Which Vegan Milk Is Best? We Asked A.I. to decide.

There are many different plant milks available on the market today, each with its own unique nutritional profile, taste, and environmental impact. So it's no wonder so many people find themselves scratching their heads asking, which one is the best?

It's a complicated question to answer, with many nuances, so we asked A.I. to sift through the data to rank each milk by its Environmental Impact, Nutritional Value and Taste - We even threw cow's milk in there for good measure. Here are the results.

Milks Ranked By Environmental Impact:

1. Hemp milk is the most sustainable milk option, requiring less land and water to produce than other milk whilst producing fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

2. Pea milk is another sustainable milk option. It requires less land and water to produce than other milk whilst producing fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

3. Oat milk is a sustainable milk option. It requires less land and water to produce than cow's milk whilst producing fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

4. Soy milk is a sustainable milk option. It requires less land and water to produce than cow's milk, but it produces slightly more greenhouse gas emissions than oat milk or pea milk.

5. Rice milk is a sustainable milk option. It requires less land to produce than cow's milk, but it requires more water and produces more greenhouse gas emissions than oat milk or pea milk.

6. Cashew milk is a sustainable milk option. It requires less land and water to produce than cow's milk, but it produces more greenhouse gas emissions than oat milk or pea milk.

7. Almond milk is also a sustainable milk option. It requires less land than cow's milk, but it requires more water and produces more greenhouse gas emissions than oat milk or pea milk.

8. Coconut milk is not a sustainable milk option. It requires a lot of land and water to produce, and it also produces more greenhouse gas emissions than other plant milks.

9. Cow's milk is the least sustainable milk option requiring a lot of land, water, and energy to produce, and it also produces a lot of greenhouse gas emissions.

Milks Ranked By Nutritional Value:

1. Soy milk is a good source of protein, calcium, iron, and vitamin D. It's also a good source of fibre and isoflavones, a plant compound that has health benefits.

2. Oat milk is a good source of fibre, vitamin D, and potassium. It's also a good source of calcium.

3. Hemp milk is a good source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin E. It is also a good source of calcium and iron.

4. Pea milk is a good source of protein, fibre, and iron. It's also a good source of calcium.

5. Almond milk is a good source of vitamin E and calcium. It's also a good source of magnesium.

6. Cashew milk is a good source of vitamin K and magnesium. It is also a good source of copper.

7. Rice milk is a good source of carbohydrates and fibre. It is also a good source of vitamin B12.

8. Coconut milk is a good source of fat and fibre. It is also a good source of vitamin C.

9. Cow's milk is a good source of protein, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D. However, it is also high in saturated fat and cholesterol.
   

Milks Ranked By Texture:

• Almond milk: Almond milk has a thin, watery texture making it a good choice for iced drinks or smoothies.

• Soy milk: Soy milk has a creamy texture that is similar to cow's milk. It is a good choice for drinking, cooking, and baking.

• Oat milk: Oat milk has a creamy texture that is similar to soy milk. It is a good choice for most applications and a good choice for people with allergies or sensitivities to nuts or soy.

• Cashew milk: Cashew milk has a rich, creamy texture making it great for baking.

• Hemp milk: Hemp milk has a nutty flavour and a slightly thick texture. It is a good choice for drinking, cooking, and baking.

• Rice milk: Rice milk has a thin, watery texture. It is a good choice for drinking and cooking.

• Pea milk: Pea milk has a neutral flavour and a slightly thick texture. It is a good choice for drinking, cooking, and baking.

• Coconut milk: Coconut milk has a thick, creamy texture. It is a good choice for cooking, baking, and making smoothies.

So which milk is truly the best? Well, in terms of environmental impact, it's clear that all plant milks are better for the environment than cow's milk. Cow's milk production requires a lot of land, water, and energy, and it also produces a ton of greenhouse gases making it easily the worst offender. Nutritionally speaking the milks vary by brand, but lots of them are fortified with minerals bringing them broadly in line with cow's milk. Where texture is concerned, well that's a personal preference that only you can decide.

Ultimately, the best vegan milk for you is the one that you enjoy the most and that fits your ethical and nutritional requirements. Experiment with the different textures of each milk and find one that you enjoy the taste of. Personally, I use Soy milk in my breakfast (and cooking in general) for its extra protein, but I prefer the taste of oat milk in my morning coffee.

There's a whole world of milks out there and the range is growing by the day so don't be afraid to experiment and let us know your favourites.