8 great milk alternatives

Here's the skinny on what you'll find at PCC, including which ones are best for cereal, baking, mixed in with your coffee, or just served cold in a tall glass.

Almond — Great for baking and over cereal, almond milk is high in protein. If using in coffee, heat first in the microwave or use a foamer before adding to coffee. Try organic options from Pacific Natural Foods and all-natural choices from Almond Breeze. Find them both in the grocery aisles.

Coconut — Different than canned coconut milk, this beverage is very creamy and luscious. The coconut flavor isn't too overpowering but still present, which makes it great in coffee, tea, smoothies, used for baking, and in soup and rice recipes that lend themselves to a little coconut flavor. It also contains healthy fat and is fortified with vitamin B12. Available from So Delicious in the refrigerator case.

Hazelnut — Offering a smooth, creamy, sweet flavor, hazelnut milk is best in your coffee, tea or hot chocolate, and can work well in desserts. Due to its sweet taste, it's not suited for savory cooking. Pacific Natural Foods uses fresh, roasted hazelnuts grown in Oregon's Willamette Valley to make their milk. Find it in the grocery aisles.

Hemp — A nice alternative for those with soy or nut allergies, hemp milk has a high nutrition content as it's rich in all 10 essential amino acids and a good source of omega-3s. It's great in smoothies or shakes and also can be used in cooking. Try different flavors of Tempt Hemp Milk from Living Harvest, as well as options from Pacific Natural Foods. Find both in our grocery aisles.

Oat — Fairly mild and nutty tasting, oat milk is a delicious accompaniment to hot cereals and other breakfast foods. Its pronounced oat flavor isn't the best for coffee or by the glass, but it will work well in baking. Find it from Pacific Natural Foods in the grocery aisles.

Rice — Rather sweet, rice milk is best by the glass or poured on cereal. It has the most thin texture of all milk alternatives, which means it's not the best for cooking. Though due to its sweet flavor, it can work in dessert recipes. You'll find options from Good Karma, Pacific Natural Foods, and Rice Dream in the refrigerated section and in our grocery aisles.

Soy — The original milk alternative, soy is high in protein, which makes it a good substitution in cooking and baking. It also works well in coffee and tea, smoothies, and with cereal. Soy milk does have a distinct flavor, which for some is an acquired taste. You'll find many different options, from Eden Organic, Pacific Natural Foods, Silk, Soy Dream, Westsoy, and Earth Balance.

Creamers — Add flavor to your coffee with our coconut and soy options, available in flavors such as hazelnut, French vanilla, and original.

*Availability varies by store.