My GF loves lattes, but she’s lactose intolerant. She refuses to take lactose pills, for some unknown reason.
I’ve tried making lattes with skin milk and almond milk, but they don’t foam quite the same way whole milk does. Any suggestions?
FYI, lactase is a complete solution for some, and does absolutely nothing to help others. That’s very likely the “unknown reason”.
Soy and rice milk both make a perfectly passable latte, for those blighted with intolerance for the to real thing. Like most milk alternates, it’s fantastic as soon as one has forgotten how good actual milk was.
If you’re looking to get a similar texture to whole milk, your best bet is probably an alternative milk with a similar fat profile to whole milk. That’s what makes whole milk the ideal milk steam so nicely. Many alternative milk brands will have a “barista” version of their milk that is intended to steam as nicely as whole milk. In my own experience, these have had much better texture than lactose-free whole milks, but you might have to hunt for a brand with a flavor that your gf likes.
Skim milk still contains virtually all of the lactose, by the way. Lactose is water soluble, so it remains in the milk when the fat is skimmed off.
As others have suggested, lactose free milk is the best option. (which is just milk with a small amount of lactase. Your body naturally makes lactase, it’s not some kind of unnatural chemical).
However, if your GF has objections to lactase, soy milk is a great alternative. Soy milk foam is firmer than cow milk foam, but it tastes less sweet. You could add sugar to compensate, but I find I actually favor the taste over regular milk.
What about lactaid milk? I think if you use a whole milk version of lactaid it should foam like regular whole milk.
