Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex who is married to Prince Harry, has followed a mostly plant-based diet for several years.  She recently announced that she will invest an undisclosed amount in a vegan start up Clevr Blends, which is selling instant SuperLattes made with oat milk.  Clevr is a woman-led company focused on offering specialized wellness products that contribute to a healthier planet and a more just society.  They offer a number of different flavors of instant lattes, where you just add water. In addition to oat milk powder, they use coconut milk powder, monk fruit (a natural, no-calorie sweetener) and various spices. They use only organic or non-gmo ingredients and are working diligently on improving the sustainability of their packaging.

Markle said “This investment is in support of a passionate female entrepreneur who prioritizes building community alongside her business.  I’m proud to invest in Hannah’s [the owner’s] commitment to sourcing ethical ingredients and creating a product that I personally love and [that] has a holistic approach to wellness. I believe in her and I believe in her company.”

Oat milk drinks are among the latest new plant-based products, popping up at coffee shops and grocery stores all over the place.  Oat milk is made by soaking oats, blending them with water, and then straining out the oats themselves.  While oat milk is naturally sweet from the oat starches that are released in the process, many commercial brands add sweeteners, along with oils, and other ingredients to for texture and to make it shelf stable.  Many brands also add vitamins such as Vitamin D and B12, and calcium, to make the milk equivalent to cow’s milk in this regard.  Oat milk brands are available at most major grocery stores and online. Brands vary in terms of their protein, fat and fiber content, and some brands use organic ingredients, so it’s worth reading the nutrition facts label to choose what is important to you, and to compare with other plant-based milks, such as soy milk, almond milk or hemp milk for example, until you find the style and brand that you like best.

Our plant-based shopping guide, In Pursuit of Great Food, has helpful information on understanding nutrition facts and ingredients labels, and choosing plant-based products, if you need some extra guidance on this.