Milk has been an Australian kitchen staple for many generations, with lovers of the calcium-rich drink adopting the habit of always having their favourite drink in the fridge at all times.

However, gone are the days when Australia’s milk choices were limited to just the full-cream or low fat varieties…

‘Low fat, no fat, full cream, high calcium, high protein, soy, light, skim, omega 3, high calcium with vitamin D and folate, or extra dollop?’ Ring a bell? The number of options has only continued to grow.

The dairy aisle of the supermarket is rapidly expanding, with a new type of milk being introduced seemingly every couple of years. First we had skim, then soy, and then along came almond, oat and every other option under the sun (there’s even rice and macadamia milk!).
Many young Aussies — known as millennials and generation Z — are embracing vegetarianism and even veganisn lifestyles these days. While vegetarians avoid meat but embrace dairy, vegans have said goodbye to anything related to animals (eggs, dairy, meat, even leather).

According to 2022 census data, there were more than 2.5 million Australians who identified as either vegetarian or vegan at that time, which translates to an increase of 50 per cent compared to the preceding decade.

So what does this mean? Basically, cow milk is becoming less and less popular, with more and more customers option for plant ‘milk’ alternatives.

More and more Australians are shifting to a plant-based diet, hence the reason why plant-based milk is becoming more popular. Credit: Pexels/Pixabay.

But while the trend of using plant-based milk has grown exponentially in recent years, plant-based milk products have yet to completely unseat cow's milk as the most popular dairy product in Australia.

It would be remiss of us not to note that this influx may be due to health reasons (such as an increase in the number of people diagnosed with lactose intolerance). It is estimated that roughly one in 20 Australians have some degree of lactose intolerance.

A recent Nine.com.au reader survey discovered that an overwhelming majority of Australians still remain loyal to full cream cow's milk when shopping at the supermarket.

The survey discovered that 57 per cent of voters said that full-cream milk was still their go-to choice.

Skim milk came in a distant second at 29 per cent, thanks to it containing less than 0.15g fat per 100ml.

Meanwhile, long-life milk – which is scientifically treated to have an extended shelf life – was the third most popular choice, purchased by 16 per cent of people.

In terms of plant ‘milk’ options, almond milk emerged as the most popular choice, accounting for 8 per cent of respondents. Soy milk and oat milk tied in popularity at 6 per cent of votes each.

And coming in at the least preferred choice was goat’s milk – surprisingly, only one per cent said this was their go-to during 2022.

The preferred type of milk of Australians, as collected by 9Honey. Image Credit: Seniors Discount Club.

With the sudden influx of plant-based milks on the market, many people wonder whether it’s right to even call them ‘milk’ or if the label should only be attributed to the original animal-based options.

Key Takeaways

• Full cream milk is still the most popular dairy choice for Australians according to a recent reader survey.
• Following closely behind was skimmed milk, as well as long-life milk.
• Plant-based milks, such as almond and soy milk, are becoming increasingly popular.

What do you think? Do you drink plant-based milk or are you in the 57 per cent? We here at the SDC have to admit we’re partial to a soy cappuccino every once in a while (but that’s just because most of us are sadly lactose intolerant). What do you think of the call to stop calling plant-based alternatives ‘milk’?

Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

 

[Jest]

with all this RUSHING about that seniors do to grab a bargain they must be absolutely worn out. As I am not a milk lover no comment on what people buy.

 

[MariaG]

Milk has been an Australian kitchen staple for many generations, with lovers of the calcium-rich drink adopting the habit of always having their favourite drink in the fridge at all times.

However, gone are the days when Australia’s milk choices were limited to just the full-cream or low fat varieties…

‘Low fat, no fat, full cream, high calcium, high protein, soy, light, skim, omega 3, high calcium with vitamin D and folate, or extra dollop?’ Ring a bell? The number of options has only continued to grow.

The dairy aisle of the supermarket is rapidly expanding, with a new type of milk being introduced seemingly every couple of years. First we had skim, then soy, and then along came almond, oat and every other option under the sun (there’s even rice and macadamia milk!).
Many young Aussies — known as millennials and generation Z — are embracing vegetarianism and even veganisn lifestyles these days. While vegetarians avoid meat but embrace dairy, vegans have said goodbye to anything related to animals (eggs, dairy, meat, even leather).

