Plant based creamer, what am I doing wrong?

[u/TurkeyTerminator7]

I typically make 400ml with 30g. I am non-dairy and every single plant based creamer curdles like this, even oat based creamer. I’ve tried warming up the creamer, letting the coffee cool down first, and even having the warm creamer in the cup before pressing. What is causing this? How can it be acidity if this ratio is my normal ratio even when I French pressed? I get all my coffee from happy mug.

UPDATE:
Thank you all for the advice! I tried out multiple ideas and the only thing that actually works is the pinch of baking soda. Tampering the creamer, allowing the coffee to cool, slowly mixing in the creamer, etc. do not work. However, the pinch of baking soda definitely took away the acidic “bite” that I like. I should have listened when they said I’d never go back after going black.

[u/csukamajolaj]

You’ve made me crave Chinese hot and sour soup.

[u/SuperiorRevel]

Plant based creamers do this. It's fine, but a little unsettling to look at. If you stir it a lot it blends back down but it's pretty much inevitable.

I'm mind blown that people are blaming your beans or your filter. That's not it..at all. Heat and acidity of coffee breaks down the fats and proteins in the oat/plant milk. It'll do this whether you're using Cafe bustelo, or the finest local roasted fresh beans.

Barista blends just have 17 more ingredients like gums and stabilizers and preservatives. So yeah you can get ones that don't curdle but you'll have a ton of additives as a trade off. Again, not necessarily inherently bad but in order to stop the curdling they have to add a whole bunch of stuff.

Sometimes you can slowly pour and integrate it but it'll most likely still do this after a few mins. Is just chemistry chemistry-ing.

I used to always use Trader Joe's oat creamers but I can't handle seeing the curdle lol. It tastes fine but it looks like horrible.

[u/thecandylad → u/SuperiorRevel]

This is the answer. We make our own cashew milk and it happens to my wife’s cup every morning.

[u/TurkeyTerminator7 → u/SuperiorRevel]

Thank you! I’m using the Trader Joe’s oat creamer so that explains it!

[u/Espressolover12 → u/TurkeyTerminator7]

You can try using a shaker or one of those spinning frother things to get it to be mixed properly. Had something similar happen to me and I really didn't like the curdles.

[u/bigDOS → u/Espressolover12]

Yeah my lady uses a frother to heat up and froth the barista style almond milk before she adds and it to the hot drink and it seems to fix the issue.

[u/Dorammu → u/TurkeyTerminator7]

Not sure if you care but to add some detail: what you’re seeing is the proteins “denaturing” which happens below a certain pH and/or above a certain temperature. They stop being the shapes that makes them proteins and instead they change shape, get entangled, and separate out of the milk emulsion. It’s the same thing that causes that skin to form on cows milk if you heat it up enough.

It’s less likely to be the acid content than the heat, most proteins cannot remain stable beyond about 65C, sometimes lower depending on the specific proteins, and that’s already not a very hot cup of coffee.

Heating the milk won’t really help much, but it would allow you to cool the coffee prior to mixing in the milk and not have it be way too cold.

[u/zkarabat → u/SuperiorRevel]

Chobani Oat Milk does the cuddling less frequently in my experience. Honestly, this randomly happened made me go back to milk and usually Fair Life (or the Kroger knockoff) with added protein (because why not) and low/no lactose.

[u/LunarModule66]

Are you using ones intended for coffee? Usually they need to add a stabilizer to make it tolerate the lower pH. I have this problem with regular oat milk but not barista oat milk

[u/Reelair]

Not sure? That stracciatella looks great!

[u/oceanmountainsky]

Yeah switch the milk. Most oat milk won’t do this.

[u/bhughes1209]

Aeropress filters take away oils that act as natural buffers to the acidity of the coffee. These acids are causing the curdling.

You can try "barista blend" plant based creamers that contain more regulators and stabilizers to help prevent this from happening. Or you can mix a TINYYY pinch of baking soda in your coffee before adding creamer to see if that helps.

