How is soya milk made? Let’s just stop right there. What was it Shakespeare said? What’s in a name? Well, as it turns out, quite a lot. When it comes to our products, we like to call a plant-based spade a plant-based spade. Because all of our products are plant-based and dairy-free, there’s just no way we can call it milk. That’s why you’ll always see us refer to our dairy alternatives as ‘drinks’, because that’s exactly what they are.
But what are soya based drinks? And how are they made?
Soya drinks are a delicious plant-based alternative to milk. Whether you’re looking to limit the amount of dairy you consume, follow a vegan diet or are dealing with an allergy or intolerance, soya drinks are a super tasty (not to mention incredibly versatile) option. From field and harvest to coffee cup and cereal bowl - we’re covering the entire soya drink journey. Making sure you know everything there is to know about one of the most famous plant-based alternatives out there.
What are soya drinks made from?
The main ingredients of a soya drink are soya beans and water. Yes, it really is that simple.
Of course, different products will have different additional ingredients. And here at Alpro, our soya drinks are fortified with the good stuff, including calcium for the maintenance of normal bones, as well as vitamins B2, B12 and D. It’s also naturally high in plant-protein, and low in saturated fats. Enjoy it as part of a varied, balanced diet and healthy lifestyle!
How are soya drinks made?
Throughout history, soya drinks are made using a really simple process, which involves soaking the soya beans before grinding them and adding water. Once that’s done, the mixture is strained and heated before being refrigerated.
Here at Alpro, we’ve not strayed too far from tradition when it comes to how we make our soya drinks (if ain’t broke don’t fix it, right?), and we can’t wait to tell you all about it. After all, every day’s a school day!
But before we do, we want you to know that whilst our soya drinks might be big on taste,. Not one soybean comes from the rainforest, and there’s zero genetic modification involved. They’re simply and responsibly sourced, . What’s not to love?
Step 1: The great soya voyage: from field to factory
A true classic when it comes to dairy-free products, our soybeans are grown in Europe, with the majority (60% to be precise) coming from France, Belgium and The Netherlands.
The rest are sourced from across the pond in Canada, where we transport them by sea back to our factory here in the UK
We also like to keep in touch with the farmers that we work with, just so we can make sure how water usage is affecting the local ecosystems. [RZ1]
Step 2: From bean to cup - making the magic happen
Once the beans have sailed into our factory, they are mechanically cleaned and then soaked in water and ground to extract the soya base milk, before heating/processing.
Step 3: Filtered and fabulous - smooth and creamy
Once the mixture has been heated, it’s then filtered ready to be packaged.
And just like that you’ve got a creamy, yummy and oh so smooth soya drink that you’ll be using with all of your favourite foods.
Ready to give it a whirl?
Now you know how they’re made, all that’s left for you to do is to enjoy. Take a look at some of the scrumptious Alpro soya drinks available, ready and waiting to tickle your taste buds.