Several non-dairy, plant-based alternatives like oats, almond, soy, coconut, rice, and hemp are already popular as milk substitutes, and now joining the team is potato milk.
A report by British retail giant Waitrose states that potato milk is set to become one of the biggest food trends in 2022. A Swedish brand, Dug, has already entered the space of plant-based milk made from potatoes to attract consumers allergic to milk proteins. Currently, potato milk is available in Sweden, China, and the UK.
Categorically, it is a good choice as potatoes are easy to grow and nutritious if consumed well, and they are also considered a comfort food. Nutritionists too find it calorie-friendly and healthy. Besides egg yolk, rice, and bananas, potatoes and sweet potatoes form an important part of a balanced diet. Also, potatoes are high in carbs but three times as filling as a slice of white bread and rich in resistant starch, which helps burn fat.
Potatoes are healthy unless loaded with fats like butter, sour cream, melted cheese, and bacon bits. Much of the bad reputation they get is actually due to the companions that they are served with or the way they are cooked, which makes them high in calories. Potatoes are a good source of fibre. But make sure you have it with the skin intact, as without the jacket, the fibre content is reduced.
Non-dairy milk, like oats, has already captured the world as a popular alternative. This year, Nestle introduced a plant-based milk brand to compete with Danone’s Alpro and Oatly in the growing market for dairy substitutes. Nestle rolled out a pea-based milk alternative called Wunda, available in France, the Netherlands, and Portugal, besides other European countries with other dairy-free products like yogurt.
There is US-based La Colombe’s ready-to-drink chilled oat milk latte, Starbucks’ iced brown sugar oat milk shaken espresso and oat products from Swedish food company Oatly, whose founder Rickard Öste originally developed a dairy alternative in 1994 as a researcher at Sweden’s Lund University.
India is the world’s largest consumer of animal-derived milk. But the plant-based milk industry is still in its infancy. And the reason why it is rapidly gaining popularity is that it addresses three pressing challenges—climate change, personal health, and animal welfare.
Both the dairy and non-dairy industries are expected to grow and coexist as long as they meet different consumer needs.However, studies show that switching to plant-based products is the most impactful way to reduce your carbon footprint. These products are fortified with essential nutrients, low in calories, and help in the improvement of gut health. As the majority of our population is lactose intolerant, non-dairy alternatives are increasingly becoming a necessity for many as they are prescribed by their doctors, dietitians, and health professionals.
According to a 2020 report by the Good Food Institute India and Ipsos, India continues to be the largest producer and consumer of animal-derived dairy. But plant-based dairy is gaining acceptance and is estimated at $21 million versus the animal-derived dairy industry at $140 billion. Plant-based dairy in India is projected to grow at a CAGR of 20.7% to reach $63.9 million by 2024.