We all agree that coffee is one of the most important beverages to be enjoyed in everyday life. However, there are some people who experience an issue with the taste of coffee when consumed in soy milk.
This phenomenon is common to all soy milk brands, even if they don’t include any genetically modified organisms (GMO) in their ingredients.
The problem with soy milk, like many other dairy products, is that the proteins curdle when exposed to the acid in coffee.
If you’ve ever wondered why your soy lattes have curdled in your coffee, we have the answer for you.
Soy milk’s protein is a protein called casein, which forms curds, or clumps, that are not able to mix with other ingredients, such as coffee, to create a smooth mixture.
What is soy milk?
Soy milk is one of the most popular non-dairy milk alternatives on the market, and for good reason: it’s delicious, versatile and a great way to save money.
But that doesn’t mean soy milk is as natural as the label on the carton might suggest. Soy milk is made from soybeans—the same beans that are used to make tofu, soy sauce and the nut butter known as edamame.
Soy milk has many flavors and is used in many food recipes. It is also used in certain beauty products and cooking. Soy milk is not the same as regular milk and is not lactose-free.
Soy milk has a different taste and structure to regular milk and has a variety of uses. Soy milk is a good source of protein and contains no cholesterol.
Reasons why soy milk curdles
This article is about reasons why the soy milk curdles. As you know, soy milk has become a popular beverage recently, and it can be found in your local grocery store.
So, what is curdling? Curdling is the process of separating the fat and water in the soy milk, and it is often done by heating the milk to a certain temperature. When the milk reaches this temperature, the fat and water separate, and the fat becomes butter-like in appearance.
It’s a nutritional and tasty drink, especially for vegetarians. You don’t need to add sugar to soy milk because it already has a sweet taste, and you can also add fruits and flavors to it.
So, here it is;
- As you may know, soy milk is the byproduct of pressing soybeans. At various stages of processing, the beans go through a series of steps that depend on the type of bean being processed.
During the first step, the beans are blended and heated. At this stage, the beans begin to form a protein-rich cream-like substance.
- Soy milk curdle when it gets hot. Why? Because soy milk has protein molecules in it, and proteins don’t like to be hot.
- It’s a milk that is made from soybeans, but the milk is not allowed to curdle in the same way cows milk does, because the soybeans have been processed differently by having their proteins broken down into smaller pieces by boiling.
- The first is the presence of milk enzymes called lipolytic and proteolytic enzymes in the milk, which are present in raw milk, cow’s milk, and plain soy milk, but not to the same extent in the processed varieties.
How to stop soy milk curdling?
Soy milk is a great source of protein, but if you’re not careful, it can curdle, or separate into a solid mass, when it is heated. What causes this process?
It all has to do with the way soy proteins are linked together, and how they form curd. When you make a soy milk, you use either a soy milk concentrate or a soy milk with added calcium.
milk that is not heated properly will separate because the proteins in the milk do not form a strong enough bond to hold everything together.
The solution is to heat the soy milk slowly, and stir constantly to prevent the curd from forming.
Is it fine to drink curdled soy milk in coffee?
Soy milk is more commonly known as soymilk, and it is a fairly popular milk substitute, especially in the Asian community.
With the rising temperatures during the summer months, many people are turning to soy milk in their coffee rather than heavy cream, and some are even adding it to their cereal.
The question is, is it fine to drink curdled soy milk in coffee? The answer is both yes and no. The good news is, there is no harmful bacteria in soy milk, so there’s no reason to worry about it.
The bad news is, curdled soy milk doesn’t impart much flavor since it has a very long shelf life, which isn’t a good thing for a beverage. So, make sure you use it in moderation and avoid it with coffee.
Soy milk contains calcium and protein, which is why it’s used in many recipes as a substitute for cow’s milk.
However, it’s made by fermenting soybeans into a ripened liquid, and that’s why it has a slightly different taste than milk.
Some people complain that the taste is too strong, but soy milk is relatively high in protein and calcium, so it can be used in various kinds of food and drinks.
Benefits of drinking soy milk
The benefits of soy milk are finally catching up with the dairy alternatives. Soy and almond milk have been around for a while, but until recently they were considered to be reserved for the health conscious and their lactose intolerant friends, or those with the odd taste for something a little “earthy”.
So, here it is!
- The main benefit of drinking soy milk is the fact that it is a healthy alternative to cow’s milk. Soy milk is relatively low in calories compared to cow’s milk.
- Soy milk contains a high amount of protein and calcium and has a low allergenicity and no cholesterol which can be beneficial to people with food allergies and lactose intolerance.
- Soy milk also has the ability to lower cholesterol in the body.
- Soy milk contains higher levels of isoflavones, a phytoestrogen, and is a great source of protein.
- Soy milk contains a variety of vitamins and minerals, including calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc, and also contains small amounts of vitamins A, B-12, and D.
- Soy milk is also good plant-based source of calcium, and has a healthy fat composition, which is great for those on a low-fat diet.
How do you know if soy milk has gone bad?
If you’re on the lookout for a convenient way to enjoy a cup of coffee at home, then you’re going to love soy milk.
It is a beverage that’s super easy to make, produces a creamy, full-bodied cup of coffee, and comes in a variety of flavors, from classic vanilla to chocolate and strawberry.
But the major downside to soy milk is that it tends to have a short shelf life—about three to five days, according to many experts.
If you’ve opened a carton of soy milk and it’s starting to turn, smells funny, or develops spots, you should consider discarding it and consuming the rest of the milk in its original packaging.
Soy milk is a great alternative to dairy milk, but it isn’t all good. The most common issue with soy milk is that it can separate after opening.
How do you know if soy milk has gone bad? Signs you have a bad batch of soy milk are that it tastes rubbery or is discolored.
