Sewing Your Oats… Milk

Online grocer FreshDirect states that one of the biggest food trends in both 2018 and 2019 they’re seeing is an emphasis on oats. Specifically, oat milk, which they believe is poised to surpass nut milks in the world of dairy alternatives.

Oat Milk completely changed the milk substitute game in 2018. So much so that it was fairly clear the beverage, unlike some of its other nut-based, non-dairy predecessors, wasn’t going anywhere. Now of the more mainstream dairy milk-alternative companies, Silk, recently announcement that it is introducing its own line of oat milks called, get ready, “Oat Yeah.”

Though the name might be a bit cheesy, fans of all thing oats will probably be thrilled that a new option will soon be gracing grocery store shelves, thus hopefully reducing hysteria caused by recent oat milk shortages. Did you know that during this “oat milk shortage crisis,” retailers have been charging, and what’s worse, shoppers have been paying over $200 online for a $5 container of milk made from oats. Come on, people!

Unsurprisingly, Silk decided to get into the oat milk game based on consumer trends. Nikita McKinney, Silk’s Senior Brand manager, recently stated, “We closely track trends in the U.S. and around the world to identify new products that will deliver the taste, nutrition, and environmental stewardship we value as a brand.”

After identifying oat milk as a product it was interested in releasing, Silk worked to develop the perfect formula. “To prepare for the launch of Silk’s new Oat Yeah oat milk, we spent years perfecting the product’s taste and texture to ensure it would meet our customers’ expectations. Oat Yeah offers a smooth, creamy texture inspired by dairy milk, and is also a great option for non-dairy drinkers with nut allergies.” Mckinney explained.

Though oat milk gained popularity in America in large part thanks to coffee baristas’ enthusiasm for the product, “Oat Yeah” will not be available in coffee shops, at least for now. According to Mckinney, “Right now, Silk is focusing introducing new Silk Oat Yeah oat milk at grocery retailers nationwide… It is our hope that consumers and baristas alike will enjoy our new, versatile and creamy oat milk.” This, of course, means that the oat milk shortage many coffee shops have recently been affected by may not actually be solved by the introduction of this new brand of oat milk. However, it does give customers the option to make their own oat milk lattes at home. Unless they run out of it at the store.

When asked if Silk had taken specific actions to prepare for the high demand of “Oat Yeah” and avoid a shortage situation, Mckinney simply said “We are excited to see how Silk fans react to our newest, dairy-free offering and are working closely with our retail partners to ensure every Silk fan will find delicious Oat Yeah oat milk in their area.” So, uh, sort of, kinda, not really?

Silk’s new “Oat Yeah” oat milk will come in three flavors, plain, vanilla, and chocolate, and according to the brand’s official announcement, the suggested retail price is $4.49 of a half-gallon carton, which is about 50 cents less than the market’s current leader, Oatly’s suggested price for a half-gallon of its “Original Oat Milk.” (Unless you bought it online for $200, which is just, stop it.) Silk’s oat milk will begin being stocked at most major grocery stores like Target, Publix, Walmart, and Sprouts in January, 2019.

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Photo Credit: Oleksandra Naumenko / Shutterstock.com