Is avil milk a plant-based milk, and how does it compare?
Avil milk (also spelled aval milk) is not a plant-based milk. It is a sweet drink from Kerala, India, usually blended from flattened rice (avil), ripe banana, milk and nuts. It is closer to a milkshake than to almond or soy milk, so the better comparison is with a banana milkshake.
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What is avil milk?
Avil milk is a street drink from the Malabar region of Kerala. Avil (aval) is flattened or beaten rice, similar to poha. The drink blends ripe banana, milk and often nuts such as peanuts, then topped with the flakes. It is served as a breakfast shake or dessert, and instant mixes are sold online too. The old text on this page called it a milk made from the seed of an avil tree and a cow product with probiotics. Both claims are wrong, and we removed them.
Is avil milk a plant-based milk?
No. Plant-based milks such as soy, almond, oat and coconut are drinks made by blending a plant with water. Avil milk is a recipe that normally uses ordinary dairy milk as its base. Some cooks make a dairy-free version with plant milk, which is a variation, not the standard drink.
How does it differ from plant milks?
| Avil milk | Plant-based milk | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Shake of banana, milk, flattened rice, nuts | Plant blended with water |
| Base | Usually dairy milk | Soy, almond, oat, coconut and others |
| Texture | Thick, with soft rice flakes | Thin liquid |
| Allergens | Milk, often peanuts or tree nuts | Depends on the plant |
What is the nutrition of avil milk?
It varies a lot. The amount of sugar, nuts, milk fat and banana changes the calories, and recipes and shops differ. We found no official nutrition data, so we give no numbers. Sweetened versions with added sugar, syrup or ice cream will be higher in sugar and calories. Ask the seller what goes in it.
Can you make it dairy-free or lighter?
- Use a plant milk you tolerate and check it for allergens.
- Skip added sugar, since ripe banana already sweetens it.
- Leave out the nuts if you have a nut allergy.
People with allergies, diabetes or a restricted diet should ask a doctor or dietitian.
People also ask
What is avil milk made of?
Usually flattened rice (avil or aval), ripe banana, milk and nuts, blended into a thick sweet drink.
Is avil milk dairy-free?
Not by default. It normally uses dairy milk, though plant milk can be used in a homemade version.
Is avil milk healthy?
It depends on the recipe and sugar added. We found no official nutrition data, so check what goes in it.
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