You're familiar with almond milk, coconut milk, and perhaps hemp milk. But in Europe, nondairy milk brands are churning out some unexpected drink options that are difficult to find or not even available in the U.S., like milk made from millet, tigernuts, and spelt. According to consumer marketing firm DairyCo, sales of plant-based milks surged by more than 30 percent in Great Britain alone last year. "And Europe tends to be very trendy and cutting edge, so it's only natural that they'd have newer stuff," says Nicolette Pace, R.D., a nutrition counselor with a high European clientele.
Kamut Milk
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The Bridge Bio Kamut Drink is versatile for sauces, baked goods, and in coffee, the company says. If you crave something more exotic, Amandin, a Spanish company, sells milk made from the ancient grain with goji berries mixed in.
Spelt Milk
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The Swiss love this wheat-like grain. In their homeland you'll find plain spelt milk, chocolate spelt milk, spelt milk fortified with calcium from red algae, and even spelt milk with hazelnuts, all of which run you less than 100 calories.
Algae Milk
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Solazyme, a U.S. company that makes algae protein powder and flour, plans to debut algae milk next spring. The algae flour, which is packed with healthy fats and fiber, is the main ingredient in the milk, along with whey protein concentrate, sugar, vanilla, and salt, so each cup has 5g protein, 2g fiber, and 7g sugars for 120 calories. And don't worry, it's a pale, buttery color, not neon green.