Flavor of the Week: Oat milk, the latest dairy-free darling

The latest dairy-free darling of coffee shops, oat milk is outpacing all other alternative milk varieties on restaurant menus. Created through a simple process of blending and then straining oats and water, oat milk has a thick, creamy texture ideal for dairy-free lattes, smoothies and any beverages where dairy milk or cream are traditionally used.

Oat milk has expanded into superfood bowls and desserts, too. In bowls it might share space with grains and fruit, and in desserts it enables dairy-free frozen desserts and baked goods.

Market research firm Datassential reports that oat milk’s presence on U.S. menus has increased by 1,314% over the past four years, with 29% of consumers having tried it.

Click through the gallery to learn more about this Flavor of the Week and see how one restaurant is using oat milk on its menu.