According to 2022 census data, there were more than 2.5 million Australians who identified as either vegetarian or vegan at that time, which translates to an increase of 50 per cent compared to the preceding decade.

So what does this mean? Basically, cow milk is becoming less and less popular, with more and more customers option for plant ‘milk’ alternatives.

More and more Australians are shifting to a plant-based diet, hence the reason why plant-based milk is becoming more popular. Credit: Pexels/Pixabay.

But while the trend of using plant-based milk has grown exponentially in recent years, plant-based milk products have yet to completely unseat cow's milk as the most popular dairy product in Australia.

It would be remiss of us not to note that this influx may be due to health reasons (such as an increase in the number of people diagnosed with lactose intolerance). It is estimated that roughly one in 20 Australians have some degree of lactose intolerance.

A recent Nine.com.au reader survey discovered that an overwhelming majority of Australians still remain loyal to full cream cow's milk when shopping at the supermarket.

The survey discovered that 57 per cent of voters said that full-cream milk was still their go-to choice.

Skim milk came in a distant second at 29 per cent, thanks to it containing less than 0.15g fat per 100ml.

Meanwhile, long-life milk – which is scientifically treated to have an extended shelf life – was the third most popular choice, purchased by 16 per cent of people.

In terms of plant ‘milk’ options, almond milk emerged as the most popular choice, accounting for 8 per cent of respondents. Soy milk and oat milk tied in popularity at 6 per cent of votes each.

And coming in at the least preferred choice was goat’s milk – surprisingly, only one per cent said this was their go-to during 2022.

View attachment 13464

The preferred type of milk of Australians, as collected by 9Honey. Image Credit: Seniors Discount Club.

With the sudden influx of plant-based milks on the market, many people wonder whether it’s right to even call them ‘milk’ or if the label should only be attributed to the original animal-based options.

Key Takeaways

• Full cream milk is still the most popular dairy choice for Australians according to a recent reader survey.
• Following closely behind was skimmed milk, as well as long-life milk.
• Plant-based milks, such as almond and soy milk, are becoming increasingly popular.

What do you think? Do you drink plant-based milk or are you in the 57 per cent? We here at the SDC have to admit we’re partial to a soy cappuccino every once in a while (but that’s just because most of us are sadly lactose intolerant). What do you think of the call to stop calling plant-based alternatives ‘milk’?

Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

I grew up around the real thing. One of my chores was to milk Jenny the cow. We drank milk the way nature intended, made our own cheese and butter and it was glorious.
The modern age has denied many of the joys of living off the land. We did not have a farm, and in fact, lived in the suburb of a good size city. It was a good size block that was utilised to the enth degree with natural living. We had chooks, ducks, turkeys, pigs, goats and a cow. We grew our own veggies and citrus, and were pretty much self sufficient. Low fat milk did not exist, and, fortunately for us, there were no intolerance issues of any kind in our family.
Those were the days.
I have a question though...what does an almond cow look like?

 

[Biedronka]

As a person who is lactose intolerant I am afraid I like my soy milk. Having been bought up on goats milk I cannot stomach that milk now, however.

Zymil produce a non lactose milk as does coles. Zymil also have cream and custard. For people who are lactose intolerant. . My daughter. Drinks that.

 

[Biedronka]

As a person who is lactose intolerant I am afraid I like my soy milk. Having been bought up on goats milk I cannot stomach that milk now, however.

I'm lactose intolerant & drink lactose free milk at home & at cafes. If I'm at a friend's place, I take a lacteeze tablet with me for regular milk. Don't like the taste much of soy.

