Oat Milk Delivery or Pickup

Oat milk is a nutritious plant-based milk made from whole groats or steel-cut oats, which are groats that have been toasted and cut into smaller bits by steel blades. The commercial production of oat milk basically involves milling down the oats or groats into flour, which is then soaked in hot water of around 140 degrees to extract the most nutrients possible. To prevent the milk from gelatinizing, enzymes called amylases are added at this stage on the process since they help to break down the starches in the oats.

Once the milk is ready, manufacturers may choose to add vitamins and minerals, such as calcium phosphate, to make the oat milk even more healthy. However, oats on their own are already a rich source of antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Plus, as opposed to many other grains, such as wheat, rye, and barley, oats are gluten-free.

Oats milk has an oatmeal-like flavor and a creamy texture. Apart from functioning as a milk alternative, oat milk makes ice creams, yogurt, coffee creamer, and chocolate. It is the perfect product for vegans and people who are lactose intolerant. What's more, oat milk is also a more environmentally friendly product than cow's milk or most other plant-based milk products because growing oats requires fewer land and water resources.

Humans have long used plant milk. The Native Americans, for instance, are known to have made milk and infant formula from nuts. In Europe and Asia, almond milk is an ingredient that pops up in 13th-century recipes from the Levant, while soy milk was used in 14th century China. Oat milk, however, is a relative newcomer to the plant-milk family, as it was only developed in the 1990s by a Swedish scientist.

When an oat milk container is sealed, it's shelf-stable and will keep for anywhere from six to nine months if you store it in a cool, dry place. If you're unsure for how long you can keep the unopened milk, read the date label for guidance. Oat milk can be frozen for up to six months. However, freezing the milk may cause the milk to separate, which will leave you with a grainy-textured liquid once thawed. Seeing that the milk has a shelf life that's equal to and even longer than you'll get from freezing it, it's best just to leave it on the shelf.

When you open an oat milk container, the milk becomes perishable and can become rancid quite quickly. Once opened, place the container in the fridge and use it within a week. If you're not sure whether your oat milk is still good, there are a few tell-tale signs you can look out for. Firstly, oat milk that has gone off has a chunky and thicker consistency. If your milk contains any lumps or has an uneven texture, it has probably started to spoil. Other signs of spoiling include a darker, more yellowish color and a sour smell.

If your oat milk has gone rancid and you urgently need a replacement, you can place your order online through Instacart from the comfort of your home. One of our friendly Instacart shoppers will hand-pick your oat milk products for you and can deliver these to your door within 2 hours!