Core Ingredients in Alpro Oat Milk
Alpro oat milk primarily consists of water and European-sourced oats. The manufacturing process involves milling and mixing oats with water, adding enzymes to break down starches, and then straining the mixture to achieve a smooth texture. Other common core ingredients across variants often include:
- Oat Base: Made from milled European oats and water, providing a mild, naturally sweet flavour and smooth consistency.
- Sunflower Oil: Included to enhance texture and mouthfeel, contributing to a creamier consistency and aiding foam formation in Barista versions.
- Stabilisers: Such as Gellan gum, used to prevent ingredient separation and maintain a consistent texture.
- Sea Salt: Added to balance the natural sweetness of the oats and enhance the overall flavour.
Fortified Vitamins and Minerals
Alpro oat milk is fortified with essential nutrients, mirroring the nutritional profile of dairy milk to support plant-based diets. These typically include:
- Calcium: Often in the form of tri-calcium phosphate or calcium carbonate, vital for bone health.
- Vitamin D: Vitamin D2 is added to help with calcium absorption and bone maintenance.
- Vitamins B2 and B12: These contribute to reducing tiredness. B12 is particularly important for vegans.
- Iodine: Some varieties, like Original, are fortified with potassium iodide.
Varietal Differences: Original, Barista, and No Sugars
Alpro tailors its recipe for different product lines:
Original Oat Milk
Ingredients include water, oats, soluble corn fibre, sunflower oil, calcium, sea salt, Gellan gum, and vitamins B2, D2, and potassium iodide. It contains naturally occurring sugars but no added sugars.
Barista Oat Milk
This version may contain pea protein and acidity regulators like potassium phosphates. Some Barista options are made with certified gluten-free oats.
Oat No Sugars
This option contains no added sugar or sweeteners and uses oats and is fortified with vitamins.
Comparison Table: Alpro Oat Milk Variants
A detailed comparison of ingredients across Alpro Original, Barista, and Oat No Sugars variants can be found on {Link: Alpro website https://www.alpro.com/uk/products/drinks/oat-original}. Key differences exist in oat percentage, specific calcium source, vitamin fortification (including B12 and Iodine), and the inclusion of ingredients like pea protein (Barista), chicory root fibre (No Sugars, Barista), soluble corn fibre (Original), and acidity regulators (Barista). Note that only specific Barista options offer a gluten-free certification.
Allergen Information and Processing
Most Alpro oat milk contains oats, a source of gluten. It may not be suitable for those with Celiac disease due to potential cross-contamination. Alpro does offer specific Barista versions made with certified gluten-free oats, containing less than 20 ppm of gluten. Always check product labeling for allergen information.
Conclusion
Alpro oat milk's primary ingredients are water and oats, often with sunflower oil and fortified vitamins and minerals. Variations exist to cater to different needs, like the Barista blend for coffee and the 'No Sugars' version for a less sweet option. Those with gluten sensitivity should choose the certified gluten-free Barista variant. Alpro provides a versatile, fortified plant-based milk for various dietary requirements.
