with me (waistline AND allergies). I generally don't consume much dairy, and my cold coffee was always made with almond milk (which I have not found I enjoy in the hot coffee). I've been having some yummy half-n-half frothed in my hot drinks and they taste SO good, but I swear I've gained a couple pounds over the last few weeks and that's the only consistent difference I've had. I also feel like I have some mucous and a sinus-y drip that's been fairly constant over the last week or week and a half (no other symptoms of anything; just the excess mucous).

 

Anyway, I FINALLY settled on a machine, coffee, and to-die-for coffee drinks and I really don't want to give up my one splurge, but I think I might need an alternative that's not going to have the same effects on me. Any ideas?

[Lakeside]

I've had to avoid dairy and coconut milk has worked. It frothed pretty well. Lately I've been mixing coconut oil, collagen, and gelatin with the coffee and blending it with an immersion blender.

[zoobie]

Nordstrom's coffee bar makes one with coconut milk that's tolerable. There's a new blended milk with coconut and cashew that a dairy free friend loves. She doesn't foam it, but she says it is so much better in coffee than anything else she's tried.

[Pegasus]

I have switched to ice coffee with almond milk. Very low calorie and tasty. I agree, though, that almond milk is not as good in hot coffee. I wonder why that is.

[Mom22ns]

I have switched to ice coffee with almond milk. Very low calorie and tasty. I agree, though, that almond milk is not as good in hot coffee. I wonder why that is.

 

Almond milk changes texture when heated. It becomes thicker and slimy. Vanilla soy milk does much better if you aren't avoiding soy.

[Guest]

Vanilla soy from Costco is surpsingoy excellent in coffee.

[IfIOnly]

The only nondairy milk I really like and that is more than just tolerable or sufficient is full fat canned coconut milk. I don't love the coconut milk in cartons because it doesn't make the coffee creamy.

[StaceyinLA]

Thank you all. I'm so stinking sad about this right now. I really haven't wanted to admit that it could be the dairy, but I think it HAS to be. I certainly don't want an expensive espresso maker sitting on my counter while I drink my cold coffee every day. :(

 

I'm actually about to have some dairy goats again, but I know I won't enjoy the goat milk in there because I don't like the flavor of it after it has been heated.

 

When I was doing Whole 30 I did use canned coconut milk in my coffee. I don't remember loving it, but I survived it. Right now I just LOVE my coffee. Waaahhhh - hear me whine!

[StaceyinLA]

I've had to avoid dairy and coconut milk has worked. It frothed pretty well. Lately I've been mixing coconut oil, collagen, and gelatin with the coffee and blending it with an immersion blender.

Which coconut milk? Canned or something in a carton?

[ktgrok]

Are you sure it's the dairy and not the sugar? I think you said you don't usually have much sugar otherwise?

[ktgrok]

Another thought, switch to actual heavy cream, even watered down if need be. It's the proteins in dairy that are allergenic, not the fat. Half and half still has milk protein in it, but heavy cream doesn't. Wont' help calorie wise, lol, but will help with allergies, if that is what is going on. 

[Lakeside]

Which coconut milk? Canned or something in a carton?

In a can. Natural Value is one brand I've used. Trader Joe's now has coconut milk that doesn't have any additives in it. That's what I've used recently.

 

Using the coconut oil, collagen, and gelatin has actually seemed creamier and has had a more similar mouth feel to cream than the coconut milk has.

[IfIOnly]

Thank you all. I'm so stinking sad about this right now. I really haven't wanted to admit that it could be the dairy, but I think it HAS to be. I certainly don't want an expensive espresso maker sitting on my counter while I drink my cold coffee every day. :(

 

I'm actually about to have some dairy goats again, but I know I won't enjoy the goat milk in there because I don't like the flavor of it after it has been heated.

 

When I was doing Whole 30 I did use canned coconut milk in my coffee. I don't remember loving it, but I survived it. Right now I just LOVE my coffee. Waaahhhh - hear me whine!

 

Oh, bummer. I'm sorry about the milk allergy. :(

 

We had dairy goats, and I'm with you about heating up the milk. I know you don't do much sugar, but I do want to put in a plug for a bit of blackstrap molasses in goats milk. It makes it gingerbready flavored and covers up the goat flavor, especially if it's not super fresh. I considered the molasses a nutritional supplement though since it's so high in iron and other nutrients. ;)

 

This may not make a diff. for you, put I only like one brand of canned coconut milk in my coffee. It's just the best I've tasted and I've tasted lots! https://www.amazon.com/Chaokoh-Coconut-Milk-13-5-oz/dp/B000WH9D3G  I'm not a fan of the flavor and consistency of TJ's coconut milks at all.

[hornblower]

Yes, you need the Barrista Series from Pacifica. 

https://www.baristaproshop.com/catalog/index.php?brandid=50 The baristas swear by the stuff.  

[ktgrok]

This is the stuff horn blower linked...there is a soy version as well. https://www.amazon.com/Pacific-Barista-Coconut-Original-Pack/dp/B0159CZ7J2/ref=sr_1_5_s_it?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1470682673&sr=1-5&keywords=barista+series+coconut+milk

[StaceyinLA]

The ingredients in that aren't very good. :(

 

Also I've thought about the sugar being an issue. I honestly think it could be both. I don't put much sugar at all though, and I'm using close to 1/4 c of the organic half-n-half in a double shot cappuccino (although I have cut that back a bit).

 

Maybe I just need to try doing a long coffee with the grass fed heavy cream and see if I still have the issues. I'd at least know if it was the dairy or the sugar.