When there's no alternative
As with all my break ups, I found it hardest to let go of milk when I was eating out or travelling. But unlike most break ups, I never thought of it beforehand! I kept finding myself sat there, alone, staring at my black coffee wondering if it was worth it.
The upside is that it eventually led bestie and I to discover coffees that are actually better black! I kid you not. Bestie went from complete aversion to insisting on always going black first, actively running the risk that she 'never goes back'.
It happened...twice
- Staying at an AirBnB in Paris, we were loving the host-provided percolated coffee 'sans lait' (Fr. "without milk"). We found some Alpro Oat Professional a few days later only to be disappointed, through no fault of Alpro's actually. The coffee was just suprisingly better on its own*.
- Working at a resort in Turkey, we quickly learned that Turkish coffee goes with water and an addictive little sweet treat. No milk needed. But the incredibly warm waiting staff insisted on going out and buying lactose-free milk every week for the two clueless westerners, leaving us in the conundrum of having to drink our coffee our way, while preferring it their way!
Better straight up
We had a harder time of it when we moved to Midhurst, West Sussex, aka middle of nowhere, aka little piece of English Countryside Heaven. The super cute French boulangerie has amazing coffee but the loveably, stereotypically, traditionally French boulanger from the Loire Valley frowns upon hipster milk alternatives. We fell instantly in love with his pain au chocolat, made the way only the French can. And we knew his coffee was the best. But not black! What to do? Secretly get our coffee from Costa? We tried. It wasn't love.
In true heavenly style, unexpected blessings were to be found at the local Tesco Express! Oatly Barista sitting on the bottom shelf, directly under the Lavazza Intensity 5, our second best, home-brewed love. When we weren't brewing at home, Oatly stood to service for our French coffee too, thanks to Frank Green. The only beautifully efficient travel mug that really does not spill (see our coffee mug comparison) and keeps coffee hot for longer than seems natural.
Take it with you
It was even more challenging making a plan in Zanzibar when I was there for a friend's 40th. With warmth at least on par with our Turkish adopted hotel family, I felt bad even asking our Tanzanian caregivers. The island just did not seem to have lactose-free options. And sadly the coffee was good but a little too "wild" (bestie's description of strong coffees that need milk-taming).
Bestie herself happened to be in Copenhagen at the time, unfashionably late for the 40th but fortunately late enough for me to text a desperate plea: "Can you bring oat milk?". And that's how she learnt the Danish word for oats - havre - and what oats look like!
Two cartons in her checked luggage + the most beautiful beach bar + salads we could eat! + real African hospitality and passion for what they do made that Zanzibar experience → our most idyllic holiday yet.
Nevermind Wally, find Barista!
Oatly has a tool to help you find coffee shops that stock their Barista edition. So wherever you are in the world, you never have to compromise on coffee just the way you love it! ♡
*The tool doesn't include supermarkets but after a week of enjoying our coffee black, a Google stalker ad told me the Monoprix down the road had Oatly Barista (thanks Google... this time). It wasn't necessary but I tried it anyway. That handome hero never disappoints, once again he took our coffee from good to great!