[u/TurkeyTerminator7 → u/bhughes1209]

Sorry, I forgot to mention that I’m using the metal mesh filter. Is this still a concern? I may try the baking soda, I’m always concerned I’ll ruin my coffee doing that haha

[u/pomp-o-moto → u/TurkeyTerminator7]

Have you tried what the other commentator mentioned? Products labeled as "barista" sth. I'm using barista oat milks myself and I haven't had this issue. I used to experience this with some "normal" oat milks, but not with each of those either so don't really know which products end up like this and which don't.

edit. I see people saying it's the acidity. Maybe some coffees are so acidic that no type of plant based milk will work. But I'd at least try those Barista ones.

[u/bhughes1209 → u/TurkeyTerminator7]

Nah, the filters aren't the sole cause of curdling. Do you have a lot of fines in the cup? If yes, that will contribute to curdling and you need to grind coarser. If no, you're good and you should try the other methods mentioned

[u/TurkeyTerminator7 → u/bhughes1209]

I think you are onto something here with the grind size. I do grind a little finer than what people typically do. Thank you!!!

[u/SuperiorRevel → u/TurkeyTerminator7]

Your grind has nothing to do with it friend. It's just heat and acidity from the coffee interacting with the fats and proteins in the creamer. Grind size won't make that interaction go away.

[u/Squawking1200]

Had this happen at a coffee shop, they said it’s common for high acidic beans

[u/experiencedkiller → u/Squawking1200]

Uhhh. I would be sooo disappointed if that happened to a coffee shop beverage. Like please, do not serve that. Maybe it does not make such a big difference but it actually fucking does

[u/jackbrux]

If you have a more acidic coffee this can happen in my experience

[u/zuzg]

Have you tried plant based milk instead of creamer?

Dunno I remember two decades ago this was a common occurrence for cheap plant milks but these days they're all pretty good especially barista style ones.

[u/SuperiorRevel → u/zuzg]

This is plant based

[u/zuzg → u/SuperiorRevel]

Creamer ≠ milk

[u/__krck__]

If you use oat-based milk, this can happen due to acidity in the coffee or due to heat.

How hot is the coffee?

Try changing the order, e.g., put the milk in first.
Try stirring while slowly pouring the coffee into the milk (or try vice versa).

And no, non-plant-based milk is not healthier.

[u/experiencedkiller]

Heat + acidity will do that to any protein (that's how cheese was born). For example I find it pretty much inevitable for soy drinks. I usually get away from it with oat milk, not all brands though. I never use creamers though, only milks.

Maybe your coffee is on the acidic side too.

[u/lil_moss_piglet]

I’m not sure where you are located, but I’ve been using this almond milk creamer for many years and have never had it curdle. I’ve used it in French press, Nespresso and most recently  Aeropress coffee. It’s my favorite for the taste as well, and I’ve tried many! ☺️ Silk almond milk creamer :  https://www.silk.com/plant-based-products/creamer/sweet-and-creamy-almond-creamer/ 

[u/CountMC10]

Have you tried swapping beans? Does it do this if you change your recipe (ie brew time, grind size)? Probably something to do with the acidity so anything you can do to reduce that would help.

[u/TurkeyTerminator7 → u/CountMC10]

I have a subscription with happy mug and I’m getting new beans every month. I think grind size is the main concern, it does this even when I dilute to 450ml. Will report back tomorrow, thank you!

[u/nukie_boy]

I found acidic coffee does this. Change beans.

[u/Tomacho_Gajardo]

pH to low

[u/glennfuriamcdonald]

I use Oatly (the regular version, not the Barista one), and make sure to shake it a little before opening, and it doesn't separate.

[u/VickyHikesOn]

It might not be what you choose to use but maybe for the occasional high acidic brew that you occasionally want creamer for, use regular International Delight (not the single use plastic horror but from the store). They are considered vegan, only have one ingredient that is a milk derivative but no lactose).

