Celebrating World Plant Milk Day

Every year on 22nd August, people around the world raise a glass – of oat, soy, almond, or any other plant-based milk – to celebrate World Plant Milk Day. 

The day shines a spotlight on the growing popularity of dairy-free alternatives and encourages us to explore how choosing plant-based options can benefit our health, the planet, and even our taste buds.

What is World Plant Milk Day?

World Plant Milk Day was created to raise awareness of the wide variety of dairy alternatives available. It’s a celebration of choice – from creamy oat milk for your morning coffee to refreshing coconut milk in smoothies, or pea and hemp milk in protein shakes. 

Whether you’re vegan, lactose-intolerant, or simply curious, the day invites everyone to give plant milk a try.

Why Choose Plant Milk?

There are many reasons people are switching to plant-based alternatives:

Health Benefits – Plant milks are often lower in saturated fats than cow’s milk and many are fortified with vitamins such as B12, D, and calcium. They can also be easier to digest for those with lactose intolerance.

Environmental Impact – Producing plant-based milks typically requires less land and water and results in lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to dairy farming.

Animal Welfare – Choosing plant milk avoids the use of animals in the production process, aligning with vegan and cruelty-free lifestyles.

Variety of Flavours – With so many options available, there’s a plant milk to suit every taste and recipe.

How to Celebrate World Plant Milk Day

If you’d like to take part, here are some fun and simple ways to mark the occasion:

Try Something New – If you usually drink soy, why not branch out and try oat, almond, rice, or hazelnut milk today?

Bake or Cook with Plant Milk – Use coconut milk in a curry, almond milk in pancakes, or oat milk in a creamy pasta sauce.

Share Your Creations – Post your plant milk recipes or drinks on social media with the hashtag #WorldPlantMilkDay to inspire others.

Support Local Brands – Many UK-based companies are producing high-quality plant milks – buying from them supports local businesses and sustainability.

Switch for a Week – Challenge yourself to use plant milk exclusively for seven days and see how easy (and tasty) it is to make the change.

A Toast to the Future

World Plant Milk Day isn’t just about one day – it’s about encouraging a longer-term shift towards healthier and more sustainable choices. With supermarkets and cafés now offering a wide range of plant-based options, there has never been a better time to celebrate.

So, this 22nd August, whether you’re pouring oat milk into your tea, frothing soy milk for a latte, or blending a smoothie with cashew milk, join millions around the world in raising a glass to plant-based living.

Delicious and Nutritious Alternatives to Peanut Butter

Peanut butter has been a household staple for well over 100 years. It's beloved for its creamy texture and protein-packed punch. 

But unfortunately not everyone can enjoy it. Peanut allergies, dietary preferences, or simply the desire to try something new has encouraged many to look for alternatives. Thankfully, there’s a wide range of tasty spreads that can step in and even offer unique nutritional benefits.

Why Look Beyond Peanut Butter?

Allergies: Peanut allergies are among the most common food allergies, especially in children.

Variety: Trying different nut and seed butters can bring fresh flavours to your toast, smoothies, and bakes.

Nutrition: Some alternatives contain more fibre, omega-3s, or other valuable nutrients.

Top Alternatives to Peanut Butter

1. Almond Butter

Rich in vitamin E, magnesium, and calcium, almond butter is a smooth and slightly sweet alternative. It pairs beautifully with apple slices or drizzled over porridge.

2. Cashew Butter

Creamy and mild, cashew butter has a subtle flavour that works well in both sweet and savoury dishes. It’s often used in vegan cooking to make creamy sauces and desserts.

3. Hazelnut Butter

If you’re fond of Nutella but want something less sugary, pure hazelnut butter is a luxurious option. Its rich, nutty taste works well with bananas or spread on wholegrain toast.

4. Walnut Butter

Walnuts are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, making walnut butter an excellent choice for heart health. Its earthy flavour is best enjoyed blended into smoothies or spread thinly on crackers.

5. Sunflower Seed Butter

A brilliant option for those with nut allergies, sunflower seed butter has a slightly earthy taste and is high in vitamin E. It’s especially popular in schools where nut-free policies are in place.

6. Pumpkin Seed Butter

Deep green in colour and rich in iron, zinc, and magnesium, pumpkin seed butter is a powerhouse spread. Its savoury notes make it a great match for oatcakes or stirred into soups.

7. Tahini (Sesame Seed Paste)

Best known for its starring role in hummus, tahini is made from ground sesame seeds. It’s high in calcium and has a distinctive nutty, slightly bitter taste. Delicious in dressings, dips, or even drizzled over roasted vegetables.

8. Soy Butter

Another nut-free alternative, soy butter has a taste and texture close to peanut butter, making it a great swap for sandwiches and baking.

