Plant-based Milk in Vienna

Vienna offers a wide variety of plant-based milk, though they aren’t actually called ‘milk’ here. Instead, their names are printed as ingredient name + ‘drink.’ You’ll easily find options like oat, almond, soy, rice, and coconut milk in most major supermarkets (some even have hazelnuts and spelt). My personal favorite is a product amusingly called NOT MILK. It's probably derived from the phrase "It’s not milk" but stopped short at "not milk" and apparently ended up being the product name itself.

The concept behind NOT MILK is to make a plant-based alternative that tastes more like cow’s milk. While none of the ones I’ve tried exactly match the flavor of full-fat cow’s milk (which may not even be the goal anyway), some come close to skim milk. It could be a good option for those who enjoy the taste of dairy but want to explore plant-based alternatives.

Plant-based milk comes in different types, too, with the most common being Regular and Barista. Barista type is designed to foam more easily, making it ideal for your coffee. Even when it doesn't foam, Barista tends to have a richer texture, which is why we often use it for everything at home—Just a heads-up: If you use Barista milk in recipes like stew, it can foam up quite a bit, giving your dish an unexpected appearance (I find it funny, so I still use it for cooking it, though!).

When it comes to brands, you’ll find well-known ones like Oatly and Alpro, alongside smaller, local, or even store-branded options. Prices can vary significantly—for example, a well-known brand might cost twice as much as a store brand.

However, a higher price doesn’t always mean better taste than the cheaper options. I'm sure there are several reasons for the price differences. It might reflect ingredient quality, but you can still find high-quality ingredients in some cheaper brands. Sometimes, the price difference is simply because certain products are local, making them more affordable. It’s definitely worth taking the time to read the packaging—often written in German, but with a little help from a translation app, you can still get the key information—and choosing a product you feel good about. In the end, try a variety of options without letting price sway your judgment!

Each plant-based milk has its own subtle differences in flavor depending on the brand—like one soy milk being slightly sweeter than another. The differences aren’t drastic, so you won’t get any big surprises. I’ve noticed some soy milks leave some pulp when poured into a glass, though that might just be me shaking the carton too much before pouring 😅

So, when you’re in Vienna, don’t miss out on trying these plant-based options. You might just discover a new favorite drink🥛