Italians might be famous for their espressos, Americans for their Americanos, but New Zealanders love our coffee with milk. In recent years that love affair has only grown stronger. And for good reason.
Where once the only choice was whether you wanted full or skim milk – with no question that the milk itself was dairy – now there’s a great variety of plant-based milks available, ideal if you prefer not to drink dairy, are following a vegan diet or if you’re lactose intolerant.
These range from soy, oat and almond to coconut, macadamia, hazelnut and also lactose-free milk. It’s important to note, these milks were not created equal. They each have different qualities – from the way they heat up to the way they taste – so it’s essential to pick the right one for the type of coffee you want. That way, you can be sure you’re always getting the best coffee experience.
So, if you fancy swapping dairy milk for alternatives when you next use your Nespresso machine, or you just want to know the difference between plant based milks, read on.
Coffee with milk
The silky foam, the aromas, the flavours. The bedrock of New Zealand café coffee culture are the milk brews of lattes and cappuccinos, but with so many alternative milks now on the market, the landscape has shifted and it can be hard to know what’s what.
So here’s our guide to a few of the most popular types of milk available – and the Nespresso capsules that pair best with them.
Dairy
Cow’s milk is still king for coffee drinkers and it’s not hard to see why: it froths well, it pours well, it’s great for making latte art, it brings out a sweeter taste and smooth profile when paired with coffee, and it’s rich in protein and other nutrients.
Full milk is thicker and so froths better, making it the ideal choice for cappuccinos. Not surprisingly, skim milk is better for coffees with less volume, so, think lattes or flat whites.
You will easily find a Nespresso capsule that pairs well with dairy. The dark roasted Arpeggio with its cocoa notes might be on the top of the best list but so is the Bianco Piccolo which offers a creamy caramel, sweet biscuity flavour.
For best results, use a Nespresso Vertuo Creatista Coffee Machine, to give you a smooth, heady microfoam. Then add equal parts milk and milk foam to an espresso shot, leaving a dome of froth (and cocoa powder) on top.
Soy
Made from cooked, ground soybeans, soy milk has long been among the most popular alternatives to dairy in New Zealand. One big reason: because the protein content of soy is nearly as high as dairy. It’s also got a thick, creamy texture, making it a great option to pair with coffee. But beware, it can be a little tricky when steaming.
For the perfect flavour pairings, try Altissio and Corto capsules, with their smooth creamy notes, they provide a lovely sweet balance to the slight bitterness of the soy.
If you’re using a Nespresso machine with a steam wand, such as the Creatista Pro, steam the soy milk gradually in a milk pitcher. Then pour over the espresso shot, filling the cup to the brim with hot milk and leaving just a sliver of foam on top.
Almond milk
The popularity of almond milk has exploded over the last decade, thanks to a satisfying, nutty flavour and a texture that’s not a million miles from dairy.
That natural creaminess makes almond milk a lovely choice for milky coffees. No wonder every other order you’ll hear at a café these days is for an almond latte.
To make one with your Nespresso machine, try the intense, roasted flavours of the Scuro pod from our Original range or the Double Espresso Chiaro from our Vertuo range, designed especially to be enjoyed with milk.
You can use a steam wand or a Nespresso milk frother, such as the Aeroccino4, to heat your milk. Then add the heated milk to an espresso shot in a latte glass, leaving a 1cm layer of froth on top.
Oat milk
With a smooth, neutral flavour, oat milk has become a firm go-to for many coffee lovers looking for an alternative to dairy.
Made by mixing oats with water and milling them down, oat milk is rich, creamy and naturally sweet.
Because of its creamy texture, it’s a solid substitute for dairy when it comes to frothing. Want to pour some latte art? Oat milk is the answer.
Pair it with full-bodied Nespresso capsules such as Bianco Piccolo or Ristretto for an intense latte that’s full of elegant fruity notes. The dark roastiness balances beautifully with oat milk’s subtle flavours.
Use a milk frother like the Nespresso Aeroccino3 to produce silk-smooth milk, then pour over your espresso shot, leaving a 1cm blanket of foam on top.
Popular coffees
There’s a huge range of different coffees you can pour from your Nespresso machine, from those with milk to a host of black options.
Here are some of the most popular – and how to make them.
Espresso
You’ll want to get your espresso cups ready for this one. The forever favourite with Europeans is a 40ml extraction of coffee served as a single shot.
With no distraction from the coffee’s true flavours, there’s no better option to try out the full Nespresso range.
Cappuccino
This frothy classic began life in Vienna before becoming famous worldwide for its foamy body and a sprinkling of chocolate-powder on top.
For a small cappuccino, extract a single 40ml espresso shot into a small Barista Collection Cappuccino Cup, then add equal parts hot milk and foam, leaving a dome on top.
You can then sprinkle cocoa powder on top, or add ground cinnamon for a customised, spicy alternative.
Latte
With its dashing looks, the latte has become a blank canvas for a million creative baristas over the years. And, with a little practice, you can pour your own latte art at home. To make a small latte, extract a single shot of coffee into a clear Lungo cup, then turn the crema in the cup.
Heat your milk choice in a milk frother or in a Creatista Milk Jug with the steam wand on your machine, then pour into the espresso shot while tilting the cup slightly towards you. Pour slowly while moving your pitcher from side to side to break the crema and create a visual feast.
Leave a small layer of approximately 1cm of froth, perfect your latte art creation on top and voila.
For more on latte art check out our guide.
Flat white
You can make New Zealand’s favourite coffee at the touch of a few buttons with a Nespresso machine.
Use a cappuccino cup to make a small flat white, extracting the coffee into the cup, then turning the crema. Heat up your milk using a frother or steam wand, then pour the hot (flat) milk to the brim, leaving just a sliver of foam on top.
Customise your coffee by giving it a sweet touch. A flavoured syrup – like vanilla or caramel – will add a pop of personality to any flat white.
Conclusion
With so many varieties of milk now available, there’s never been greater choice when it comes to making our coffees.
But whether for dietary reasons or simply out of preference, most of us know our favoured milk and have it at the ready.
Nespresso can assist you in making the coffee selection that’s perfect for your milk choice. Simply complete our coffee profile quiz and it will match you with a selection of capsule blends that are ideal for you.