 

[Aussie all the Way]

It's funny how there are soooooooooooooo many children and some adults but mainly children that have an allergy to something nowadays, I'm 63 when I went to school we had never heard of allergies because they few and faaaaaaaaaaaaar between, wonder WHY that is, could it have something to do with their eating habits or something else, when we were kids we had a choice of fresh food and fresh food, take away was fish and chips, none of the garbage that is on offer now, perhaps people should go back to eating the way of their Grand Parents, just a thought. Hmmmmm

 

[Penny4]

It's funny how there are soooooooooooooo many children and some adults but mainly children that have an allergy to something nowadays, I'm 63 when I went to school we had never heard of allergies because they few and faaaaaaaaaaaaar between, wonder WHY that is, could it have something to do with their eating habits or something else, when we were kids we had a choice of fresh food and fresh food, take away was fish and chips, none of the garbage that is on offer now, perhaps people should go back to eating the way of their Grand Parents, just a thought. Hmmmmm

Yep I'm about the same age as you. When we were growing up, people used to say we had a sick stomach but never a name to it. Allergic or something like that so people would avoid food like milk. No lactose free milk in those days. Babies can be born with lactose intolerance and have dreadful diarrhea.

 

[Shane/#]

Milk has been an Australian kitchen staple for many generations, with lovers of the calcium-rich drink adopting the habit of always having their favourite drink in the fridge at all times.

However, gone are the days when Australia’s milk choices were limited to just the full-cream or low fat varieties…

‘Low fat, no fat, full cream, high calcium, high protein, soy, light, skim, omega 3, high calcium with vitamin D and folate, or extra dollop?’ Ring a bell? The number of options has only continued to grow.

The dairy aisle of the supermarket is rapidly expanding, with a new type of milk being introduced seemingly every couple of years. First we had skim, then soy, and then along came almond, oat and every other option under the sun (there’s even rice and macadamia milk!).
Many young Aussies — known as millennials and generation Z — are embracing vegetarianism and even veganisn lifestyles these days. While vegetarians avoid meat but embrace dairy, vegans have said goodbye to anything related to animals (eggs, dairy, meat, even leather).

According to 2022 census data, there were more than 2.5 million Australians who identified as either vegetarian or vegan at that time, which translates to an increase of 50 per cent compared to the preceding decade.

So what does this mean? Basically, cow milk is becoming less and less popular, with more and more customers option for plant ‘milk’ alternatives.

More and more Australians are shifting to a plant-based diet, hence the reason why plant-based milk is becoming more popular. Credit: Pexels/Pixabay.

But while the trend of using plant-based milk has grown exponentially in recent years, plant-based milk products have yet to completely unseat cow's milk as the most popular dairy product in Australia.

It would be remiss of us not to note that this influx may be due to health reasons (such as an increase in the number of people diagnosed with lactose intolerance). It is estimated that roughly one in 20 Australians have some degree of lactose intolerance.

A recent Nine.com.au reader survey discovered that an overwhelming majority of Australians still remain loyal to full cream cow's milk when shopping at the supermarket.

The survey discovered that 57 per cent of voters said that full-cream milk was still their go-to choice.

Skim milk came in a distant second at 29 per cent, thanks to it containing less than 0.15g fat per 100ml.

Meanwhile, long-life milk – which is scientifically treated to have an extended shelf life – was the third most popular choice, purchased by 16 per cent of people.

In terms of plant ‘milk’ options, almond milk emerged as the most popular choice, accounting for 8 per cent of respondents. Soy milk and oat milk tied in popularity at 6 per cent of votes each.

And coming in at the least preferred choice was goat’s milk – surprisingly, only one per cent said this was their go-to during 2022.

View attachment 13464

The preferred type of milk of Australians, as collected by 9Honey. Image Credit: Seniors Discount Club.

With the sudden influx of plant-based milks on the market, many people wonder whether it’s right to even call them ‘milk’ or if the label should only be attributed to the original animal-based options.

Key Takeaways

• Full cream milk is still the most popular dairy choice for Australians according to a recent reader survey.
• Following closely behind was skimmed milk, as well as long-life milk.
• Plant-based milks, such as almond and soy milk, are becoming increasingly popular.

What do you think? Do you drink plant-based milk or are you in the 57 per cent? We here at the SDC have to admit we’re partial to a soy cappuccino every once in a while (but that’s just because most of us are sadly lactose intolerant). What do you think of the call to stop calling plant-based alternatives ‘milk’?

Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

I'm still trying to work out where they hide the titts/teats on all these plants and nuts etc mammal have milk so your paying shit loads for a water derivative crazy

 

[Jumping Jack Flash]

I can no longer abide the taste of milk, thanks to growing up a school that had its milk delivered during the Summer months and left to sit in that same sun until mid morning - approximately 1.5 hours!
I now prefer soy and buttermilk, both of which I can tolerate quite easily.

 

[Aussie all the Way]

Who says that milk only comes from Animals!!

I know it says milk is produced by the glands of female mammals but if you have a plant product that works exactly how milk does then who says it can't be called milk

I only like cows milk but that's what I grew up on .

5 of my grandchildren have severe dairy allergies 3 have rice milk and the other 2 love oat milk.

I've actually read many many times that we shouldn't be drinking other animals milk .
When you look at what cows milk does to our respiratory system and our gut then we wouldn't drink it.
Why are more and more people having so many different reactions when they have cows milk.

We are talking about the WORD MILK, you know the stuff that comes from a MAMMARY Gland of an ANIMAL NOT the workings of it. Anything else is not MILK it can't be, it is juice or nectar.

 

[Liz]

Zymil produce a non lactose milk as does coles. Zymil also have cream and custard. For people who are lactose intolerant. . My daughter. Drinks that.

Even Zymil upsets me for some unknown reason, I was tried on it in hospital and it is a no go for me, unfortunately.

 

[GLS]

When I was oh so much younger you would go to the shop and buy MILK not have to choose between 8 or more varieties. It generally lasted 2-3 days before going sour. Do people actually read all the additives that go into dairy products these days that make things last for weeks (i.e. cream) no wonder the generation of today have allergies.

 

[TheBear]

For all the people getting their knickers in twist about the usage of the word MILK. Copied from Wikipedia.

Before commercial production of 'milks' from legumes, beans and nuts, plant-based mixtures resembling milk have existed for centuries.[10] The Wabanaki and other Native American tribal nations in the northeastern United States made milk and infant formula from nuts.[11][12]

Horchata, a beverage originally made in North Africa from soaked, ground, and sweetened tiger nuts, spread to Iberia (now Spain) before the year 1000.[13][14] In English, the word "milk" has been used to refer to "milk-like plant juices" since 1200 CE.[7]

Recipes from the 13th-century Levant exist describing almond milk.[15] Soy was a plant milk used in China during the 14th century.[3][13] In Medieval England, almond milk was used in dishes such as ris alkere (a type of rice pudding)[16] and appears in the recipe collection, The Forme of Cury.[17] Coconut milk (and coconut cream) are traditional ingredients in many cuisines such as in South and Southeast Asia, and are often used in curries.[18]

Plant milks may be regarded as milk substitutes in Western countries, but have traditionally been consumed in other parts of the world, especially ones where there are higher rates of lactose intolerance (see especially lactose intolerance: epidemiology section).[2]

 

[TheBear]

I grew up around the real thing. One of my chores was to milk Jenny the cow. We drank milk the way nature intended, made our own cheese and butter and it was glorious.
The modern age has denied many of the joys of living off the land. We did not have a farm, and in fact, lived in the suburb of a good size city. It was a good size block that was utilised to the enth degree with natural living. We had chooks, ducks, turkeys, pigs, goats and a cow. We grew our own veggies and citrus, and were pretty much self sufficient. Low fat milk did not exist, and, fortunately for us, there were no intolerance issues of any kind in our family.
Those were the days.
I have a question though...what does an almond cow look like?

Nature intended us to drink water.

 

[TheBear]

We are talking about the WORD MILK, you know the stuff that comes from a MAMMARY Gland of an ANIMAL NOT the workings of it. Anything else is not MILK it can't be, it is juice or nectar.

Coconut milk. Has been called that for .. I don't know how long... do we need to change that as well?

 

[Aussie all the Way]

Coconut milk. Has been called that for .. I don't know how long... do we need to change that as well?

Yep, everything from cows, camels, goats, dogs, platypus, cats, rats, mice any lactating animal is milk I would say because of its composition. Anything from a plant find another name.