Almonds are out. So what milk should we drink?
A glass of dairy milk produces almost three times more greenhouse gas than any plant-based milk. But vegan options have drawbacks of their own.
It’s important to consider not just whether they are grown using organic methods. Other factors include how the farming of the crop affects people and native habitats in developing countries, the carbon footprint and water use. And while each product has its trade-offs, some plant milks are more sustainable than others.
Coconut: an absolute tragedy, as coconuts are only grown in tropical climates so it is difficult to meet global demand sustainably
Almond: bad for bees, as nearly 70% of commercial bees in the US are drafted each spring to pollinate almonds and last year 1/3 of them died due to the pressuresR
Hazelnut: a rising star, as hazelnuts are environmentally superior to almonds in that they are pollinated by the wind rather than commercial honeybees and they grow in moist climates where water is less of an issue.
Soy: back in favour, as soy is the only plant milk that comes close to offering a protein content comparable to dairy
Oat: our humble hero (the best!), as oats are grown in cooler climates such as the northern US and Canada, and are therefore not associated with deforestation in developing countries
Source: The Guardian