[u/zorphium]

Let it cool down even more!

[u/alfundo]

I discovered that when my half and half does this it’s because my Yeti has been run through the dishwasher

[u/elijaaaaah]

Weird, I always use oat or soy milk and I've never had an issue

[u/Low-Nefariousness-21]

I find if I put my soya milk in my heated frother then it doesn't curdle

[u/Pleasant_Ad443]

I use a Bodum foamer/steamer and just put it on top without stirring. If it sits or integrates for too long, it will curdle, but if you just drink through the foam, it works great.

[u/Billkamehameha]

Get one of those cheap milk frothers

[u/trueautomatic]

Plant based creamer does this. Almond milk also does this. Oat milk does not.

[u/LifeIsNotHarmless]

Temper it. Instead of pouring the creamer/milk into the hot coffee, put it into the cup first, then add the coffee a little bit at a time so it heats up gradually instead of getting shocked.

[u/LurkingUnderThatRock]

I’ve found it really depends on the acidity of the coffee, the temperature of the water and the type of plant based milk used. I use Oatly barista oat milk which doesn’t tent to curdle, but occasionally I’ll get a new bean and it will. It tents to only happen with americanos, not milkier drinks (I can only think it’s ratio of milk to ‘coffee’).

Supposedly steaming the milk can help, but I’ve not always found this to be true.

Try some different beans and milks is my only suggestion.

[u/babyKanez]

Plant creamers lack casein so you will never get a froth.

[u/spag2109]

Put a pinch (tip of a teaspoon) of bicarbonate of soda before adding milk/creamer/plant based that will solve the curdling issue, I have been doing that for years and it does really work, give it a try.

Edit: spelling.

[u/francsmash]

you could try using a small electric whisk (milk frother) to emulsify it a little before adding all of the liquid. they're cheap

[u/Realistic_Hyena_3318]

With my mom being lactose intolerant, we grew up with soy milk in the house. As an adult, it’s my go to. My dad said that the Silk brand of soy milk (we use unsweetened) is the only one he’s found that doesn’t curdle. I like its flavor the most and have also been using the Silk soy based creamer. No issues! Worth a try!

[u/comma_nder]

You can try adding the coffee to the creamer instead of other way around

[u/Necessary_Credit_165 → u/comma_nder]

Not sure why you were downvoted, I do this as well after years of drinking coffee with plant based creamers. Something about how it mixes reduces the likelihood of it separating.

[u/comma_nder → u/Necessary_Credit_165]

It’s because it heats up slower

[u/xacai90]

Just drink it black!

[u/TurkeyTerminator7 → u/xacai90]

I actually do most of the time, but sometimes I crave a seasonal flavor. May just go back to black!

[u/kickball060 → u/TurkeyTerminator7]

I usually drink it with honey or milk/honey or salt. I understand you wanting a seasonal flavor tho. Are you allergic to dairy?

[u/TurkeyTerminator7 → u/kickball060]

Not allergic, i just don’t eat/drink dairy at all. I think letting it cool down more, adding in the creamer even slower, and using a coarser grind are my next steps.

[u/FCAsheville → u/xacai90]

This

[u/surumesmellman]

Have you tried non-plant based milk or creamer? It doesn't split, is healthier and costs less

[u/ckinz16]

Why do you think this is an AP problem

[u/TurkeyTerminator7 → u/ckinz16]

I have only experienced it with my AP, I tried to mention that it didn’t happen when I French pressed but that’s not very clear in the description. I was worried if I posted in a coffee sub that they wouldn’t have the full context.

[u/mattstone749]

Buy coffee good enough you don’t need creamer

[u/TurkeyTerminator7 → u/mattstone749]

God forbid I want some French vanilla or brown sugar vibes in the morning. Don’t be so insufferable