The Dairy Double

There are many reasons that you might seek a milk alternative. Perhaps you are lactose intolerant or a vegan. You might be looking to add a unique flavor to a recipe. Or maybe you are just curious about all the different options. The task of choosing the right dairy substitute can be daunting: the shelves are filled with choices, and many are made from surprising sources. So we commandeered a recent staff meeting to help you discover some "udderly" different milk choices.

We kept things simple by sampling only shelf-stable products in plain or original flavors from a variety of different brands. Participants were asked to consider taste, color, consistency and versatility. We found the experience enlightening and some even discovered a new favorite beverage.

Almond Milk Brand: Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Original Calories Per 1 cup serving: 60 Taste: Strong almond taste, lightly sweet notes Appearance: Pale tan color, thin consistency Nutrients: Antioxidants, Vitamin E, Calcium We'd use it in: Smoothies, baking, cooking Other flavors: Unsweetened, Vanilla, Chocolate Most colorful reviewer comment: "You have to have really small hands to milk an almond."

Coconut Milk Brand: So Delicious Sugar-Free Original Calories Per 1 cup serving: 45 Taste: Mild coconut flavor with a faint hint of sweetness Appearance: Thickest of all the options we tried; white in color; looks like whole milk Nutrients: Calcium, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12 We'd use it in: Smoothies, cooking, coffee Other flavors: Chocolate, Sugar-Free Original, Vanilla, Sugar-Free Vanilla Most colorful reviewer comment: "Not half bad, but I'm not sure I'd shimmy up a palm tree for it."

Hazelnut Milk Brand: Pacific Natural Foods Original Calories Per 1 cup serving: 110 Taste: Sweet and nutty with a very rich hazelnut flavor; one of the favorites among the group Appearance: Dark tan in color, thin consistency Nutrients: Calcium, Vitamin D and Riboflavin We'd use it in: Cooking, baking: the rich taste will lend great flavor to whole grain and/or high fiber cereals, especially unsweetened ones Other flavors: Chocolate Most colorful reviewer comment: "Liked it a lot, but I kind of wanted it to taste like Nutella. I wonder if the chocolate flavor does. Can we sample that next?"

Hemp Milk Brand: Living Harvest Tempt Original Calories Per 1 cup serving: 100 Taste: Earthy with mild grassy notes Appearance: Tannish yellow color, thin consistency Nutrients: Calcium, Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D, Iron and Omega-3 Fatty Acids We'd use it in: Baking, cereal Other flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla Most colorful reviewer comment: "Whoa!"

Oat Milk Brand: Pacific Natural Foods Low Fat Original Calories Per 1 cup serving: 130 Taste: Very reminiscent of a bowl of oatmeal, sweet with a vague hint of cinnamon; a favorite among the tasters Appearance: Medium tan in color, thin consistency Nutrients: Calcium, Vitamin D and Riboflavin We'd use it in: Baking, cooking, cereal, to dunk cookies in (especially oatmeal cookies) and even drink on its own Other flavors: Low Fat Vanilla Most colorful reviewer comment: "Wasn't expecting to enjoy this, but it was like sipping the liquid out of the bottom of a bowl of oatmeal. Only smoother."

Rice Milk Drink Brand: Rice Dream Original Enriched Calories Per 1 cup serving: 120 Taste: Very mild in taste, neutral flavor; reminded tasters of skim milk Appearance: Opaque white, looks like non-fat milk; thin in consistency Nutrients: Enriched with Vitamins A, D, B12, and Calcium We'd use it in: Cereal, coffee, smoothies, cooking Other flavors: Chocolate Enriched, Vanilla Enriched Most colorful reviewer comment: "If you put some sugar and cinnamon in this it would taste just like the horchata my nana used to make."

Soy Milk Brand: West Soy Low Fat Plain Calories Per 1 cup serving: 90 Taste: Neutral and versatile flavor; not at all sweet Appearance: Tan in color; looks like iced coffee with cream; thin in consistency Nutrients: Calcium and Vitamin D We'd use it in: Cereal, coffee, smoothies Other flavors: Low Fat Vanilla Most colorful reviewer comment: "The color on this was darker than the others so I thought it might taste like milk with a drop of soy sauce in it. But it was surprisingly mild."