Plant-Based Milk Options That Are Beyond Just Dairy Alternatives

Possibly, the easiest brand to find in Turkey, Alpro has so many options - but not all of them are created equal. Our favorite is the self-explanatory “No Sugars” ones, specifically the coconut flavor. It has no sugars nor sweeteners, and a very fine texture. The aroma is not overpowering, making it perfect for iced matcha lattes. 63.95 TL alpro.com

The mecca for most creative and delicious vegan bites in Istanbul, Bi Nevi Deli is (unsurprisingly) great at making this plant-based staple. This almond milk is as natural and healthy as it gets; it’s made up of water and almonds. No preservatives, no sugars, no salt. It comes in a cute little 200 ml jar, which makes sense because this super fresh delicacy should be consumed in a maximum of 2-3 days. You can shop at their Etiler location, or when they stock it at their new e-commerce site, Bakkal. 45 TL @binevideli

This one is made on a farm in Datça that’s dedicated to producing healthy pantry favorites made with locally sourced ingredients and no preservatives, so it’s a winner by association. It is essentially not milk but “concentrate”, meaning it is a thicker, dense almond milk paste, and you get more bang for the buck. All you need to do is mix 1-2 tablespoons of the concentrate with a glass of cold water. It is made with Datça’s famously tasty almonds, a dash of sea salt, and no sugars. 145 TL, @kocamaar

As a big-time fan of their to-die-for pistachio butter, I cannot possibly be indifferent to Fomilk’s pistachio milk. It is an unexpected plant-based flavor yet makes so much sense within the Turkish context, this milk is a great flavor for all sorts of breakfast bowls and has a good amount of calcium. Yes, this very fair mint-colored milk does contain sugar, but so do most delicious things. Are we still allowed to say YOLO in 2022? 44.95 TL @fomilk

This glass bottle may be a recent discovery, but it is - just slightly exaggerating here - a life-changer for a plant-based drink lover. When I first tried it, I was simply shocked at how good it tasted, I made my sister try it too, and she was convinced there were sugars in it. (“How is it possible??”) So I did a little research and turns out there is none. VeganMilk uses a cold-press technique which may or may not be the reason why it is so damn delicious. You can drink it straight up with some ice, add it to your pancake or oatmeal recipes, or your iced coffees. The milk has a vanilla-like aftertaste that goes along perfectly with a splash of cinnamon. I, personally, buy an iced americano from my neighborhood coffee shop, bring it home and add a splash of this heavenly liquid. It’s worth the hassle. 49.90 TL @veganmilk.tr