9. Coconut Butter

Made from the flesh of coconuts, this option has a naturally sweet flavour. It solidifies at room temperature but melts beautifully when spread on warm toast or stirred into porridge.

Creative Ways to Use Peanut Butter Alternatives

Smoothies: Blend cashew or almond butter for creaminess.

Baking: Swap sunflower seed butter into biscuits or flapjacks for a nut-free treat.

Cooking: Use tahini in salad dressings or walnut butter in pasta sauces.

Snacking: Pair apple slices with hazelnut butter or oatcakes with pumpkin seed butter.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re avoiding peanuts or simply fancy a change, the world of nut and seed butters offers plenty of exciting options. Each spread brings its own unique flavour and nutritional profile, so don’t be afraid to experiment and find your favourites. Your morning toast may never be the same again!

Alternatives to Peanuts and Peanut Butter for People with a Peanut Allergy

Peanuts are a popular snack and ingredient around the world, but for those with a peanut allergy, avoiding them is crucial for health and safety.

Fortunately, there are a variety of delicious and nutritious alternatives to both peanuts and peanut butter. 

From nut butters to seed spreads, the options are vast, allowing people with allergies to still enjoy similar textures and tastes. 

Here, we explore some of the best alternatives and how to use them in your daily diet.

1. Almond Butter

Why It’s Great: Almond butter is rich in healthy fats, vitamin E, and magnesium. Its creamy texture makes it an excellent replacement for peanut butter in sandwiches, smoothies, and baking recipes.

How to Use It: Spread almond butter on toast, blend it into smoothies, or use it as a base for sauces and dressings. It’s slightly sweeter than peanut butter, which adds a lovely depth to baked goods.

2. Cashew Butter

Why It’s Great: With a naturally creamy and mild flavour, cashew butter is an excellent option for those who prefer a less intense nut taste. Cashews are also high in iron, zinc, and magnesium.

How to Use It: Cashew butter works well in desserts like cakes and biscuits, as well as in savoury dishes like curries. Its creaminess also lends itself to dairy-free sauces.

3. Sunflower Seed Butter

Why It’s Great: Sunflower seed butter is a fantastic peanut butter substitute for those who are allergic to all tree nuts. It’s packed with vitamins E and B6, magnesium, and iron.

How to Use It: This versatile spread can be used just like peanut butter. It’s excellent in sandwiches, spreads well on crackers, and is delicious when blended into smoothies or spread on apple slices.

4. Soy Nut Butter

Why It’s Great: Made from roasted soybeans, soy nut butter is nut-free and full of protein, making it a suitable substitute for peanut butter. It’s also lower in fat compared to many other nut butters.

How to Use It: Soy nut butter has a similar taste and texture to peanut butter and can be used as a direct substitute. Try it on toast, or pair it with jam for a classic ‘PB&J’ alternative.

5. Tahini

Why It’s Great: Tahini, made from ground sesame seeds, is a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine. It’s high in healthy fats and calcium, making it a nutritious addition to any meal.

How to Use It: Tahini has a slightly bitter taste, but its rich flavour complements both sweet and savoury dishes. Use it in salad dressings, hummus, and sauces, or drizzle it over yoghurt and fruit.

6. Pumpkin Seed Butter

Why It’s Great: Pumpkin seed butter is a nut-free alternative loaded with antioxidants, zinc, and magnesium. Its unique green colour and earthy flavour make it an interesting addition to many dishes.

How to Use It: This spread is delicious in smoothies, spread over toast, or stirred into oatmeal. Its subtle flavour also pairs well with chocolate and berries, making it perfect for baking.

7. Coconut Butter

Why It’s Great: Coconut butter is made from the whole coconut flesh, offering a rich, sweet flavour. While it’s quite different from peanut butter, it provides a smooth, creamy texture.

How to Use It: Coconut butter is delicious on toast, stirred into porridge, or used as a topping for pancakes. It’s also a wonderful addition to smoothies and can be used as a substitute in baking for a coconut-flavoured twist.

8. Biscoff Spread

Why It’s Great: Although Biscoff spread isn’t as high in nutrients as nut or seed butters, it offers a safe, nut-free alternative with a distinctive caramel flavour that many people enjoy.

How to Use It: Use it as a spread on toast, drizzle it over desserts, or swirl it into your ice cream for a decadent treat.

Choosing the Right Alternative

When choosing a peanut butter substitute, consider both taste and nutritional content. Nut and seed butters offer more protein and healthy fats than spreads like Biscoff, making them better choices for those who prioritise health benefits. For those who simply want a safe alternative with similar versatility, sunflower seed butter, soy nut butter, and tahini are solid, allergen-friendly choices.

With these peanut alternatives, there’s no need to miss out on the flavours and textures you love. Experiment with these options in your favourite recipes and discover which alternatives best suit your taste and lifestyle.