For many Brits, a good cup of coffee is a daily ritual, and oat milk has become the plant-based companion of choice. However, with the leading brand, Oatly, carrying a premium price tag, one writer decided to put three budget supermarket alternatives to the test.
The Budget Barista Showdown
Spare Time writer Nicola Roy, a self-confessed oat milk enthusiast, took on the challenge in late November. While the plant-based diet peak may have passed, for many it remains a lifestyle. Roy, who has avoided dairy for years, still relies on a popular plant milk for her coffee, praising its creamy and sweet taste.
With Oatly Barista Edition costing £2.20 per litre at major supermarkets like Tesco and Sainsbury's, the quest for a more affordable yet equally delicious option began. Roy sourced barista-style oat milks from three leading discounters: Aldi, Lidl, and Asda. The barista versions are specifically formulated with a higher fat content to froth better when heated, making them ideal for lattes and cappuccinos.
The price points were immediately appealing. Both Aldi's ActiLeaf and Lidl's own-brand oat milk were priced at just £1.25 per litre. Asda's offering was slightly more at £1.45 per litre, but all three represented a significant saving compared to the £2.20 benchmark set by Oatly.
The Taste Test Results
Roy prepared three separate cups of coffee to conduct a blind taste test, assessing each milk on its frothing capability, texture, and most importantly, its flavour.
A Bitter Disappointment from Aldi
Starting with Aldi's ActiLeaf, hopes were initially high as the milk frothed up promisingly. However, the first sip revealed a disappointing reality. The milk was described as having a quite bitter taste, a departure from the expected creamy sweetness. It was also notably thin and left an unusual aftertaste that lingered. While the price was low, the experience was not one Roy would seek to repeat.
Rating: 2 out of 5
Lidl's Offering Falls Flat
Next up was the oat milk from Lidl, matching Aldi's price of £1.25. Despite having enjoyed Lidl's regular oat milk in the past, the barista edition was a letdown. Crucially for a product designed for coffee, it didn't really foam up at all. The texture was watery, and it shared a strange aftertaste similar to the Aldi version.
Rating: 1 out of 5
Asda's Surprising Victory
The final contender was Asda's barista oat milk, costing 20p more than its rivals at £1.45. It made a strong first impression with its visually appealing carton. More importantly, it performed well where it counted: it had a promising pour and frothed up nicely. On flavour, it was the clear winner. Roy found it to be creamy and sweet, and very similar to Oatly. She even suggested it might be better, considering its lower price. The verdict was emphatic: if she hadn't purchased it herself, she wouldn't have known it was different from her usual Oatly.
Rating: 5 out of 5
The Verdict for Your Wallet
The taste test delivered a clear winner. While two of the budget options were disappointments, Asda's barista oat milk emerged as a true contender, offering a taste experience comparable to—and potentially even surpassing—the market leader Oatly, but for a fraction of the cost. For consumers looking to reduce their grocery spending without compromising on the quality of their morning coffee, Asda's offering is certainly worth a try.
